The Tales Behind the Screen
Behind every beloved show that’s graced our screens lies drowned conversations on near-cancellations, last-minute casting changes, and moments that could have erased these cultural touchstones from existence entirely. Do you know any?
The Almost-Missing ‘Friend’
Jennifer Aniston almost didn’t get to be Rachel Green on Friends. And the reason? She was tied up with another show, Muddling Through when Friends was starting up. Luckily for Aniston and for us, Muddling Through got canceled just two weeks before Friends aired its pilot.
The Best of Rachel (Mashup) | Friends | TBS by TBS
The Sopranos’ Musical Misunderstanding
Apparently, the logo for The Sopranos has an interesting backstory. At first, designer Brettx Wicks thought he was designing for a show about opera singers. So, to clear up any mix-ups, he intentionally added a firearm to the logo. Obviously, it turned out to be prominent.
The Sopranos: Most Misunderstood Scene by the yellow king
Friends’ Rags to Riches Story
Before Matt LeBlanc landed the role of Joey Tribbiani on Friends, he was broke, having only $11 to his name. So the show’s timing was perfect for him, as he was struggling to make ends meet. Funny enough, that role helped him rack up a net worth of $80 million.
Friends (1994–2004), Warner Bros. Television
Mad Men’s Million-Dollar Rejection
In a huge career move, Thomas Jane passed on the Don Draper role because he said he “Didn’t want to do TV.” That gave a shot to Jon Hamm, who ended up turning the character into a cultural icon. Ironically, Jane later came back to TV with HBO’s short-lived show Hung.
Lionsgate, Mad Men (2007–2015)
The Golden Girls’ Fashionable Secret
A flirtatious Southern belle, Rue McClanahan, who played Blanche Devereaux, has kept her character’s wardrobe from The Golden Girls. Her contract had a certain clause that let her hold onto all those amazing outfits. So now she’s got a little piece of TV fashion history with her.
NBC, The Golden Girls (1985-1992)
Happy Days’ Draft Dodge
Ron Howard’s time on Happy Days wasn’t only about acting. It was a brainy decision to dodge the 1970s Vietnam draft. Having a kinda low draft number and no college deferment, he grabbed the role to get a work deferment. This allowed him to start his career in entertainment.
ABC Television, Wikimedia Commons
A Different World’s Research Trip
Producer Debbie Allen made sure A Different World kept it real. And how? She took the writing team on field trips to historically Black colleges and universities. For instance, they visited Morehouse and Spelman to understand the real campus issues, which boosted the show’s authenticity.
The X-Files’ Height Solution
You may have noticed the height difference between David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. However, the creators of The X-Files used a clever technique to make this look visually appealing on screen. Since there was a 10-inch gap between them, Anderson would often stand on an apple box during scenes.
David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson Teases 'X-Files' Season 11 by extratv
Buffy’s Google Legacy
Buffy the Vampire Slayer made television history as the first show to use “Google” as a verb on TV. This occurred in an episode that aired on October 15, 2002, when the character Willow, played by Alyson Hannigan, asked Buffy, “Have you Googled her yet?”
Alyson Hannigan Uses 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Props As Halloween Decorations by Dish Nation
SNL’s Missed Connection
Did you know that Jim Carey auditioned multiple times for Saturday Night Live but never made the cut? He auditioned three times in the early 1980s. But this rejection didn’t hinder his career, as he became known for films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask.
Jim Carrey Monologue: Outer Space - Saturday Night Live by Saturday Night Live
The Office’s Accidental Star
Before Phyllis Smith became Phyllis Vance, she was actually the assistant casting director. And this is how that went: During the auditions, she would take actors through their scripts. She was so good the producers created a role just for her. Another fun fact: she was also a cheerleader for the St. Louis Cardinals.
I Love Lucy’s Smoking Sponsor
This show’s smoking scenes weren’t just random. They actually had a promotional backing. The show's sponsors were Philip Morris cigarettes, which is why you often saw Lucy, Desi, Ethel, and Fred puffing away during the episodes. It also included extended commercials featuring Lucille Ball.
I Love Lucy Philip Morris Advertisements/Sponsor Placement (1952) by Windows OS
Cheers’ Method Acting
Ted Danson worked cocktail after cocktail to get into his role as Sam Malone on Cheers. He attended classes at a bartending school for two weeks to get it right. Look at that dedication. Cheers ran from 1982 to 1993 and is regarded as one of the best TV comedies ever.
Frasier’s Emmy Record
Kelsey Grammer pulled off something remarkable with his role as Dr. Frasier Crane. He became the first actor ever to get an Emmy nomination for playing the same character on three different shows: Cheers, Frasier, and Wings. He also received ten Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor.
Breaking Bad’s Hidden Message
In the second season of Breaking Bad, the episode titles had an intriguing hidden message. If you take the first, fourth, tenth, and thirteenth episodes, they spell out “Seven Thirty-Seven Down Over ABQ.” This was a hint about the big plane crash that happened in the season finale.
Mad Men’s Cable TV Breakthrough
In 2007, Mad Men and Damages made history by becoming the first basic cable series to get an Emmy nomination for Best Drama. Both Mad Men, which aired on AMC, and Damages, which aired on FX, got the nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. This was at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Mad Men (2007–2015), Lionsgate Television
Homer’s Scripted Annoyance
The writers of The Simpsons have a funny way of referring to Homer’s catchphrase in their scripts. Here’s how. Instead of really writing “D’oh,” they just put “annoyed grunt.” Still, Dan Castellaneta’s delivery turned that simple note into one of the most recognizable lines on TV.
The O’Neill Newspaper Connection
It’s pretty wild that Ed O’Neill’s characters in both Married... with Children as Al Bundy and Modern Family as Jay Pritchett are actually shown reading the same newspaper. This is a fictional publication, often referred to as the Los Angeles Times, in the shows.
Ed O'Neill discusses his character Jay on Modern Family - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG by FoundationINTERVIEWS
Chris Pratt’s Accidental Success
The creators of Parks and Recreation didn’t actually plan for Chris Pratt to stick around as a regular. His character, Andy Dwyer, was originally intended to be a one-off role. But of course, after seeing Pratt’s performance, they decided to make him more involved in the Parks department.
Parks and Recreation, Universal Television
Family Matters’ Theme Song Switch
When Family Matters debuted, it used Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” as its theme song. Later episodes replaced it with “As Days Go By,” written by Jesse Frederick, which became the show’s signature tune. This is said to be due to the shift from ABC to CBS.
Family Matters Opening Credits and Theme Song by Steven (MechaGodzi11a)
Full House’s Borrowed Catchphrase
Did you think Coulier’s legendary catchphrase “Cut. It. Out.” from Full House was his own idea? No, it wasn’t. He picked it up from his buddy Cendrowski, who now directs The Big Bang Theory. Coulier still likes to joke that he owes Cendrowski some cash for using it, though.
Full House, Warner Bros. Television
Rhoda’s Beauty Dilemma
The Mary Tyler Moore Show nearly didn’t cast Valerie Harper because they thought she was too good-looking. It might sound weird, but the producers were actually looking for someone who seemed more “unkempt” for Rhoda’s role. Eventually, Harper’s talent just had to convince them.
Valerie Harper on getting cast as Rhoda on The Mary Tyler Moore Show by FoundationINTERVIEWS
The Jeffersons’ Double Life
For two years after joining The Jeffersons, Marla Gibbs, who played Florence Johnston, kept her job as a customer service agent at United Airlines. She juggled both her work and filming the show, and a lot of customers would even recognize her voice during calls.
Marla Gibbs on the cancellation of The Jeffersons - EMMYTVLEGENDS by FoundationINTERVIEWS
The Brady Bunch’s Missing Toilet
We all know how, back in the 1970s, TV censors were super strict about what could be shown. For example, in The Brady Bunch, created by Sherwood Schwartz, the bathroom was missing a toilet because the network rules didn’t allow toilets to appear on screen. Weird, right?
The Brady Bunch - Kidnapped! by CBS
The Brady Bunch’s Missing Toilet (Cont.)
Even older shows like Leave It to Beaver only hinted at bathrooms by showing the tanks and never the actual toilets. In fact, Mike Lookinland, who played Bobby Brady, jokingly pointed out how silly it was to have a bathroom without a toilet.
Paramount Television, The Brady Bunch (1969–1974)
Dallas’ Record-Breaking Mystery
The “Who Shot JR?” episode of Dallas is known for being one of the biggest cliffhangers. When J.R. Ewing got shot at the end of season 3, everyone was left hanging for months. But when they revealed the answer, 83 million people in the US tuned in to watch.
Who shot J.R.? 40 years ago we found out by CBS Mornings
Gilmore Girls’ Marathon Filming
Remember those town meeting scenes in Gilmore Girls? They were a real challenge to shoot. Sometimes, they had to film for 20 hours just to get all the reaction shots from the quirky people of Stars Hollow. Town meetings were held weekly, led by the town selectman, Taylor Doose.
Dance Marathon | Gilmore Girls by Gilmore Girls Brasil
House’s Hamilton Connection
Years before Hamilton blew up, Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared in two episodes of House. He played the character Juan Alvarez, who was Dr. House’s roommate at The Mayfield Psychiatric Hospital during the season six premiere, “Broken.” Hamilton is also a musical that tells the story of Alexander Hamilton.
Phoebe’s Dark Origins
When this beloved show was called “Friends Like Us,” Phoebe was originally thought of as a goth girl. This darker version scared Janeane Garofalo away from taking on the role. But then, the character changed into the quirky Phoebe Buffay we all love today.
Friends (1994–2004), Warner Bros. Television
That ’70s Show’s Teenage Deception
Mila Kunis was only 14 when she tried out for That ’70s Show, but the producers wanted actors to be at least 18. So, she smartly told them she would turn 18 on her next birthday; she just didn’t specify which birthday. Question: Didn’t they need verification documents, though?
Mila Kunis | That 70s Show | 1998 by Ashton and Mila
That ’70s Show’s Teenage Deception (Cont.)
Also, in a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Kunis said, “I’d like to make it very clear now that I did lie.” But by the time the team found out her actual age, her amazing performance had already made a great impression on them. The show needed her.
“Friends” Connections in “Raymond”
Apparently, the casting for Everybody Loves Raymond had some “Friends” connections. Jane Sibbett, who played Carol, was originally offered the role of Debra. Maggie Wheeler, known for Janice, tried out for that same part, too. She ended up showing up as Linda, one of Debra’s friends.
Jane Sibbett talks about being Carol on 'Friends' by Sunrise
G.I. Joe’s TV Revolution
What started as just a toy line turned into a game-changing TV show in the 1980s. The series followed a top-notch anti-terrorist team taking on the evil Cobra organization. With comic books thrown in, the approach set the stage for turning toy brands into hit TV franchises.
Deadwood’s Roman Origins
Creator David Milch initially pitched Deadwood to HBO as a show about Roman law enforcers. Once the executives mentioned they were working on Rome, he flipped the idea into a series set in the American Old West. Deadwood premiered on March 21, 2004, and received widespread acclaim.
Deadwood: An Imaginative Reality w/ David Milch by Flaccidus Minimus
General Hospital’s Record-Breaking Romance
The wedding episode of Luke and Laura on November 17, 1981, went down in TV history, bringing in over 30 million viewers. That made it the highest-rated hour in soap opera history. This storyline turned General Hospital into a total cultural phenomenon and scored several Emmy Awards.
The Flintstones’ Gender Switch
Do you remember Pebbles Flintstone? The character was supposed to be a boy named Fred Jr. at first, but a smart move changed everything in animation. The folks at Ideal Toy Company convinced Hanna-Barbera that having a girl character would rake in more cash from merchandise. Hence the switch.
The Flintstones S5 Ep 2 - Body Swaps by TheTransformation&BodySwapChannel
Gunther’s Real Coffee Expertise
James Michael Tyler, the guy who played Gunther, the barista at Central Perk on Friends, actually had real coffee shop experience. Before he became famous for that role, he was one of the first baristas at The Bourgeois Pig, an indie coffee shop in Hollywood, starting around 1990.
House’s British Secret
Hugh Laurie’s take on Dr. Gregory House was spot-on that show creator David Shore didn’t even realize he was British during auditions. Producer Bryan Singer literally called him “an incredible American actor.” By the time the show wrapped up, Laurie was raking in $700,000 per episode.
Heel & Toe Films, House (2004–2012)
The Office’s Near-Cancellation Saga
NBC almost dropped The Office after the first season didn’t do well, but iTunes sales saved it. What started off as a rough adaptation of the British version eventually hit its stride, thanks to characters like Dwight. Rainn Wilson even went the extra mile by growing real beets on set.
Battlestar Galactica’s September 2011 Connection
The new Battlestar Galactica took a wild turn because of real-life events. Bryan Singer was all set to start filming in just nine weeks when the September 2011 event happened. The aftermath changed everything, and Ronald D. Moore ended up completely reinventing the show.
ATX Television Festival 2017 - Ronald D. Moore talks Battlestar Galactica | 6/2017 by FOX 7 Austin
Mad Men’s Long Journey
Matthew Weiner wrote the pilot for Mad Men back in 1999, but it got turned down by every major network. Many executives hesitated about the show’s focus on the advertising industry and its nuanced character studies. It was then chosen in 2006 after AMC decided to give it a shot.
John Krasinski’s Television Secret
During season 3 of The Office, John Krasinski had to rock a wig to keep Jim Halpert’s classic hairstyle. He had to shave his head for his role in Leatherheads, so the NBC producers decided to use a wig to keep that recognizable golden retriever-like hair looking the same.
Friends’ Iconic Logo Origins
The classic Friends logo, featuring a steaming coffee cup, was created by artist Deborah Naysee using brush and ink. This simple design really nailed the vibe of the show—friendship, life in New York City, and chilling at Central Perk. It became just as famous as the catchy theme song.
How to draw Friends Logo ✏️ by ARTY SMARTY PARTY CREATIONS
Fresh Prince’s Eager Student
In the early episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith, who played a smart street kid from West Philly, was super dedicated to his role as he literally memorized the entire script. People noticed he would even mouth his co-stars’ lines while they were filming.
