Lisa Kudrow wasn't convinced Friends would be a hit so wanted to "preserve" another role just in case it was cancelled.
The 62-year-old actress played Phoebe Buffay for 10 years on the beloved comedy series, but when she was first cast in the role, she had a recurring role as a sarcastic and indifferent waitress in NBC's already-established comedy series, and so approached the chance of appearing in Friends with caution in case it put her stability at risk.