The actress remains deeply appreciative of “Friends” and the people who made it possible, yet there is one particular request from fans that she has no desire to fulfill.
Kudrow discussed her enduring connection to the sitcom during a recent appearance on Fresh Air with Terry Gross & Tonya Mosley, according to People.
Lisa Kudrow Still Has Plenty of Love for Phoebe
Phoebe was one of the six central characters on “Friends,” portrayed by Kudrow throughout all 236 episodes of the sitcom’s 10-season run. The character became known for her eccentric worldview, unconventional personality, acoustic guitar performances and a collection of deliberately odd songs.
Among those songs, “Smelly Cat” became Phoebe’s signature musical moment. She first performs it at Central Perk, and the song eventually receives its own music video storyline after a record producer takes an interest in it.
Kudrow, however, does not appear interested in turning that particular piece of the character into a real-life performance on demand. “Sometimes people will stop me and say, ‘Oh, sing ‘Smelly Cat.’ I don’t want to do that. I really don’t want to do that,” she said.
The refusal comes alongside an otherwise warm assessment of her “Friends” experience. Kudrow highlighted the relationship among the cast members, recalling that they genuinely enjoyed spending time together. “That is so rare. And real honest respect, mutual respect.”
The actress also made a point of emphasizing that her positive memories extend beyond the series’ enormous success. For Kudrow, the experience included the effort the cast put into maintaining their bonds while working long shooting days, including spending downtime together and playing poker. “It was a really good relationship that took some work, and we did the work,” she stated.
Phoebe remains one of Kudrow’s defining roles, earning her major recognition during the show’s run, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and several other honors, along with a Golden Globe nomination. Yet when it comes to bringing one of Phoebe’s most famous songs back to life, Kudrow’s answer is simple: she would rather not.