Lisa Kudrow is setting the record straight about her feelings towards the live studio audience during the filming of “Friends,” following comments made by her former co-star, Jennifer Aniston. Aniston had claimed that Kudrow “hated” the audience’s laughter, but Kudrow has now clarified her stance.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight’s Rachel Smith, Kudrow explained that she didn’t hate the audience but found their reactions sometimes excessive. “No, that’s not exactly — no, no. It irritated me if they would laugh for too long,” Kudrow said, addressing Aniston’s recounting of events.
Aniston had previously shared her memories from “Friends” during a conversation with Quinta Brunson for Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series. She recalled Kudrow’s reaction to the audience’s laughter, saying, “Lisa Kudrow, by the way, hated when the audience laughed… She’d be like, ‘I’m not done! It’s not that funny!'”
Kudrow elaborated on her feelings, saying, “God bless them. They were so excited to be there that sometimes the laughter would just be longer than if they would have laughed at anything else. I was like, ‘All right, well, take it easy. It’s not that funny. And there’s more to say!'”
Despite these moments of irritation, Kudrow expressed her appreciation for the enthusiastic audience. She acknowledged that their excitement was a testament to the show’s popularity and the joy it brought to viewers.
Kudrow, who played the quirky and lovable Phoebe Buffay on “Friends,” remains close to Aniston, who portrayed Rachel Green. Their bond was evident when Aniston celebrated Kudrow’s 60th birthday on Instagram in July 2023, describing her as “one of my favorite people on the planet” and praising her comedic talents.
In addition to addressing the audience laughter issue, Kudrow was promoting her new TV series, “Time Bandits,” during the interview. The series, based on the 1981 Terry Gilliam fantasy epic, is co-created by Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, and Iain Morris. Kudrow stars as Penelope, the leader of a group of time-traveling pirates and adventurers.
Kudrow shared her excitement about the project, saying, “Taika had gotten in touch with me and said, ‘Jemaine and I wrote this thing, we’re shooting in New Zealand. Would you ever consider doing that?’ And, ‘Yes! Like, why am I going to say no to you two?'”
She also praised the series’ wardrobe, describing her pirate-inspired costumes as some of the most comfortable she has ever worn. “I loved it!” she marveled. “That was, I think, one of the most comfortable costumes I’ve ever worn in my life. I’m not kidding.”
For Kudrow, “Time Bandits” is a perfect blend of all the story elements she enjoys. “Time travel? I love it! And I love history. I’m kind of a history buff,” she shared. “And it’s just fun.”
“Time Bandits” is set to premiere on July 24 on Apple TV+. Kudrow’s involvement in the series marks her return to television screens, and fans are eagerly anticipating her performance in this new and exciting role.
Meanwhile, Aniston is involved in producing a remake of the 1980s classic “9 to 5” with her Echo Films partner Kristin Hahn. Reflecting on her time on “Friends,” Aniston shared fond memories of the past three decades and a playful incident involving Kudrow at a hair salon.
Despite the occasional irritation with the live audience’s laughter, Kudrow’s clarification highlights her overall appreciation for the fans who made “Friends” a beloved and iconic show. Her willingness to address the issue and set the record straight demonstrates her respect for both her co-stars and the audience.
As Kudrow embarks on her new adventure with “Time Bandits,” fans can look forward to seeing her bring her unique charm and talent to a fresh and exciting role. Her ability to balance humor and sincerity has always been a hallmark of her performances, and “Time Bandits” promises to be another showcase of her exceptional skills.
In conclusion, Lisa Kudrow’s clarification of Jennifer Aniston’s comments about her feelings towards the live studio audience during “Friends” provides a deeper understanding of her perspective. While she may have found the extended laughter occasionally irritating, her gratitude for the audience’s enthusiasm remains evident. As she continues to explore new projects and roles, Kudrow’s fans can look forward to more memorable performances from this talented actress.
