It could have been a totally different show.
By Amber
@AmbiePam (123512)
United States
July 25, 2026 10:40pm CST
Did you know Courteney Cox was wanted to play Rachel on Friends, but instead fought to get the role of Monica?
On The Big Bang Theory, the role of Penny, played by Kaley Cuoco, was offered to Marissa Tomei, and she turned it down.
In The Golden Girls, Betty White was wanted to play Blanche, and Rue MaClanahan was asked to play Rose. However, Betty White didn’t want to play another man crazy role like in Mary Tyler Moore, so she fought to play Rose instead.
Good changes!
8 people like this
10 responses
@jnrdutton (3463)
• United States
16h
It's amazing how what seem like minor changes can totally rewrite the direction and feel of something.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (211217)
• United States
4h
Those parts are so iconic it is hard to imagine anyone else in the roles.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (10296)
• Calcutta, India
14h
The Big Bang theory has been my favorite.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (52012)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
6h
Hmmm... Rue as Rose, Betty as Blanche? They do have the same initiials...
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (68617)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
14h
While Melissa Tomei is a good actress, I think that would have ruined the show for me.
That’s like the two actresses who played Becky on Roseanne and the Conners
1 person likes this
