Friends star Lisa Kudrow reveals why she got “really angry” at laughing studio audience

Friends star Lisa Kudrow reveals why she got “really angry” at laughing studio audience

As a long-time fan of Friends and an avid lover of sitcoms, I can’t help but feel a deep connection to Lisa Kudrow’s recent revelation about her frustration with the live studio audience during the filming of the iconic show.


Lisa Kudrow, known for her role in “Friends,” shared that she felt irritated at times when the live audience laughed excessively during the recording of episodes.

On Conan O’Brien’s podcast, the actress who portrayed Phoebe Buffay shared her struggles with over-the-top reactions during filming of the popular sitcom. She explained to Conan how these exaggerated responses created challenges for both the actors and production team.

She expressed her disappointment, “That wasn’t an authentic reaction, it annoyed me.” Later, she added, “Now you’re disrupting the flow of the remaining performance. There are other lines to be delivered. At times, I would even interrupt if they had laughed too excessively, saying ‘Let’s move on.’ in a frustrated tone.”

In a sitcom filmed in a studio like Friends, humorous parts are pre-planned with scripted laugh tracks. However, certain extended reactions required by the actors resulted in unwanted long pauses, which might seem unnatural and disrupt the enjoyment of viewers watching at home.

“A TV show isn’t meant for the live audience in the studio,” Kudow explained. “Instead, it’s designed for viewers watching at home. Our priority is to entertain them. If it were a stage play, sure, laugh as much as you like. I’d find ways to keep my character engaged during the wait.”

I’ve been there before, standing in front of a camera, nervously waiting for my cue to speak. It’s an unsettling feeling, knowing that every word and gesture is being captured for all to see. And then it happens – someone else repeats something I said earlier, nodding along as if they’re in agreement. It’s a disorienting experience, made worse by the fact that we were explicitly told not to do anything that could be construed as endorsement or agreement. The irony is bitter, and I can’t help but feel a sense of helplessness and frustration. Life in the public eye can be unpredictable and challenging, but it’s important to remember that authenticity and integrity are key.

As a movie enthusiast, I can tell you that managing the pacing of a production is crucial, especially when working within the constraints of US broadcast television. In my experience, these networks strictly enforce time limits, with sitcoms often having to fit within a 22-minute frame.

Friends star Lisa Kudrow reveals why she got “really angry” at laughing studio audience

As a dedicated moviegoer, I’ve come to appreciate the intricacies behind the scenes of filmmaking. However, during a particular production, I encountered an intriguing challenge from Kudrow. He shared that having a studio audience on set presented a double-edged sword. On one hand, their immediate feedback through laughter was invaluable for fine-tuning jokes and ensuring a solid performance. But on the other hand, their reactions could also prove misleading at times.

“However, it succeeded initially!” Kudrow reassured them. “The only thing I’m aware of is that you will transfer the canned laughter from the initial recording to this one. Who is being affected negatively by not laughing?”

“I am OK if they aren’t laughing as hard. We can keep going.”

For over ten years, Friends was aired on American broadcasting station NBC. Today, it continues to be a favorite among viewers in the United Kingdom, available for streaming on Netflix.

In 2021, the original cast came together for a reflective TV program. Sadly, this marked Matthew Perry’s last on-screen performance as he passed away towards the end of the previous year.

Recently, Kudrow shared that she has been re-watching the sitcom as a tribute to his memory. Currently, she can be seen acting in the fantasy adventure series “Time Bandits” on Apple TV+. (Or) Kudrow has disclosed that she has begun re-visiting the sitcom in remembrance of him. At present, she features in the fantasy adventure show “Time Bandits,” which streams on Apple TV+.

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2024-07-24 13:03