The one thing you probably didn't know about Friends

Friends defined audiences' view of a good sitcom in the nineties

The cast of Friends are officially getting back together for a two hour special, and fans everywhere are overjoyed.

The news was announced at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, where it was revealed that the programme would air on Sunday 21 February.

While it is uncertain as to whether Jennifer Aniston, Courtenay Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer will appear in the same room at the same time, they will definitely all be on the same show.

Friends defined audiences' view of a good sitcom in the nineties, and marathon re-runs are still regular occurrences on channels such as E4 and Comedy Central. Dedicated fans also pride themselves on their knowledge of the show.

But one thing you may not know is that the title of the show could have been something very, very different.

The show was originally going to be called Insomnia Cafe when creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman wrote their seven-page pitch. In addition to that title, the plot was different from the show we know and love today.

For instance, Ross and Rachel wouldn’t have been the key relationship; it was all about Joey and Monica.

It was then renamed Friends Like Us (urgh) when NBC bought the pilot, and NBC president Warren Littlefield also came up with Across the Hall, which was considered.

By the time they started shooting the first season, the title switched again to Six of One (???) until producers and writers finally settled on Friends ahead of the premiere on 22 September, 1994.