The creators of Friends spilled the tea on the show’s finale! They admitted some of the scripts leaked before it aired but remained tight-lipped on who the culprit might be.
Titled “The Last One,” the episode delivered a satisfying conclusion to the 10-year saga of Ross and Rachel’s on-again, off-again romance, but not without some pre-airing drama.
This leak cast a shadow over the monumental farewell of the beloved cast – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer – and the millions of fans around the world who had followed their lives on screen for a decade.
Friend’s cast – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer
Looking back at the final shows in an interview with NBC’s Today show in the US, Friends creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane revealed details of the leak.
“Oh my god, we tried so hard to keep it a secret!” Kauffman said, frustration evident in her voice. “We were desperate to keep it a secret, and it got out. And it was an inside job.”
Crane elaborated on their efforts to maintain secrecy. “Scripts sent out ahead of the premiere of the final episode were numbered,” he explained. “We knew how many people knew what it was going to be.” This leak, he admitted, “became a behind-the-scenes detective show” as they tried to identify the culprit.
“It was frustrating, but at the end of the day, what are you gonna do?” Crane sighed, acknowledging the limitations of their situation.
Friend’s Creators: Marta Kauffman and David Crane
The leaked portion of the script, Kauffman revealed, exposed the long-awaited reunion of Ross and Rachel. However, the mystery of the leaker remained unsolved. “Ish,” she said with a smile, a hint of amusement at the show’s enduring intrigue. Crane echoed her sentiment with a simple “Ish.”
The finale, capping off ten seasons and 236 episodes, delivered more than just a romantic resolution. It also saw Monica and Chandler embark on a new chapter, leaving their iconic Manhattan apartment to raise their adopted twins in the suburbs.
Matthew Perry, who sadly passed away in 2023 at the age of 54, reflected on the finale in his 2022 memoir titled “Friends, Lovers, And The Big Terrible Thing.”
Matthew Perry, who sadly passed away in 2023 at the age of 54!
In his own words: “Before that final episode, I’d taken Marta Kauffman to one side,” he wrote. “Nobody else will care about this except me,’ I said. ‘So may I please have the last line?'”
His wish was granted, and Chandler delivered the show’s final line in true Chandler fashion. As the group decides on one last coffee before the move, he throws out a sarcastic yet poignant “Where?” – a fitting tribute to the countless hours they spent at Central Perk.
“It’s incredibly poignant,” Kauffman said. “It’s a legacy for him, one of his many legacies.”
Friends continue to find new fans, even years after its finale, thanks to streaming services. Earlier this year, a testament to the show’s enduring legacy, two scripts from the iconic season four finale, “The One With Ross’s Wedding,” were discovered in a bin and sold at auction for a whopping £22,000.
