A closer look
Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman originally intended for Monica and Joey to be the central romantic couple of the beloved 90s sitcom before the actors' on-screen chemistry changed the plot entirely. Viewers were instead subjected to ten agonizing years of Ross and Rachel taking breaks, effectively traumatizing an entire generation into believing that toxic communication and possessive jealousy are just quirky relationship hurdles. Meanwhile, Joey was relegated to dating a revolving door of forgettable guest stars and obsessing over sandwiches, which proves that television writers three decades ago genuinely had absolutely no idea what to do with a perpetually single guy who was actually happy and not completely miserable without a ring on his finger
