Friends actress Lisa Kudrow has candidly revealed that one particular fan request consistently irritates her during public encounters. The revelation came during a lively appearance on ITV's flagship daytime programme This Morning, where she was interviewed by hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary.
The Smelly Cat Request That Annoys the Friends Star
Lisa Kudrow, who achieved global fame portraying the eccentric musician Phoebe Buffay in the iconic American sitcom Friends, explained that fans frequently approach her in restaurants and other public places with a specific demand. They insist that she perform Phoebe's most famous musical creation, the quirky song Smelly Cat, which became a cultural phenomenon during the show's original run.
"They sometimes do," Kudrow admitted when Alison Hammond asked if people regularly request the song. "To me, though, not here, but just in life, at a restaurant, demanding that I sing it, it irritates me a little bit." The actress clarified that while she appreciates fan enthusiasm, the expectation to perform spontaneously in everyday settings has become somewhat tiresome over the years.
An Unexpected Duet on Live Television
The conversation about Smelly Cat emerged after Alison Hammond persuaded Kudrow to perform an impromptu duet of the song during the live broadcast. Hammond, known for her infectious energy, joined the actress in singing several lines from the memorable tune, creating a lighthearted moment that delighted the studio audience.
Kudrow's appearance on This Morning served multiple purposes beyond discussing fan interactions. She was also promoting the third series of her television programme The Comeback, which interestingly films on the same soundstage where Friends was originally shot for nine successful seasons.
Emotional Return to the Friends Soundstage
The actress became visibly emotional when describing her recent return to the legendary Stage 24 at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. This is the very location where she filmed countless episodes alongside co-stars Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, Courteney Cox, and the late Matthew Perry.
"Because that is where, you know, I spent nine years, first year we were on another stage, and said goodbye to Friends," Kudrow shared with genuine feeling. "And then the reunion was shot there. And now the end of The Comeback." She emphasized how unexpectedly overwhelming the experience proved to be, particularly given the passage of time and the significant personal memories associated with the space.
A Full Circle Moment with Family Involvement
Adding to the emotional weight of the situation, Kudrow revealed that her son Julian appears in the current series of The Comeback. This created a poignant full-circle moment for the actress, who recalled bringing her son to the same soundstage when he was just a baby visiting the Friends set.
"He was there, and he was a baby till five, you know, visiting," she explained. "And there he is acting in it. It was a little overwhelming." The convergence of professional history and family involvement proved so powerful that Kudrow confessed she "barely got through shooting the last scene" and needed to step outside to compose herself.
Connections with Former Co-Stars
Following this emotional moment on set, Kudrow reached out to her former Friends castmates by sending a photograph of Jimmy Burrows. Burrows, who directed numerous episodes of Friends, also makes a special appearance in The Comeback. Jennifer Aniston's humorous response particularly amused Kudrow during her This Morning interview.
"Jennifer wrote back, 'Oh, what's my call time?'" she laughed, demonstrating the enduring camaraderie among the iconic ensemble cast. This exchange highlights how the bonds formed during their years working together on one of television's most successful comedies remain strong decades later.
Lisa Kudrow's appearance on This Morning provided viewers with rare insights into both the challenges of enduring fame and the emotional connections artists maintain with their most famous work. The programme continues to air on ITV from 10am on weekdays, regularly featuring celebrity interviews and entertainment discussions.
