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Lisa Kudrow Preserved Mad About You Role Doubting Friends Would Succeed

Lisa Kudrow was initially uncertain about the success of the new sitcom "Friends" and wanted to preserve her recurring role on the established show "Mad About You." She explained her fear that even good shows often get canceled, so she sought security. The network creatively solved her dual appearance by making her "Mad About You" character, Ursula, the twin sister of her "Friends" character, Phoebe. Kudrow also recently admitted she watches old episodes of "Friends" but is too embarrassed to do so in front of her husband.

Key Points: Lisa Kudrow Preserved Role, Doubted Friends Success

  • Kudrow doubted Friends would succeed
  • She kept her role on Mad About You as backup
  • Ursula was written as Phoebe's twin sister
  • She still watches Friends but is embarrassed
3 min read

Lisa Kudrow 'preserved' another role as she wasn't convinced 'Friends' would be a hit

Lisa Kudrow reveals she kept her Mad About You role, fearing Friends would fail. She explains the unique twin sister storyline that resulted.

"I was preserving Mad About You for myself. - Lisa Kudrow"

Los Angeles, March 30

Hollywood star Lisa Kudrow, popular for playing the iconic character Phoebe Buffay, was wary of leaving "Mad About You" for the then-unknown sitcom "Friends", so was keen to "preserve" her role if possible.

She played Phoebe Buffay for 10 years on the beloved comedy series, but when she was first cast in the role, she had a recurring role as a sarcastic and indifferent waitress in an already-established comedy series.

She told Vanity Fair magazine: "I was really proud to be able to have a role on Mad About You.

"Honestly, when I shot the pilot of Friends, I thought, 'Yeah, I mean, this is a good show. But good shows don't get picked up all the time.'

"Thank God for Mad About You, which was my favourite show on TV. I mean, I thought that was such a great show. It was a quality multi-camera show..."

"If there's any hope of me being able to stay on Mad About You, after the (Friends) pilot doesn't get picked up or they pick it up for, you know, 12 more episodes, and then that's it... like after this fails, because there's no telling what's gonna happen, something can be great, and still, it gets cancelled, I'd still have Mad About You.

"I was preserving Mad About You for myself."

After Lisa was cast in Friends, which debuted in 1994 and also starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and the late Matthew Perry, the channel had a dilemma as to how to explain away the fact the same actress would be appearing in two primetime shows as different characters, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

So the actress was delighted when her Mad About You character, Ursula Buffay, was introduced as Phoebe's twin sister, adding depth to her back story.

She said: "Friends found that they had to justify why this same face and voice is gonna be on at 8:00 p.m. on Mad About You once in a while, and then there she is at 8:30 p.m. on Friends.

They had to cope with that. And incorporate Ursula into Friends. I was thrilled, you know, that I could still be Ursula."

The actress recently said that she has been catching up on old episodes of Friends but it "too embarrassed" to watch it in front of her husband Michael Stern.

Asked what sitcoms she watches, she said on BBC Radio 2: "Friends at night before going to bed. I haven't seen many episodes. I sit in the family room, and I wait until my husband goes to sleep because I'm too embarrassed for anyone to see me watching it - but I'll tell all of you!

"He knows that I like watching it."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
This is a great behind-the-scenes story. Makes you appreciate the actors' journeys. We only see the success, not the anxiety. Phoebe was my favourite character on Friends, especially her songs! "Smelly Cat" is legendary.
A
Aman W
Honestly, it's a bit surprising to hear she's embarrassed to watch her own show in front of her husband. She should be proud! Friends brought so much joy to millions, including us in India. It's a classic.
S
Sarah B
The twin sister plot was such a clever fix by the writers! It's fun when shows do that. I remember watching both shows in syndication here. It's amazing how one decision can change your entire career trajectory.
V
Vikram M
Shows how unpredictable the entertainment industry is, be it Hollywood or Bollywood. Many actors here also do multiple projects simultaneously as a safety net. Her story is a lesson in practical career management.
K
Kavya N
Friends is such a comfort show for so many of my generation. We grew up with it on TV. It's funny to think it almost didn't happen for Phoebe! Life works in mysterious ways. 🍀

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