Everyone is familiar with “Friends,” the classic NBC sitcom from the 1990s. In fact, the show’s success has largely overshadowed a much earlier series that shared its title. In 1979, a full 15 years before audiences first met Ross and Rachel in Central Perk, ABC debuted the comedy-drama series “Friends,” executive produced by Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer.
Unlike its ’90s namesake, the short-lived 1970s series was aimed primarily at children. It followed three 11-year-old friends from varied upbringings growing up in Southern California, exploring topics such as dating, family relationships, and school during early adolescence. The series starred Jarrod Johnson as Randy Summerfield, Jill Whelan as Nancy Wilks, and Charlie Aiken as Pete Richards. Randy was the son of a lawyer, Nancy lived with her single father, and Pete came from a traditional nuclear family.
Despite being recognized as recommended viewing by the National Education Association and receiving awards from the Film Advisory Board and the Southern California Motion Picture Council, “Friends” was not picked up beyond its initial five-episode run. Given its brief lifespan and the later success of the iconic ’90s show of the same name, the 1979 series quickly faded from view.
What happened after Friends was canceled by ABC
The principal cast of 1979’s “Friends” did not achieve the same level of fame as the stars of the later series with the same name. Two of the show’s three leads stepped away from acting shortly after it ended, appearing in only a handful of projects.
Charlie Aiken, who had previously been in an episode of “The Love Boat,” had a role in the 1980 TV movie “Hardhat and Legs.” Jarrod Johnson had the most acting experience of the three prior to “Friends” and appeared in an episode of “The Incredible Hulk” and on “Fantasy Island.” Jill Whelan has had the most prominent career since “Friends” ended, including a role in the 1980 comedy “Airplane!” as heart transplant patient Lisa Davis, before later roles in series such as “Criminal Minds.”
Of course, the title “Friends” would go on to become far more widely recognized when the NBC sitcom debuted in 1994, propelling stars like Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston to global fame. The series ran for 10 seasons, concluding in 2004 as Ross and Rachel finally got back together, while Chandler and Monica moved out of the series’ central apartment.
