One of the defining on-again, off-again relationships of a generation was initially meant to just be on-again, according to the executive producer who oversaw the relationship between Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) on a little show called Friends.
Speaking to Metro, sitcom mastermind Kevin S. Bright revealed the writer’s room charged into the story line with the full intention of coupling those two up and keeping them that way, but discovered that having the two of them happily in love was… well, boring as hell.
Discussing Rachel’s Season 3 decision to take “a break”, and Ross’ decision to almost immediately sleep with someone else, Bright said “it wasn’t planned that way, that came a little bit later.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ3sbUCA71Q
Bright acknowledged that the show’s fandom desperately wanted the pair to be together, but said keeping them as an item would make the show as fun as manoeuvering a couch up a staircase.
“When we got them together when the first kiss happened we go, ‘Wow, the air has kind of gone out of the balloon.’” Bright said.
“There wasn’t that sexual tension anymore.”
The result was an aeon of unresolved chemistry, which Bright says ultimately made the end result that much sweeter. Praising writers Marta Kauffman and David Crane, Bright said “as soon as everyone got their wish the wish was taken away.
“It made it so much better when they did get together.”
Delayed gratification. What a bloody thing.
As for an actual full-on Friends revival, don’t hold your breath. Instead, remember that time Schwimmer appeared to vouch for rumours the cast slept with each other behind the scenes. You’re welcome.
