Serving as the perfect time capsule of the 90s, Friends takes fans back to simpler times of answering machines and iconic Jennifer Aniston hairdos. The quirky fivesome of the show would eventually become the viewers’ comfort companions and the endearing mishaps of Rachel Green’s serving habits, a routine alarm for laughter. 

This is why the beloved sitcom is impossible to imagine without the legendary Murder Mystery actress. Yet, it hurts to even think that fans may have missed out on seeing her as Rachel because of another show.

Jennifer Aniston almost lost her iconic role because of this show

Back in 1994, Aniston was at the start of her Hollywood career. Besides Friends, she had landed five other roles for which she had even shot pilot episodes. One particular show that she had done six episodes of was CBS’s Muddling Through, in which she played the leading lady’s daughter. If that show had seen better ratings after its launch, Aniston may have sat out Friends instead!

Without his chemistry with Aniston, David Schwimmer’s Ross would have never served up such a perfect portrayal of a complex relationship. But in reality, the 54-year-old was even absent from early photo sessions for the show because of the CBS show.

Makes one wonder what went so wrong with Muddling Through that the show was dropped. After all, the plot for the show could have been a game changer for women-centric shows.

Did NBC sabotage Muddling Through to favor Friends?

Based on the life of an ex-convict, Muddling Through boasted three women in its main cast. Besides ending up with a bad time slot, the show also owes its demise to Friends’ makers NBC. Because the production house strategically bombarded their channel with popular movies at the same time as Muddling Through aired. CBS was helpless because such is the nature of show business.

Although CBS later came out with another major contender for Friends, the NBC sitcom’s legendary status remains unmatched to this day. And it could not have been possible without the very talented Jennifer Aniston of course!

If Jennifer Aniston had to be replaced for Rachel’s role, which actress do you think could have taken her place instead? Share your picks in the comments.