One of the most acclaimed shows worldwide, the NBC sitcom Friends, eulogized the definition of ideal friendship in its progression across 10 seasons. The show had successfully decoded the best moments of on-screen romances and platonic friendships alike. Yet, what remained undisclosed was the proposal of transforming the platonic friendship of Joey and Phoebe into a hookup storyline within the show.

The pitchers of the proposition were none other than the stars themselves, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow.

Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow’s plan for the hookup story

In an interview with the PEOPLE, Matt LeBlanc once revealed about the hookup story that never came to fruition in Friends. Both Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow had reportedly pitched the idea of their characters engaging in casual intimacy throughout the show. He confessed how the scenario would unfold where everyone realizes “Joey and Phoebe coming out of a broom closet together.”.

Matt LeBlanc continued and said how everyone was like, “Nah”. Although the characters were alike in more than one way owing to their “narcissism”, the idea was cut loose. While one can be grateful for the snub of the proposal, it also makes one ponder how the show would have unfolded had it been considered.

Even though Joey-Phoebe’s hookup story never attained fulfillment, their friendship did initiate some major goals.

The one where Joey shared his food with Phoebe

On-screen romances have a way of igniting admiration, however, the same cannot be said for friendships. Although Lisa Kudrow did not vouch for her fame, her depiction in Friends had charted its conquest for inaugurating some of the wholesome moments in the alliance. Even when the world knows “Joey doesn’t share his food”, one such moment was in a feature where he did share during Phoebe’s pregnancy. The scene was from the fourth season, episode 16.

From the initiation of the show, Phoebe had been depicted as a vegetarian. However, her pregnancy had nurtured her cravings for meat. Owing to Phoebe’s overwhelming remorse for causing harm to numerous animals, Joey had temporarily abandoned his meat cravings to ensure only one person’s consumption had an impact. Joey foregoing his meals still stands as the most remarkable testament to his friendship with Phoebe.

What are your thoughts on Joey-Phoebe’s pitch for a hookup story? Let us know in the comments below!