"It's six people on a couch... that's a show?"

    About This Interview

    In her three-hour interview, Lisa Kudrow talks about growing up with the hopes of becoming a biomedical engineer and how her goals shifted to acting. She discusses her work with the improv group The Groundlings and with acting coach Cynthia Sigetti. She speaks of getting her first break from Aaron Spelling, who cast her in the play Ladies Room and chronicles several early guest actor roles on Cheers, Newhart and Mad About You before getting a chance to audition for a new pilot created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman. Kudrow then details how she got the role of "Phoebe" on Friends and discusses developing the character and some of the songs on the show. She explains how the idea for "Ursula" ("Phoebe's" twin sister) came about and talks of working with the cast and the many guest actors on the program. She speaks of The Comeback, which she co-created with producer Michael Patrick King and describes coming up with the character "Fiona Wallice" for her Showtime series Web Therapy. Karen Herman conducted the interview on December 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Lisa Kudrow

    Lisa Kudrow on being apprehensive about auditioning for James Burrows for Friends: "no notes"

    04:05
    Thumbnail of Lisa Kudrow

    Lisa Kudrow on her proudest professional achievement with Web Therapy

    00:55
    Thumbnail of Lisa Kudrow

    Lisa Kudrow on advice to aspiring actors "as long as it's not porn, do it"

    00:37
    Thumbnail of Lisa Kudrow

    Lisa Kudrow on her audition for Mad About You

    00:54
    Thumbnail of Lisa Kudrow

    Lisa Kudrow on what she learned about acting from her work at The Groundlings Improv group

    02:01
    Thumbnail of Lisa Kudrow

    Lisa Kudrow on shooting the final episode of Friends and the one item she has from the set, given to her by Matthew Perry

    02:48
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On her early years and influences; on the television shows that had an impact on her as a young girl, such as Mary Tyler Moore, All in the Family, Newhart; on wanting to be an actress from an early age

    10:23

    On being a serious student in high school; on her studies at Vassar College where she majored in Biology; on deciding to leave pharmacology to try and become an actress

    07:22

    On the encouragement she received from her brother's friend Jon Lovitz; on taking acting classes with Cynthia Szigeti and her introduction to The Groundlings Improv group in Los Angeles; on working with Conan O'Brien in her classes

    15:38

    On how she created her first "airhead" character while in The Groundlings; on how her first performance was a real turning point for her

    05:21

    On her first professional audition and first job in a play "Ladies Room" that was produced by Aaron Spelling and written by Groundling Robin Schiff in 1987; on how her "Michele" character would be revived ten years later in "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion"; on her first guest-starring role on television (Cheers) and realizing some of the challenges of doing a long-running show

    12:46

    On auditioning for Saturday Night Live; on a guest-role on Newhart for the series' finale

    05:39

    Chapter 2

    On being passed over for the role of "Roz" on Frasier; on working with James Burrows on the pilot for Frasier; on guest-starring on Mad About You; on becoming a blonde

    59:59

    On hearing about the Friends script and auditioning for the role of "Phoebe"; on meeting James Burrows a second time

    47:03

    On Friends' first table read; on creating the character of "Phoebe"; on shooting the pilot

    30:44

    On her Friends' character and the production of the show; on "Smelly Cat" and some of the other songs on the show

    09:12

    Chapter 3

    On a typical workweek on Friends; on how her own pregnancy was handled on the show; on working with guest actor Teri Garr

    59:58

    On the impact of 9/11 on Friends and on the cast

    50:19

    On the sudden popularity of Friends  and the cast's appearance on Oprah Winfrey's show; on fame 

    43:35

    On the finale of Friends; on her favorite episodes; on where the characters would be today; on the show's legacy

    39:29

    On the origin of her next big series, The Comeback, which she co-created with Michael Patrick King; on creating the character "Valerie Cherish"

    30:06

    On creating her production company, Is or Isn't Entertainment, with Dan Bucatinsky

    22:36

    On creating her series Web Therapy; on the premise of the show; on developing her character's voice; on guest-stars Julia Louis-Dreyfuss  and Lily Tomlin

    09:09

    On working with Meryl Streep on Web Therapy and guest-stars Conan O'Brien and David Schwimmer

    11:36

    On becoming executive producer of Who Do You Think You Are? and tracing her own family history on one episode

    08:10

    On the film Opposite of Sex being one of the highlights of her career

    02:22

    Chapter 4

    On guest-starring roles on Cougar Town and The Simpsons

    59:57

    On fame and handling paparazzi; on what fans would be surprised to know about her

    58:43

    On her proudest professional achievement with The Comeback and Web Therapy

    56:40

    On advice to aspiring actors and comedians; on where she sees herself in ten years

    55:07

    Amazing Race, The

    Lisa Kudrow on how The Amazing Race inspired her show The Comeback as well as other reality shows

    28:22

    Bob

    Lisa Kudrow on her "ditzy" character she played on Bob, with Bob Newhart

    31:45

    Cheers

    Lisa Kudrow on her first guest-starring role on Cheers (the episode "Two Girls for Every Boyd"), and on what she learned from that set about working in television

    08:14

    Comeback, The

    Lisa Kudrow on her proudest professional achievement with The Comeback

    00:34

    Lisa Kudrow on the origin of her next big series, The Comeback, which she co-created with Michael Patrick King

    30:06

    Lisa Kudrow on how The Amazing Race inspired her show The Comeback as well as other reality shows

    28:22

    Lisa Kudrow on creating her Comeback character "Valerie Cherish" and the rest of the cast on the show

    26:30

    Lisa Kudrow on working with HBO on The Comeback and why it only lasted one season

    24:26

    Friends

    Lisa Kudrow on being initially cast as "Roz" on Frasier, then being subsequently let go after the pilot was shot

    59:59

    Lisa Kudrow on hearing about the Friends script and auditioning for the role of "Phoebe"

    47:03

    Lisa Kudrow on her audition for "Phoebe" on Friends; on meeting James Burrows a second time

    44:50

    Lisa Kudrow on how her Mad About You guest-role contributed to creating "Phoebe's" twin sister "Ursula" on Friends; on the difference between the roles

    40:19

    Lisa Kudrow on getting a TV Guide "Cheers" for her "Ursula" character on Friends  

    34:14

    Lisa Kudrow on how Friends was first described to her; on the casts' first table read

    30:44

    Lisa Kudrow on creating "Phoebe" as a character on Friends

    26:45

    Lisa Kudrow on casting Friends; on Matthew Perry being the last actor cast

    29:28

    Lisa Kudrow on how she would describe "Phoebe" on Friends; on her strengths and weaknesses

    09:12

    Lisa Kudrow on "Smelly Cat" and other popular Friends songs her character sang

    04:45

    Lisa Kudrow on how the production worked around shooting her "twin" on Friends

    06:23

    Lisa Kudrow on the evolution of her Friends' character "Phoebe"; on how her own pregnancy was handled on the show

    05:45

    Lisa Kudrow on working with Teri Garr on Friends as her mother on the show

    51:16

    Lisa Kudrow on shooting the Halloween episode of Friends right after 9/11

    50:19

    Lisa Kudrow on Phoebe's wedding on Friends; on working with Paul Rudd

    44:12

    Lisa Kudrow on the finale of Friends

    39:29

    Lisa Kudrow on shooting the final episode of Friends and the one item she has from the set, given to her by Matthew Perry - a cookie jar

    02:48

    Lisa Kudrow on her favorite episodes of Friends; on the flashback episodes

    35:01

    Lisa Kudrow on the Friends episode where "Phoebe" seduces "Chandler"; on whether there could be a reunion

    33:38

    Lisa Kudrow on whether there could be a Friends reunion; on where "Phoebe" would be today

    32:37

    Lisa Kudrow on the legacy of Friends and the message of the show

    00:49

    Mad About You

    Lisa Kudrow on guest-starring on Mad About You and meeting Richard Kind

    52:07

    Lisa Kudrow on working with Helen Hunt on Mad About You; on what she learned from her

    36:17

    Lisa Kudrow on watching TV after 9/11 and finding solace in a "world where there's no such thing as 9/11"

    02:46

    Mary Tyler Moore Show, The

    Lisa Kudrow on being influenced by The Mary Tyler Moore Show as a young girl

    00:11

    Newhart: "The Last Newhart"

    Lisa Kudrow on appearing on the series finale of Newhart, and on working with Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette

    03:37

    Oprah Winfrey Show, The

    Lisa Kudrow on the sudden popularity of Friends and the cast's appearance on Oprah Winfrey's show

    43:35

    Saturday Night Live

    Lisa Kudrow on auditioning for Saturday Night Live for Lorne Michaels while she was at The Groundlings (Julia Louis-Dreyfus got the part instead), and on later hosting the show

    04:22

    Web Therapy

    Lisa Kudrow on her proudest professional achievement with Web Therapy

    00:55

    Lisa Kudrow on developing her character on Web Therapy; on the premise of the show; on her character's voice

    19:26

    Lisa Kudrow on developing the character "Fiona Wallice" on Web Therapy

    01:25

    Lisa Kudrow on working with the many guest-stars on Web Therapy: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lily Tomlin, Conan O'Brien, and David Schwimmer

    13:59

    Who Do You Think You Are?

    Lisa Kudrow on becoming involved with the NBC series Who Do You Think You Are? and her role as executive producer

    08:10

    Lisa Kudrow on big-name stars signing on to participate on Who Do You Think You Are? and why she feels the show is important

    03:51

    9/11

    Lisa Kudrow on shooting the Halloween episode of Friends right after 9/11

    50:19

    Lisa Kudrow on watching TV after 9/11 and finding solace in a "world where there's no such thing as 9/11"

    02:46

    Fame and Celebrity

    Lisa Kudrow on the sudden popularity of Friends and the cast's appearance on Oprah Winfrey's show

    04:06

    Lisa Kudrow on how fame affected the cast members of Friends; on not being able to go out in public after their success hit

    02:24

    Lisa Kudrow on the "overexposure" of the cast of Friends

    01:10

    Pop Culture

    Lisa Kudrow on "Smelly Cat" and other popular Friends songs her character sang

    04:45

    Television Industry

    Lisa Kudrow on the sudden popularity of Friends and the cast's appearance on Oprah Winfrey's show

    04:06

    Lisa Kudrow on how fame affected the cast members of Friends; on not being able to go out in public after their success hit

    02:24

    Lisa Kudrow on the "overexposure" of the cast of Friends

    01:10

    Actress

    Lisa Kudrow on realizing there was no "mystical truth" to becoming a working actor after seeing her brother's friend, Jon Lovitz, land a gig on Saturday Night Live

    01:39

    Lisa Kudrow on what she learned about acting from her work at The Groundlings Improv group and how invaluable the character monologues were

    29:54

    Lisa Kudrow on her first-ever performance in front of an audience

    03:21

    Lisa Kudrow on some realities of working in television and the expectations and challenges of coming in as guest-star on a long-running sitcom

    04:18

    Lisa Kudrow on the challenges of performing the same character for so many years, as on Friends with "Phoebe"

    02:08

    Lisa Kudrow on advice to aspiring actors "as long as it's not porn, do it"

    01:09

    Performers

    Lisa Kudrow on realizing there was no "mystical truth" to becoming a working actor after seeing her brother's friend, Jon Lovitz, land a gig on Saturday Night Live

    01:39

    Lisa Kudrow on what she learned about acting from her work at The Groundlings Improv group and how invaluable the character monologues were

    29:54

    Lisa Kudrow on her first-ever performance in front of an audience

    03:21

    Lisa Kudrow on some realities of working in television and the expectations and challenges of coming in as guest-star on a long-running sitcom

    04:18

    Lisa Kudrow on the challenges of performing the same character for so many years, as on Friends with "Phoebe"

    02:08

    Lisa Kudrow on advice to aspiring actors "as long as it's not porn, do it"

    01:09

    Comedy Series

    Lisa Kudrow on watching TV after 9/11 and finding solace in a "world where there's no such thing as 9/11"

    02:46

    Dan Bucatinksy

    Lisa Kudrow on creating her production company, Is or Isn't Entertainment, with Dan Bucatinsky

    22:36

    James Burrows

    Lisa Kudrow on her audition for "Phoebe" on Friends; on meeting James Burrows, who had directed her on Cheers, for the second time

    44:50

    Lisa Kudrow on working with James Burrows on Friends; on pitching her ideas

    17:22

    Courteney Cox

    Lisa Kudrow on working with Courtney Cox on Friends and how she helped the castmates, which was "crucial" to setting the tone of the show

    19:59

    David Crane

    Lisa Kudrow on working with Friends co-creators and writers David Crane and Marta Kauffman

    22:37

    Teri Garr

    Lisa Kudrow on working with Terri Garr on Friends as her mother on the show

    51:16

    Helen Hunt

    Lisa Kudrow on working with Helen Hunt on Mad About You; on what she learned from her

    36:17

    Marta Kauffman

    Lisa Kudrow on working with Friends co-creators and writers David Crane and Marta Kauffman

    22:37

    Julia Louis-Dreyfus

    Lisa Kudrow on working with Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Web Therapy

    00:57

    Jon Lovitz

    Lisa Kudrow on how Jon Lovitz encouraged her to pursue acting as a career and suggested she go to The Groundlings Improv group in Los Angeles, which she later did

    00:49

    Bob Newhart

    Lisa Kudrow on working with Bob Newhart on the Newhart finale

    32:38

    Conan O'Brien

    Lisa Kudrow on meeting Conan O'Brien at The Groundlings when they were both struggling actors; and how he impressed her in their acting classes

    02:08

    Lisa Kudrow on working with Conan O'Brien on Web Therapy

    00:44

    Sean Penn

    Lisa Kudrow on working with Sean Penn on Friends right after 9/11

    03:04

    David Schwimmer

    Lisa Kudrow on working with David Schwimmer on Web Therapy

    09:35

    Meryl Streep

    Lisa Kudrow on working with Meryl Streep on Web Therapy

    01:16

    Cynthia Szigeti

    Lisa Kudrow on taking acting classes with Cynthia Szgeti, an Improv coach associated with The Groundlings; on what she learned about committing to a character

    05:56

    Lily Tomlin

    Lisa Kudrow on working with Lily Tomlin on Web Therapy

    00:53

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