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
Monica Geller September 1994, critics initially perceived Monica as the show's main character; "Entertainment Weekly's" Ken Tucker attributes this to the fact that Cox was the show's most famous cast member at the time. The actress has garnered largely positive reviews for her performance, with Tucker concluding that Cox successfully "plays straight woman ... with alluring modesty". Tony Scott of "Variety" commended the entire cast for "appear[ing] resourceful and display[ing] sharp sitcom skills ... especially Cox", while "The Baltimore Sun's" David Zurawik described her acting as "terrific". John Kiesewetter of "The Cincinnati Enquirer" praised Cox's ability to "deliver both verbal and physical