Lisa Kudrow (62) Explains Why She Never Watches ‘Friends’ With Her Husband
Lisa Kudrow shared a charmingly relatable update regarding her relationship with the television show that made her a household name. During a guest appearance on the Wednesday, March 18, episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the actress admitted she is currently navigating a full rewatch of Friends.
The Emmy-winning star, known globally for her portrayal of Phoebe Buffay, revealed that this marks her first time viewing the legendary sitcom from beginning to end. She explained that while she finds the experience genuinely enjoyable, she prefers to keep her viewing sessions private.
Kudrow confessed to the late-night host that she purposefully delays her marathon sessions until late at night. “I wait until my husband goes to sleep, because I’m too embarrassed,” she told Kimmel while discussing her husband, Michael Stern.
When asked why she felt the need for such secrecy, the actress clarified that the self-consciousness stems from the visual of her own routine. “That I’m watching myself on TV every night!” she noted, laughing at the potential perception of her vanity.
The star insisted that her motivation is less about self-appraisal and more about the comfort of the genre itself. “I’m not watching it for myself. I just like a sitcom before going to bed, and I ran out of other things to watch,” she added during the interview.
Kudrow remarked that the passage of time has allowed her to view the series through a different lens, almost as if she were a regular fan. “It does now,” she said when asked if the show feels like it features someone else entirely. “And everyone’s hilarious, and I’m laughing out loud.”
The actress admitted that her memory of specific plot points and guest stars from the ten-year run is often surprisingly foggy. She specifically recalled a recent episode featuring Alec Baldwin at the Geller family’s anniversary celebration that left her in hysterics.
She described a scene where Matt LeBlanc’s character, Joey, mistakes a fallen oyster for something much more unappetizing. “I started crying, I was laughing so hard. Tears! Then I had to text Matt,” she shared while describing the comedic brilliance of her former co-star.
This nostalgic reflection comes at a particularly busy time for the actress, who is currently celebrating a major professional milestone. Kudrow is set to return to HBO this weekend for the premiere of the third and final season of her cult-favorite series, The Comeback.
The new season, which debuts Sunday, March 22, finds her character Valerie Cherish navigating a Hollywood landscape dominated by artificial intelligence. Kudrow co-created the satirical project with Michael Patrick King, and this final installment arrives after a twelve-year hiatus since the second season concluded.
Kudrow recently appeared in the Apple TV+ fantasy adaptation Time Bandits. She has also been active in the production space, continuing to develop projects under her Is or Isn’t Entertainment banner alongside partner Dan Bucatinsky.
As she promotes the conclusion of Valerie Cherish’s journey, Kudrow remains one of the most respected figures in comedic television. Her ability to pivot between the broad appeal of Friends and the niche, biting satire of The Comeback has solidified her enduring legacy in the industry.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the eight-episode finale of her HBO series, which is expected to provide a definitive end for her iconic character. Whether she is looking back at her past work or breaking new ground in the streaming era, Kudrow continues to find ways to surprise her audience.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts in the comments.