My Eyes

In the beloved sitcom ‘Friends’, which debuted in 1994 and soon became one of the greatest sitcoms ever made, Lisa Kudrow’s character Phoebe Buffay delivered some remarkable dialogues. However, one particular dialogue stood out as the show’s most memorable moment. As streaming services started carrying ‘Friends’ a few years ago, its popularity soared once more due to its impressive 236 episodes that continue to entertain viewers. The cast of ‘Friends’ was filled with engaging personalities, but none could match the quirky charm of Phoebe Buffay.

For 10 seasons of “Friends”, Phoebe consistently made viewers chuckle with her eccentric character and uproarious comments. However, a specific dialogue from Matthew Perry stands out as particularly memorable and resonated long after the episodes ended. Interestingly, this was Phoebe’s funniest line not only because it was her best, but also because many believe it contributed to what could be considered the series’ finest episode in its entirety.

Lisa Kudrow Stole “My Eyes, My Eyes” From Matthew Perry (And He Was Cool With It)

Phoebe’s Iconic Line Was Actually Inspired By Lisa Kudrow’s Friends Co-Star

During an interview with Jennifer Aniston for a Friends reunion in 2020 (reported by Variety), Kudrow revealed the story behind Phoebe’s famous “My eyes!” line in the episode “The One Where Everybody Finds Out.” In this episode, where the rest of the group discovers Monica and Chandler’s relationship, Phoebe humorously reacts upon spotting her two best friends together. Inspired by Matthew Perry’s character, Chandler Bing, Kudrow imitated the way Perry emphasized certain words while acting.

During rehearsal, Kudrow gave the impression a try and it turned out wonderfully. However, she made sure to seek Perry’s approval before filming the episode since she was uncertain about his reaction. Fortunately, Perry was enthusiastic about the idea and granted permission. Aniston also mentioned in the interview that they had to ask Perry for consent whenever they mimicked Chandler’s mannerisms, as it was important to him. Thankfully, Kudrow’s idea received Perry’s approval, resulting in one of Phoebe Buffay’s most memorable lines on Friends.

Phoebe’s “My Eyes” Became The Most Iconic Moment From Friends’ Funniest Episode

“The One Where Everybody Finds Out” Is A Classic & Hilarious Episode

Among the memorable episodes of “Friends,” many stand out due to specific dialogue exchanges. The episode titled “The One Where Everyone Finds Out” is widely regarded as the best, and it’s thanks to Jennifer Aniston’s portrayal that one of its most iconic moments was born. Watching Phoebe’s dramatic reaction to spotting Monica and Chandler kissing across the street was priceless, particularly because she could only muster a few words: their names and “My eyes!

Phoebe shut her eyes so tight when she spun around, you might think her sight had momentarily failed.
Everyone who discovered Monica and Chandler’s secret in this episode came up with an impressive reaction, but Phoebe’s was the most memorable. Ross’ response was a bit excessive, which could be attributed to his work-related woes. The episode titled “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” was packed with backstory, making it strange that it became the highest-rated Friends episode, considering popular sitcom episodes often revolve around standalone stories. However, this storyline seemed to resonate strongly with viewers.

The Origin Of “My Eyes” Makes “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” Even More Special

Kudrow & Perry’s Friendship Made This Episode Of Friends Even Better

Back in a 2014 AMA, Lisa Kudrow from Friends fondly remembered Matthew Perry as the funniest colleague she’d ever encountered away from set (as shared on Reddit). Her heartfelt remarks added an extra layer of warmth to her portrayal of their friendship during “The One Where Everybody Finds Out,” making it even more touching and memorable. Since Perry’s passing in 2023, the world has continued to grieve his loss. Kudrow’s recent comments to Variety about the famous “My eyes!” line underscored the enduring bond they shared, both when the cameras were rolling and off-camera.

In the annals of their careers, the friendships forged on the set of Friends will forever shine brightly, and it’s touching to know that Jennifer Aniston (Kudrow) was so dedicated to her portrayal of Phoebe Buffay that she felt at ease adopting some of her fellow cast members’ quirks – a testament to their camaraderie and shared commitment to humor. While it would have been side-splitting to see Kudrow do this in any scene, she chose the most opportune moment to do so. This particular instance was a delightful nod to both David Schwimmer (Perry) and Matthew Perry (Chandler), as it was during an episode of Friends where Phoebe took center stage in the narrative.

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2025-05-17 21:31