‘Friends’ Nearly Recast Emily Because Chemistry Was ‘Like Clapping with 1 Hand’ Compared to Jennifer Aniston

Friends director James Burrows opens up about a surprising casting decision that almost happened.

In his new memoir Directed by James Burrows, the 82-year-old director strongly hinted that the ’90s sitcom almost remade Helen Baxendale, who played Ross Geller’s (David Schwimmer) love interest–turned–wife–turned–ex Emily. Reason? She just wasn’t as funny as star Jennifer Aniston, who played Ross’ “lobster” Rachel Green.

“She was lovely but not particularly witty,” Burrows wrote of Baxendale.

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David Schwimmer and Helen Baxendale in “Friends”.

NBC/Everett Collection

Burrows believed Baxendale, 53, and Schwimmer, 56, lacked natural on-screen chemistry compared to Ross and Rachel.

“Schwimmer had no one to bounce off,” he explained. – It was like clapping with one hand.

He continued, “In sitcoms and any kind of romantic comedy, funny is just as important as chemistry. We found that any of Ross’ new girlfriends had to be funny like Rachel.”

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And while casting a new Emily hasn’t been completely ruled out, Burrow wrote that it would be difficult due to the show’s “tight” deadlines, among other things.

“Often you can’t act again because of tight shooting deadlines or other logistical reasons,” he explained. “You need someone who makes you laugh. Sometimes you start an arc and it doesn’t work, so you have to get rid of that person. If it’s a day player, it’s a quick goodbye.”

Burrows also noted that the reverse is true, adding, “If there’s chemistry, the writers go to work to figure out some way to keep the actor.”

Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer in “Friends”.

Warner Bros./Getty Television

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Baxendale’s character was first introduced in season 4, appearing in a total of 14 episodes. Emily and Ross got married in season five, but Friends fans will remember that their wedding was anything but a celebratory occasion — he infamously said Rachel’s name during the vows instead of hers.

Ross and Emily’s marriage didn’t last long. Emily wanted Ross to agree not to see Rachel anymore, which he refused to do. When she admitted that she could not trust her husband, their relationship ended. Emily was written out of the show, coincidentally the time for Baxendale, who was also pregnant with her first child at the time.

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Eventually, Ross and Rachel rekindled their romance. Although Schwimmer and Aniston, 54, never dated in real life, the chemistry between the actors was evident in real life as well.

“At some point, we really fell in love with each other,” Schwimmer said of Aniston’s run Friends reunion special in 2021. “But it was like two ships passing each other because one of us was always in a relationship and we never crossed that line. We respected that.”

Aniston then chimed in: “Honestly, I remember saying to David once, ‘It’s going to be a shame if the first time you and I actually kiss is on national television.'”

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Friends is available for streaming on Max.

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Source: HIS Education