Lisa Kudrow has spoken candidly about her now 24-year-old son’s “humiliating” reaction after watching her hit sitcom Friends – and revealed her horror when he told her he was surprised to discover that she actually was could be funny.
The 58-year-old actress, who played Phoebe Buffay on the classic sitcom between 1994 and 2004, opened up about her 24-year-old son’s thoughts on her work during an appearance on ‘Late Night With Seth Meyers.’
The comeback star explained that because her child – who she shares with husband Michel Stern – was just five when Friends wrapped, he didn’t watch the show until years after filming finished.
However, when he finally got around to watching the hit show, his reaction to his mother’s on-screen appearance wasn’t quite what she expected.
Seal of approval: Lisa Kudrow has been open about her son Julian’s reaction to her work as Phoebe Buffay in Friends – pictured in 2019
“He was five when we finished [filming]…but he started watching when his friends at school started watching,” Kurdrow recalled.
“He saw it and was impressed. He said, “It’s actually really funny, I mean the guys are so funny.”
Kudrow then added that her son was apparently shocked to find out his mom was funny on the show too, as she continued, “He’s like, ‘No, I mean, you’re funny too.’
“Never in my life have I wanted to say to my own child, ‘F**k you!’ I mean I thought it, I didn’t say it.’
The Space Force actress shared a laugh with the presenter at her son’s reaction, adding: “It doesn’t require you to be a fan. You don’t have to like what I do. But don’t be so demeaning!’
Throwback: The comeback star recalled the moment her child first watched a few episodes when they were little in a new interview
Thank you: The comedic actress joked with host Seth Meyers about the unintentional “degrading” way her son had reacted
All grown up: The 58-year-old actress explained that her son was “surprised” at how funny she was on the iconic sitcom – pictured in 2013
Kudrow was also happy to share that Julian was now a fan of her other series, The Comeback, having adjusted to multiple episodes during his recovery from Covid-19.
“He called me and said, ‘Well, I just watched the first two episodes. It’s really good mom,” she told Meyers. ‘ I said, ‘Thank you.’ He said, “Can I ask you some questions about that?” I’m like, “Yeah!” I almost started crying. I didn’t think anyone in my family liked this show.”
Elsewhere, Kudrow recently revealed she was having a harder time getting her famous Friends role because Friends director James Burrows wasn’t immediately convinced of her.
Explaining that Burrows had previously fired her from the role of Roz on Frasier after the pilot episode wrapped in 1993, Kudrow said, “I was cast as Roz on Frasier, mistakenly cast. I didn’t know that then.
Iconic role: Kudrow won millions of fans around the world for her portrayal of the quirky and eccentric character
“I knew Jim read the table that I was wrong, so I was like, ‘Oh, he doesn’t like me or what I do.'”
The actress added, “Then we do ‘Friends’ and I had to do a special audition for Jim Burrows. You have to audition for producers and studio, network, but in between all that I had to go and read for Jim Burrows.
“I thought maybe everyone should do it, but I found out a few years ago that I was the only one. Just to make sure Jimmy was okay, I played Phoebe.
‘So [on set for the pilot] I said, “Ugh damn it, Jimmy Burrows is directing this.” It was more defeat than anger.’
Kudrow revealed that she had some trouble with Burrow’s stage directions, but they ultimately cleared the air.
Motherly love: Kudrow – who Julian shares with husband Michel Stern – shared her delight at his recent praise for her other show, The Comeback – pictured in 2021
Famous Friends: (LR) Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay, Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller, Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, David Schwimmer as Ross Geller in Friends
Appearing on the Jess Cagle podcast with Julia Cunnigham, she added: “We were getting ready to do a run through and I have to do my Phoebe monologue and he’s like, ‘Lisa, sit under the table, um to read the monologue, do it under the table, she’s out there.”
“And I just said, ‘My God, I can’t connect with anyone. If you need to demonstrate how much my character doesn’t belong with those people… I did my best, and then after the run, David Kran [Friends co-creator] says, “Lisa, it’s fun that you’re under the table,” like it’s my idea, “but I’m not sure it’ll work.”
“And I just said ‘OK, yes,’ but Jimmy admitted it was his idea, and then I knew I could trust him.”