Lisa Kudrow explains why 'Friends' is still popular despite many doubting show's success
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Lisa Kudrow, beloved for her role as Phoebe Buffay on the iconic sitcom 'Friends', believes the show’s enduring popularity stems from its relatable themes and nostalgic appeal.
The actress shared her theory on why younger audiences continue to rediscover and connect with the series, which originally aired from 1994 to 2004.
Lisa Kudrow says she's 'not amazed' by 'Friends' popularity
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Pointing out the show’s timeless humor and strong performances, Lisa Kudrow explained, “I’m not amazed because it’s good and it’s familiar."
She attributed its lasting appeal to a “subconscious nostalgia” for the kind of in-person connections that are often missing in a world dominated by cell phones and social media.
“For something they don’t have, which is in-person connections and relations,” she told Page Six.
“And that’s always been at the heart of every successful show,” the actress added.
Lisa Kudrow calls 'Friends' a show that defied expectations
Lisa Kudrow recalled how many doubted the premise of 'Friends' when it debuted, questioning whether “a bunch of young people sitting on a couch talking” could succeed.
But the Emmy-winning actress had a lighthearted response. “That’s not my problem. I’m just in it, but yes it was a show,” she said.
The skepticism quickly faded as 'Friends' became a cultural phenomenon.
The show's finale in May 2004 drew over 52 million viewers, making it the fifth most-watched series finale in US history.
In 2021, the original cast reunited for an HBO Max special hosted by James Corden.
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“That’s why people get attached to them,” she said of sitcoms like 'Friends'.
“And then if it’s funny, there [are] good performances, good jokes, that’s a bonus — and Friends had all that,” she added.
Lisa Kudrow's upcoming dark comedy project
Lisa Kudrow is now gearing up for her next project, the Netflix dark comedy 'No Good Deed', set to premiere on December 12.
Created by Liz Feldman, the series follows three families competing for a Los Angeles home, where Kudrow and her on-screen husband, Ray Romano, currently reside.
The ensemble cast includes Poppy Liu, Abbi Jacobson, Linda Cardellini, and Denis Leary.
Kudrow expressed excitement about working with Romano, saying, “Such a good actor, he’s so effortless, and he seems like such a nice person… I had a feeling that that would work out really well and it did!”
Speaking about whether she would return to multi-camera sitcoms, she said, "I kept saying to Ray, like, 'Let's do a sitcom. Come on. Rehearse all week and then shoot. Let's do that.'"
"I think I forget what the hard work was at the beginning of doing one of those shows," she added, according to People.
