Lisa Kudrow became an overnight TV sensation after the success of the hit ’90s sitcom Friends. While on the promotional run for Season 3 of her critically acclaimed show The Comeback, it was only natural that she would be asked about the show’s impact on her life. Appearing on CBS Sunday Morning, she reflected on the series and spoke fondly about the cast members with whom she shared screen space.
Filming Friends felt like “puppies playing on a set”
While speaking with CBS News correspondent Tracy Smith, Lisa Kudrow discussed the playful time she had with her fellow cast members on the sets of Friends. When asked if she agreed with one of the show’s directors, James Burrows, who described the cast as a “gift from God,” she responded, “Definitely.” She then went on to describe the uniqueness her co-stars brought to the table.
Talking about David Schwimmer, who played Ross, she said, “Schwimmer, I kind of saw him on some Fox show that didn’t last long, but I thought, ‘Oh my god, he’s really great. He’s funny. There’s something different about him.’ He was good. And he was the first person cast.” Further elaborating on his acting chops, she added that he lived up to every expectation she had during the table reads.
She then spoke at length about Matthew Perry, who portrayed Chandler on the show. “That was the last person to be cast. I couldn’t figure out what Chandler sounded like while reading it. I thought Chandler was a gay character. And then Matthew Perry as Chandler—I never saw that coming. Hilarious, oh my god! That was revelatory.”
She further stated that their shared sense of humor made her chemistry with Perry special, adding that his acknowledgement and appreciation of her acting skills made their on-screen relationship click.
“I mean, we were all laughing at everything Matthew said. And we were laughing at each other,” she added.
To sum up the atmosphere on the sets of the hit TV show, she said it felt like a bunch of puppies playing. Moreover, she told the interviewer that while she was quite particular about program notes and ensuring everyone paid attention, working on the show taught her that trying to be an “A student” is the worst thing one can do in the arts.
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