Jennifer Aniston would become one of NBC's biggest stars as Rachel Green on Friends, but the road to stardom isn't always smooth. One of her bumps in the road (besides starring in the funny horror comedy leprechaun), was her role in the television adaptation of John Hughes' 80s classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Aniston was perfect for the role of Jenny, Ferris' sister, taking over from Jennifer Grey, who played that character in the film. Aniston's low, dead voice, pursed mouth, and sighs of exasperation perfectly captured Jenny's angry attitude and frustration with Ferris' antics—namely his uncanny ability to charm everyone he encountered and his quick-witted ways of getting out of trouble. She's a great fit for the role, but the TV show itself? Well, not so great. It's bizarre, even.

"Ferris Bueller's Day Off," the best John Hughes movie ever made, centers on the best day ever of senior year—one last celebration before her characters Ferris, Cameron, and Sloane face the storm of adulthood. However, to make the story work for a TV series, the writers had to go back in time, taking us to Ferris' junior year to explore the everyday life of a smooth-talking, fun-loving teenage brat. This concept didn't last long, as the series was canceled just a few months after its debut with only 13 episodes aired. The reviews were bad, with the citizen of Ottawa calling the series "high school horror" that deserves a "failing grade". It just didn't have the magical spark of the movie, which existed in a weird parallel universe where this version of Ferris didn't exist, as Boston Globe memorably put, "the kind of high school kid that other kids would want to hang out with," but the kind that "other kids would want to hang with."

The show attempts something that might be clever if the lead actor, Charlie Schlatter, didn't have such an incredible presence. Schlatter has none of Matthew Broderick's charm, instead coming off as a know-it-all class clown who's more irritating than funny. In this strange, twisted world of Ferris Bueller, the original John Hughes film exists and is based on the life of Schlatter-as-Ferris. He complains about the movie and even disparages Matthew Broderick for playing himself, going as far as chainsawing his life-size cardboard head. "This is television, this is real," he says. While this meta joke might have seemed like a smart way to start the show — since the comparisons were inevitable — it feels unnecessary with all the weird changes from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

Why even bother making the television series? None of the original cast members return, and the setting shifts from Chicago to Santa Monica, taking away the everyday suburban vibe of the original film. Watching Ferris' school pranks might be fun to watch, but it's all routine and inconsequential. The short-lived season revolved around Ferris sparring with Ed Rooney, meeting Sloane and helping Cameron get a girlfriend. There are stories about being trapped in an elevator with Rooney, wanting to run for student president, and dealing with an annoying grandmother. "Ferris Bueller" just doesn't have the heart of a John Hughes film, especially without Matthew Broderick's magnetic performance. Ferris' story wasn't just about joyrides and visiting museums and the falling parades; it's about teenagers struggling with their future, caring for their friends and dealing with family issues. If you're weirdly fascinated by seeing how rough this early part of Jennifer Aniston's career was, there are a few YouTube clips.