Lisa Kudrow Reflects on the Timeless Appeal of “Friends”
Lisa Kudrow is hardly surprised that new generations continue to discover and fall in love with “Friends.”
The actress, famous for her role as Phoebe Buffay on the iconic show, shared with Page Six, “It doesn’t shock me because the show is genuinely good and feels comforting.”
Kudrow feels that the series, which originally aired from 1994 to 2004, evokes a kind of “subconscious nostalgia” especially among younger audiences who are accustomed to digital communication rather than face-to-face interactions.
The Secret to Long-Lasting Popularity
She further explained, “They’re missing what they don’t have, which is real-life interactions and connections.” According to Kudrow, this has always been a crucial element of any successful TV show.
“That’s the reason people become attached to shows. If it’s also funny, with great performances and jokes, that’s just an added bonus. ‘Friends’ had all of that,” she added.
Reflecting on the skepticism surrounding the show’s concept initially, Kudrow recalled how many doubted its potential success, questioning the entertainment value of “a bunch of young people sitting on a couch talking.”
Her response to the skeptics? “That’s not my problem,” Kudrow remarked playfully, confirming, “But yes, it certainly was a show.”
Indeed, the series finale in May 2004 captivated over 52 million viewers, marking it as the fifth most-watched series finale in the history of U.S. television.
The excitement continued into 2021 when the cast reunited for a special segment on HBO Max, hosted by James Corden, delighting fans worldwide.
Lisa Kudrow’s Upcoming Project
Kudrow is set to appear in “No Good Deed,” a new Netflix series created by Liz Feldman, who is known for “Dead to Me.”This dark comedy series revolves around three families who are all trying to purchase the same house in Los Angeles, currently inhabited by Kudrow’s character and her on-screen husband, played by Ray Romano.
The ensemble cast features notable talents such as Abbi Jacobson, Linda Cardellini, Denis Leary, and Poppy Liu.
Discussing her collaboration with Romano, Kudrow expressed her enthusiasm, noting, “He’s such a talented actor, so effortless and he seems like a genuinely nice person… I had a feeling it would be a great experience working together, and it really was! We found we have a lot in common.”
Fans can look forward to the release of “No Good Deed” on December 12.
