Lisa Kudrows son had a rude reaction to seeing Friends for the first time
Lisa Kudrow pops up everywhere. She’s currently producing an American version of the BBC genealogy show called Who Do You Think You Are? She also voices Honey in the animated show Housebroken where she plays a poodle who is an untrained therapist to a bunch of misfit animals. I cannot explain why I like that show but I do. I think because it’s so weird. Lisa was on Late Night with Seth Meyers the other night and Seth brought up some of her past work. Specifically, how her son Julian felt about it. Julian is Lisa’s only child. He’s 24 now. I can’t believe that. I still remember Lisa’s pregnancy being written into the Friends storyline as Phoebe being a surrogate for her stepbrother and his teacher/wife. Phoebe couldn’t go to London for Ross’ wedding because of it. Lisa said when Julian watched Friends for the first time, he thought it was funny. Well, he though “the guys” were funny. Then he threw his mom a bone saying that, “No, I mean, you’re funny too.”
“Friends” may have countless superfans around the world – but Lisa Kudrow’s son isn’t necessarily one of them. In fact, according to Kudrow, her son’s first reaction to the show was actually pretty “demeaning.”
To be clear, it’s not that he didn’t like the NBC sitcom, it’s just that his mom wasn’t exactly his favorite part of it. During an interview with Seth Meyers in support of “Who Do You Think You Are?”, which she executive produces, Kudrow explained that her son first watched “Friends” when all his own friends began watching it in school.
According to the actress, her son was a bit surprised by the humor in it – but favored his mother’s male co-stars.
“He was impressed. He goes, ‘It’s actually really funny,’” Kudrow said with a laugh. “He said, ‘It’s actually really funny, and I mean, the guys are so funny.’ And he’s like, ‘No, I mean, you’re funny, too.’ And never in my life have I wanted to tell my own kid, like, f— you!”
Kudrow assured Meyers that she didn’t really say “f— you,” but she definitely thought it.
“I mean, listen, it’s not required that you’re a fan. You don’t have to like what I do,” she continued. “But don’t be so demeaning! Wow!”
This has to be a “mom” thing because Phoebe is consistently one of the funniest characters on the show. But Julian was young when he first saw Friends and you’re just Mom at that that age. Nothing outside of making chocolate chip cookies impresses kids. Although I do agree, the guys were really funny, too. The lead in to the Friends story was that Julian watched The Comeback when he had Covid and called his mom to tell her how much he liked it. So clearly his tastes have matured, and he can recognize his mother’s comedic genius now that he’s older and wiser. I keep reminding my kids that one day they’ll get me too.
I haven’t checked out Who Do You Think You Are? yet. The clip they showed was with Allison Janney, she’d be a hoot. Do they ever do genealogy shows with non-famous people? I need to sign up for one of those. We just found out something we’ve always been told is true is not and now we have a bunch of theories and questions. But I have no idea how to begin. Maybe Lisa can come do a show on us? I’ll make sure I’ll start my application by saying that I always thought Phoebe was way funnier than the guys.
Photo credit: Instagram, Avalon Red and Cover Images
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