For ten seasons, 'Friends' took over television. Despite the fact that it ended in the early 2000s, the show's impact can still be felt today. Just look at the numbers for its reunion special on HBO Max, they truly speak for themselves.
Fans are still amazed as to what went on behind the scenes of the show. There were so many moments, like the time Matthew Perry lost it on Matt LeBlanc for flubbing his line during 'Bamboozled'.
Turns out, there was a lot more that took place behind the scenes, including a moment between Matt LeBlanc and Jennifer Aniston. Although fans loved the moment, showing how close the two were, some fans pointed out that such a moment would not fly in this day and age.
Matt LeBlanc Had A Secret Crush On Jennifer Aniston When The Show Started
It has become common knowledge thanks to the 'Friends' reunion that both David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston had a crush on one another behind the scenes. This caused some serious chaos among 'Friends' fans, who loved their relationship as Ross and Rachel on the show.
As it turns out, David Schwimmer wasn't the only one to crush on Aniston, and we're not talking about Gunther either...
In the tell-all book, 'Friends... Til' the End', Matt LeBlanc would also reveal that he had a certain crush at the start of the show, on none other than Jennifer Aniston. LeBlanc would reveal that he didn't feel too bad about it, given that everyone was and still is crushing on the star.
"Now I had a little crush on Jen in the very beginning, but I think the whole world did too, so what are you going to do?"
Despite his off-camera crush, LeBlanc would reveal that he had no interest in forming a relationship with Aniston on-screen. In truth, both stars strongly opposed their romance storyline.
On-Screen, Both Matt LeBlanc And Jennifer Aniston Were Strongly Against Putting Joey And Rachel Together
Author Kelsey Miller of 'I’ll Be There for You: The One About Friends', revealed alongside People that the decision to have Joey and Rachel together was not a popular one, especially amongst the cast.
“When [creators Marta] Kauffman and [David] Crane first approached the cast in Season Eight with the idea of Joey falling in love with Rachel, everyone balked."
Executive Producer Kevin S. Bright would also reveal that LeBlanc felt as though it was out of character for Joey to do something like that.
“In the beginning, Matt LeBlanc did not want to do that story,” Bright said. “He was very firmly against it, saying that he’s Ross’ friend, and that the type of friend that Joey is would never go and take someone else’s girlfriend.”
Jennifer Aniston would also make it clear that she wanted the storyline to come across as a physical attraction and not something deeper, like love. That would make things that much awkward. Ultimately, the goal of the story was to make it reflect on other storylines, like when Rachel fell pregnant.
Ultimately, it wasn't the most liked storyline and the same goes for what the cast thought behind the scenes.
Matt LeBlanc Kissed Jennifer Aniston During An Interview Backstage On 'Friends' And Fans Think It Wouldn't Fly Today
It started off a regular interview, with Jennifer Aniston walking backstage in 1998. All of a sudden, Matt LeBlanc pops out and puts a huge kiss on Rachel during the interview. Aniston was smiling and blushing, it took her moment to get adjusted again for the interview, while LeBlanc walked away after the kiss while looking back at his co-star.
Fans loved the moment for the part, as it was viewed by over 8 million fans. However, one of the comments, which had 25K likes, stated that such behavior might not fly today.
"20 years later Matt would've been fired, been called a rap--t and sued."
Of course, the fan was referencing the current culture of today.
Others took a positive approach to the video, loving how close the two really were.
"Matt said that he had a huge crush on Jennifer when they first started the show so yeah, I bet he was really happy that day."
"Gunther broke the whole set after seeing this."
"Imagine being in a position where it's ok to go out and kiss Jennifer Aniston just like that."
Oh, to be a fly on the wall behind the scenes during the show's epic ten-year run!
