Apart from its tremendous success, FRIENDS also revolutionized the television industry in terms of salary standards for actors, putting them on par with film stars. During seasons 9 and 10, all six cast members were earning a staggering $1 million per episode, establishing a new benchmark. However, this equal pay wasn't always the case. In the show's second season, salaries were determined based on popularity, resulting in Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer earning more than their co-stars.

This unfair pay structure didn't sit well with Aniston and Schwimmer, who, along with the rest of the cast, took a stand against the studio. They even threatened to boycott further episodes until the studio ultimately yielded to their demands. In an interview with RadioTimes, Aniston expressed her dissatisfaction with the initial pay disparities within the FRIENDS cast. At the show's inception, each cast member was earning a mere $22,500 per episode. However, as the Rachel and Ross storyline, portrayed by Aniston and Schwimmer, gained popularity, these two actors received higher pay in the second season. Aniston stated that the entire cast was unhappy about the pay gaps. She believed that despite variations in character popularity, all actors contributed equally to the show's success and deserved equal compensation. She shared her thoughts with RadioTimes, saying, "We're doing equal work, and we all deserve to be compensated in the same way. I wouldn't feel good going to work knowing someone was getting x amount and I was getting something greater." The salary disparity during the second season strained relations between the actors and the studio, leading the cast to negotiate their contracts as a group to ensure equal pay. In 1996, The New York Times reported that the group threatened to boycott the taping of new season episodes unless the issue was resolved.

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