8. Original Show Names
Shows start as ideas in one person’s head, a writer or producer. They usually take on many names before the cameras start rolling. Friends was no exception. Nodding to the Central Perk coffeehouse location, they almost named the show Insomnia Café. That first version of the show, which sounds dark by comparison, became Friends Like Us after NBC bought the pilot. For a minute, they considered Across the Hall, as suggested by NBC president Warren Littlefield. When they started shooting, Six of One was the name on the schedule, but by the time they aired the show it was simply, Friends.