After Years Of Finding It “Too Embarrassing,” Lisa Kudrow Explained Why She’s Started Rewatching “Friends” In Honor Of Matthew Perry

Lisa Kudrow is doing a Friends rewatch in honor of Matthew Perry.

Lisa starred as Phoebe Buffay on the iconic NBC sitcom, which ran for 10 seasons between 1994 and 2004.

Despite how universally beloved Friends is, Lisa has said she prefers not to watch it back, admitting in 2021 that she feels “ mortified ” by her performance on the show.

However, it sounds like her perspective on the topic has shifted since Matthew Perry's tragic death last year.

As I’m sure you remember, Matthew — who played Chandler Bing on the show — was found unresponsive at his home in LA on Oct. 28. An autopsy report later showed that his sudden death was an accident caused by the “ acute effects of ketamine .”

Shortly after Matthew’s passing, his Friends costars released a statement via People saying they were “so utterly devastated by the loss.”

And as Matthew’s costars have continued to process the loss, Lisa recently revealed that she’s finding great comfort in revisiting Friends .

“Honestly, I wasn’t able to watch it because it’s too embarrassing to watch yourself,” she told the Hollywood Reporter this week. “But if I make it about Matthew, then that’s OK.”

Lisa’s comments come only a few weeks after Jennifer Aniston broke down over a question about how it feels to watch Friends since Matthew’s passing.

Ron Davis / Getty Images, Variety / YouTube / Via youtu.be

During Variety’s Actors on Actors , Quinta Brunson was prompted to ask Jen “what it’s like” to watch Friends today. The question prompted silence between the two stars, and it soon became evident that Jennifer was fighting tears.

“You’re already crying. Do you want a minute? We don’t have to talk about [this],” Quinta said as Jen attempted to regain her composure and reassured everyone that she was crying “happy tears.”

More on this

• "Thank You For The Time I Got To Have With You, Matthew": Lisa Kudrow Shared A Tribute To Matthew Perry Natasha Jokic · Nov. 15, 2023
• Following Matthew Perry's Death, Several "Friends" Scenes Are Going Viral Because They Now Have A Deeper Meaning Nora Dominick · Oct. 31, 2023
• Following Matthew Perry's Death, The Cast Of "Friends" Has Issued A Statement Natasha Jokic · Oct. 30, 2023