‘We are too afraid to make jokes’: Friends actress Lisa Kudrow says why she does not watch modern sitcoms

Lisa Kudrow won hearts as the candid, bubbly and eccentric Phoebe Buffay in the award-winning American television sitcom Friends. The show, also starring Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, and the late Matthew Perry in lead roles, aired from 1994 to 2004, running successfully for 10 seasons. One of the reasons that Friends was such a cult show was that it blended relatable everyday situations with sharp and often crass humour and heartfelt moments, creating characters that felt like real friends to the audience and stories that continue to resonate across generations.

Lisa Kudrow on new-age sitcoms

But according to Lisa Kudrow, modern-day sitcoms lack the edge of unpredictability. The actress, in a conversation with host Lily Tomlin for a piece in Interview Magazine, shared that the makers do not experiment with humour anymore, playing it safe when in reality, comedy should be bold and fearless so that it can connect and surprise audiences.

Lisa Kudrow, in the candid interaction, revealed how she wished comedies could evolve in today’s time. Giving the example of Friends and Tina Fey’s 30 Rock, Kudrow said that both these series were actually funny and really well-written. But such sitcomes are rare now, more so because of the multi-camera production. ‘I don’t know if that’s just because I have seen too many single-camera sitcoms,’ she added.

Lisa Kudrow on what needs to change

Lisa Kudrow further pointed out that it was high time makers started bringing jokes on the small screen, without any hesitation. She said that people today are afraid of hurting sentiments or making the audience feel uncomfortable, which ultimately fails the purpose of a true-blue sitcom. When the host argued that multi-cams are not ‘short on jokes, Kudrow had the perfect response.

The 62-year-old stated that the best jokes are never tame. Instead, they are the kind that leave audiences surprised, almost making them think, ‘I can’t believe that was just said.’ She emphasised that comedy thrives on unpredictability, adding that truly effective humour comes from moments that viewers do not see coming.

Workwise, Lisa Kudrow was last seen in the third and final season of The Comeback, which premiered on March 22. Following the premiere, new episodes of the comedy series are scheduled to be released weekly on HBO and Max, continuing into April. The Comeback also stars Laura Silverman, Damian Young, Matt Cook and Dan Bucatinsky in crucial roles.