It was one of the most controversial story lines of the show when Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) and Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) got together on Friends.
During season eight, the pair began a relationship after Rachel found out she was pregnant with Ross’ (David Schwimmer) baby.
At the time, fans were not only confused by the story arc, but felt that it was a little ridiculous that these two polar opposite characters would come together.
Now, in a new interview with The Sun, one of the show’s creators David Crane, has admitted he knew the plot would be “wrong” and reveals exactly why they coupled them up.
“The Joey/Rachel thing I know is controversial,” Crane admitted.
“I love it. I love it because it’s wrong — and we knew going in: this is wrong. And that happens in life.”
“There is the relationship that shouldn’t be. Even though you love someone, that’s not who you’re going to be with.”
According to Crane, it wasn’t just about the story line but it was also about allowing LeBlanc to show off another side to him.
In another interview with Radio Times, he revealed that they always “knew” it would end.
“She was pregnant with Ross’s baby. We always know this was like… that this was doomed, but in a hopefully really interesting, moving and compelling way.”
The hit sitcom ran from 1994 until 2004, and for its 25th anniversary, Crane, along with co-creator Marta Kaufman have been sharing golden nuggets of information about the show.
During another interview with Radio Times, Crane revealed that Phoebe very nearly ended up with none other than Hank Azaria’s character, David.
Crane admitted that there was definitely “a possibility of that” but that they [he and Kaufman] “didn’t definitively know” who she would end up with.
“They’re both amazing actors. I mean, both Paul and Hank are fantastic, and fantastic with her. We sort of went back and forth,” he said.
“I don’t even remember all the pieces that led to where we landed, but yeah, it could have gone the other way,” Crane said of the nuptials, before saying that “Phoebe would have been great with either one.”
Were you into Joey and Rachel as a couple?