20 popular TV shows that nearly had totally different storylines

The writers of Friends wanted to give Matthew Perry’s character Chandler a storyline where he cheated on his wife, Monica, played by Courteney Cox. Perry refused, telling the writers it was a terrible idea. He was correct. 

Similar to the Freinds potential storyline, The Office writers wanted Jim Halpert, played by John Krasinski, to cheat on his wife, Pam, played by Jenna Fisher. Krasinksi knew that if Jim were to cheat on his wife, fans would never forgive him, and the show’s favorite couple would’ve been permanently ruined. 

There are so many things about Lost that viewers have complained about since it first aired, but its ending was perhaps the biggest complaint fans had. As it turns out, the show almost ended in a completely different way, but it couldn’t be filmed due to budgetary restrictions. The showrunners have shared what the ending is, though, if you’re interested. 

Early fans of The Game will remember that it started as a sitcom. Producers had every intention of keeping it as such, but a cancellation and network switch kept it going as more of a drama. It went on to include more intense storylines than anyone would have imagined when it started, like divorce and steroid abuse. 

Like Lost, Prison Break ended in a way that was unsatisfactory to many. Also, like Lost, the show almost ended differently. Many fans have analyzed the alternate ending, and unfortunately, there’s a large group who believe it would’ve been much better than what actually happened. 

Another dramatic show that almost ended differently, the Supernatural finale went down slightly differently than it was originally written, mostly due to COVID-19 filming restrictions. Things were mostly the same in the original as what was actually filmed, though. The biggest difference was a set change and the exclusion of some characters. 

The first season finale of Squid Game almost ended differently, with Gi-hun leaving. Viewers have yet to see how the actual ending will affect the second season, but what almost was is a testament to how one small action can make a huge difference, even in television. 

Hannah Montana was so close to ending differently that it has an alternate ending viewers can watch. In the ending, Hannah Montana was never a real pop star, just an imaginary story Miley Stewart played out with a doll. It would’ve been a very meta ending for a Disney Channel show. 

Schitt’s Creek was supposed to have a much happier ending for Alexis and Ted. In the show’s final season, Alexis maturely broke up with Ted, seeing as they were headed in different directions, but originally they were supposed to get married in the series finale and have a double wedding with Patrick and David. 

Originally, Steve Urkel was only supposed to appear in one episode as a guest. The nerdy, slightly annoying yet lovable neighbor was such a hit with the audience that he became a full-time cast member. The plot change made him one of the most iconic characters in sitcom history. 

Essentially, the entirety of the final season of Gilmore Girls wasn’t supposed to happen the way it did. The show’s creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, was not involved, and her envisioned ending didn’t happen. Sherman-Palladino did return for the show’s reboot, though, and she got to have her dream ending then.

Friends almost kept Rachel Green on that damn plane. Fans can debate who Rachel should’ve ended up with, but like it or not, she ended up with Ross. Rachel not getting off the plane would’ve fundamentally changed the sitcom’s legacy. 

If actors don’t remain part of the cast, certain storylines just can’t happen. Such was the case with Cheers. When Shelley Long decided to leave, it meant the end of the relationship between Sam and Dianne. However, there was an alternate ending to their storyline filmed where the two did end up together. 

Killing Eve could’ve ended in so many different ways. And we don’t mean that in an ambiguous way. The showrunner has said her team dreamt up several different versions of the ending, some of which would’ve been more heartwrenching. 

Happy Days  wasn’t doing so well in its early seasons. Producers had intended for the show to revolve around Ron Howard’s character, Richie Cunningham. But due to poor ratings, the show switched gears and focused more on Henry Winkler’s Arthur Fonzarelli, better known as The Fonz. 

Season six of House of Cards ended up not including Kevin Spacey because he was fired after being accused of sexual misconduct. Given his prominent role in the series, storylines had to be reconfigured, but it turns out there wasn’t a whole lot that had to be changed as his character wasn’t going to be the main focus of the season anyway. 

Russian Doll’s second season could’ve gone a very different way had the creators gotten their way with the first season’s finale. They were told they had to go a different direction as their ending was apparently too similar to the show Maniac. 

It seems that Darren Star hates happy endings. The Sex and the City showrunner did not want Carrie and Big to have a happy ending. He would’ve made plenty of viewers happy if he’d gotten his way in the show’s original run. 

Justice was not supposed to be served at the end of Pretty Little Liars. The show went off the rails in so many ways throughout the series that it was kind of hard to continue watching, but the end was satisfying with the girls getting happy endings. In another version of the ending, though, Spencer was not supposed to get a happy ending. 

The question of who Gossip Girl is was very intriguing in the first couple of seasons, but it got lost in the shuffle for most of the show because everything else was so dramatic. Still, the plotline came back in full force in the final season, and the writers changed Gossip Girl’s identity after too many people guessed it was Eric, the person they originally intended for it to be.