The Sci-Fi Sitcom Pilot That Matthew Perry Filmed Before Joining Friends

In case you've always wanted to watch aliens walk around a set of L.A.X., some clips from the unsold pilot aired in the special, "The Best TV Shows That Never Were!" Sadly, you won't find Matthew Perry's character among the footage, but you will find Ryan Stiles bumbling around as a heartless robot who works at the airport. It's hard to judge the show based on the few jokes we see, but it's a safe bet the series wouldn't have become a cultural juggernaut on the same level as "Friends." It makes it all the scarier to think this show could've prevented Perry from playing Chandler.

In an interview on "Late Night with Seth Meyers," Perry talked about his time before "Friends" and how during the same pilot season the world-famous sitcom came about, he had just shot "L.A.X. 2194." Not only that, but his association with the baggage handler show meant that if it got picked up, he would be unable to also star in "Friends." Fortunately, the higher-ups realized the limited potential of "L.A.X. 2194," as Perry explained, "Finally, somebody at Fox at the time said, 'We've seen this. It's the worst thing we've seen in our lives. [Perry] is available. You can hire him for your little show.'" That "little show" became the series that would go on to define the 1990s, and Perry is likely forever grateful everything worked out in his favor. 

Of course, there are alternate realities out there where Perry would've needed to commit to "L.A.X. 2194." If that had happened, some of the other big names who were up for the role of Chandler, according to Vulture, include Jon Cryer, Craig Bierko, and Jon Favreau.