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The movies and TV shows that we know and love might have been named completely differently if producers went with their gut instincts and very first ideas. In a parallel universe, there’s no ‘Stranger Things,’ no ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, and ‘The Big Bang Theory’ would have been called ‘Lenny, Kenny, and Penny.’

It’s time to stroll through ‘The Twilight Zone’ and step into the ‘what if’ part of TV Land. So get settled in with some popcorn, put on your 3D glasses, and scroll down for Bored Panda’s newest feature about what movies and TV shows were originally called.

Don’t forget to upvote your fave pics and, when you’re done with this list, check our post about popular things that initially had very different names.

#2

That 70's Show

That 70's Show

Fox Report

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Thisleton Woodrow Amadeus Tunt
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Sally take my hand, we'll travel south cross land, put out the fire and don't look past my shoulder"

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#3

Mr. Bean

Mr. Bean

ITV Report

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Oskar vanZandt
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't stand that character regardless... Rowan Atkinson is excellent in Black Adder though!

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Who doesn’t love the hit TV show ‘Friends?’ Well, imagine having to look forward to an episode of ‘Six of One.’ Or ‘Insomnia Cafe.’ Weird, right? Even though I’m pretty sure that we’d get used to those names if we heard them over and over again over the years, they just sound plain bonkers right now, don’t they?

Would ‘Friends’ have become an iconic show if it was called something else? My mind says ‘probably,’ but my gut says ‘no.’ There’s a lot in a name. And it can make (or break) a project.

Finding the perfect title for your show or film is a delicate balancing act. And way, way harder than it sounds. The Hollywood Reporter stresses that you can’t be too witty, but you have to avoid being too generic, as well. Titles also can’t be too long, lazy, or too vague. With a list of advice that long, it’s no wonder so many shows fail to captivate their target audiences.

#4

The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory

CBS Report

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Oskar vanZandt
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So glad they chose the title they did... and the linked-in-to-the-theme episode titles. :D

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Tabitha L
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would have driven me spare....not because of the names, but because of the missing comma.

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#5

Monty Python's Flying Circus

Monty Python's Flying Circus

BBC Report

#6

Lost

Lost

ABC Report

Keeping titles simple and to-the-point yet dynamic seems to be the main goal. So if you’re unsure what to name your next visual masterpiece, consider giving it a single-word title.

But the words you use can’t just sound cool—they have to actually be related to your show. When somebody hears the title, they immediately have to understand more or less what the show’s going to be about. Is it serious? Goofy? Seriously goofy?

Humor and playing around with double meaning can also work wonders. As can ‘modernizing’ the name of your show to fit the current context of important events: you can draw inspiration from current social, political, and other issues to link your title to the audience.

#7

Friends

Friends

NBC Report

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postboredom
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it was also almost called insomnia cafe, across the hall and others ( 100 names altogether)

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#8

Married With Children

Married With Children

Fox Report

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Malakai
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah... The name on the right would've tanked this show from the start. The insinuation it's just a rehash of an old comedy wouldn't have gone over well, more than likely

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#11

Grey's Anatomy

Grey's Anatomy

ABC Report

#12

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

NBC Report

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Country Nana
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think it would have made any difference. I remember when it first came out. It didn't take long for the media, and the players, to call it NBC's Saturday Night.

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#13

New Girl

New Girl

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Pseudo Puppy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"chicks and d***s" made me laugh... but who makes the "chick" plural, especially as it was meant to be about her and the boys...?

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#15

Happy Days

Happy Days

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Joran Quinten
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That name wouldn't have worked in the the song at all! Sunday, Monday, Cool! Tuesday, Wednesday, Cool! Thursday, Friday, Cool! Saturday, what a day Rockin' all week with you. ...on second thought

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#16

Seinfeld

Seinfeld

NBC Report

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Malakai
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is probably the least different one. I think if they had stuck with the right it wouldn't have impacted the show's popularity much, but the fandom would've shortened it anyway

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#17

Saved By The Bell

Saved By The Bell

NBC Report

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Tabitha L
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wish they had kept the original title, because then they would have kept Miss Bliss. I love Hayley Mills. (Good Morning Miss Bliss was an actual show, yes?)

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#19

Wizards Of Waverly Place

Wizards Of Waverly Place

Disney Channel Report

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postboredom
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

their last name wasn't o'malley, was it? the amazing russos would sound more magicky too ;D

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#20

One Tree Hill

One Tree Hill

The CW Report

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Malakai
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait--why does everyone look so much paler in the left picture? Are they all secretly vampires? Does someone need to call Buffy?

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