Why Phoebe and Joey Almost Hooked Up on Friends — And How It Would Have Changed the Show Forever

There are many ideas and storylines that Friends ultimately left aside, and one in particular would have changed the show (and the characters’ dynamics) forever. The 1990s produced many classic sitcoms, with Friends being one of the most iconic and among the best TV shows of all time.

Friends had a simple premise, following a group of friends — Chandler (Matthew Perry), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Monica (Courteney Cox), Joey (Matt LeBlanc), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), and Ross (David Schwimmer) — as they navigated adulthood in New York City. This simplicity, combined with its signature sense of humor, fueled the show’s lasting success and legacy.

Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow Pitched a Storyline Where Joey and Phoebe Hooked Up

A major focus of Friends was the romantic lives of the main characters. While the turbulent relationship between Ross and Rachel dominated many episodes, the other friends’ love lives were also followed closely. However, the entire dynamic could have shifted if Joey and Phoebe had gotten together.

In a 2015 interview with People, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow revealed they had actually pitched the idea of Joey and Phoebe secretly hooking up toward the end of the show. The concept involved reshooting historical scenes to reveal that Joey and Phoebe had been together all along — eventually surprising everyone by stepping out of a broom closet together. However, the Friends team ultimately rejected the idea, keeping Joey and Phoebe as close friends instead.

How Joey and Phoebe Hooking Up Would Have Affected Monica and Chandler

Friends had two main couples: Ross and Rachel, who reconciled at the series finale, and Monica and Chandler, widely regarded as the show’s best couple. Pairing Joey and Phoebe romantically would have been predictable and complicated the development of Monica and Chandler’s relationship.

The casual dynamic between Joey and Phoebe would have taken center stage, making it difficult to explain their offscreen romances throughout the series. Monica and Chandler’s relationship was beloved largely because it was allowed to grow and mature naturally, something that likely wouldn’t have happened if Joey and Phoebe had been romantically involved.

Why Phoebe and Joey Are Better Off as Best Friends

Although Joey and Phoebe shared strong on-screen chemistry and even kissed a few times, they are ultimately better off as best friends. By avoiding a romantic storyline between them, Friends sidestepped predictability and allowed both characters to find more fitting partners.

Phoebe eventually married Mike (Paul Rudd) in season 10, while Joey’s story ended with him settling down with Alex in his spinoff series Joey. More importantly, the show’s core theme centers around friendship, and romantic pairings between all the main characters would have altered that fundamental focus.

In the end, Friends gave each character a fitting ending, and a Joey-Phoebe romance wouldn’t have been true to either character’s journey or to the show’s heart.