I was in Wal-Mart today and I saw a headline on one of the national tabloids regarding the Friends season (and possibly series) finale this year: s p o i l e r . s p a c e . d o n t . s a y . i . d i d n t . w a r n . y o u . . . .
According to this tabloid, the writers of "Friends" have filmed three alternate endings to the season and in the most shocking, Rachel dies due to complications with child birth and leaves her daughter to Chandler and Monica to raise as their own. They affectionately name the daughter Rachel. The tabloid predicts that Aniston wants out, and has no intentions of coming back for Season 9 even if the pending negotiations pan out, and this is her way of escaping from the show and creating a ratings coup in the process.
This BETTER not be true!
First of all, how can you end television's greatest comedy with the death of one of the main characters?? Leave the drama to ER! If Rachel dies in the last episode, it will be one of the most depressing moments in TV history. Why would the writers punish the fans with such a traumatic finale?
Second, even though the article goes on to say that the chances of a ninth season are only 50-50, I would put significant amounts of money on the fact that we will see a ninth season. If this year was truly the final year, NBC would be hyping the last few eps of the season with far more gusto than they have been up to this point. When the last episode of "Seinfeld" came around, you'd have thought NBC was airing the return of Jesus. "Friends" is no less important to the network now than "Seinfeld" was then, and they have to be planning to milk the show's exit for all it's worth.
Rachel dying in the final episode? Come on!! IT CAN'T BE TRUE!!!!
Dan