Friends Shares Uncanny Similarities with This 1992 Rom-Com Scoring 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and Faced Legal Threats

Friends revolutionized the sitcom landscape in the 1990s, leaving an indelible mark that still resonates today. However, its journey to iconic status was almost jeopardized by a potential lawsuit due to striking similarities to a 1992 romantic comedy that boasted a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The 1990s were a golden era for sitcoms, showcasing a plethora of unique and entertaining shows. Premiering on NBC in 1994, Friends secured its place as one of television’s most beloved series, running for an impressive ten seasons until its finale in 2004. The series shattered numerous records and continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest television shows of all time.

The premise of Friends is elegantly simple yet profoundly engaging: it follows six distinct friends as they navigate the complexities of adulthood. With their diverse personalities, aspirations, and backgrounds, Monica (Courteney Cox), Chandler (Matthew Perry), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Joey (Matt LeBlanc), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), and Ross (David Schwimmer) charmed audiences through a rollercoaster of relationship trials and triumphs. The undeniable chemistry among the cast was pivotal to the show’s widespread appeal. Interestingly, Friends faced a unique challenge before it even aired, as its concept bore a close resemblance to a previous film.

Friends Shares Striking Similarities with Cameron Crowe’s Singles

The Journey of Singles: From Film to Near-TV Show

Cameron Crowe, renowned for his previous work on Fast Times at Ridgemont High, made a successful directorial debut in 1989 with Say Anything…. Following this, he released Singles in 1992, which delves into the lives of young adults amidst Seattle’s burgeoning grunge culture. This film chronicles the experiences of Janet (Bridget Fonda), a coffee shop waitress, and Cliff (Matt Dillon), an aspiring grunge musician, alongside other characters exploring love and relationships.

Set against the backdrop of a vibrant apartment complex, the film aptly titled its rentals as “Singles,” reflecting both the living arrangements and the romantic entanglements of its characters. Singles examines the intricacies of young love and friendship, ultimately capturing the essence of dating during this unique cultural moment. The project received favorable reviews, prompting Warner Bros. to contemplate a TV adaptation.

The concept for the proposed series featured six twenty-something roommates seeking love, prompting Crowe to consult his legal team for advice. Ultimately, Crowe rejected the idea, but soon after discovering ABC’s fall lineup, he noticed a series titled Friends, which bore uncanny similarities to his original vision (source: Jim Dero). Although the producers insisted it was a coincidence, the parallels raised concerns for Crowe. Nevertheless, Friends successfully modified many elements from Singles, enabling it to avoid legal repercussions.

The Legacy of Friends: What If Singles Had Prevailed?

Singles: A Show with a Niche Appeal

The creators of Friends, Marta Kaufman and David Crane, possess their own narrative regarding the show’s inception. The extent to which Crowe’s Singles influenced their concept remains uncertain. Regardless, Friends emerged as a groundbreaking series, establishing trends in the “hangout sitcom”format, influencing future shows like How I Met Your Mother and New Girl, and reshaping representations of unconventional family dynamics. Remarkably, two decades after its conclusion, Friends remains popular, resonating with new audiences who find connections to its characters.

Had Friends adopted the essence of Singles, its legacy could have been dramatically different. While Singles offers a charming glimpse into the dating culture of the early 1990s, its grunge aesthetic may not have appealed to a broader audience, limiting its longevity. It’s uncertain whether Friends would have thrived had Crowe agreed to adapt Singles into a series; however, the preservation of the latter as a standalone film certainly benefited the former.

Source: Jim Dero.

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