Nancy McKeon executives for the title role in the TV sitcom adaptation of the 1988 film "Working Girl"; the role, played by Melanie Griffith in the movie, instead went to then unknown Sandra Bullock for the TV series. In 1994, both McKeon and Courteney Cox auditioned for the role of Monica Geller on "Friends." The role went to the latter. When asked in interviews about the auditions, McKeon said, "I have no hard feelings. The role went to the right person. Courteney was brilliant. Now, I can't see anybody playing the role, not even myself." In 1995, she starred in her own
The Pilot (Friends) and thought she was a better fit for Monica. After reading for Monica instead, she won the role. Nancy McKeon also read for the part. Jennifer Aniston read for the part of Rachel after initially being considered for Monica. Her contract with the CBS TV series "Muddling Through" meant that any role with "Friends" would be in second position to the series. The CBS show was not scheduled to be broadcast until mid-1994, after NBC's announcement of whether "Friends" would be greenlit; if "Muddling Through" became a ratings success and CBS enforced Aniston's contract, "Friends" would have had to recast