Lisa Kudrow says watching FRIENDS helped her cope with Matthew Perry's death
Lisa Kudrow said rewatching FRIENDS has been comforting and "healing" after Matthew Perry's death. She also revealed she still feels "too embarrassed" to watch the show in front of her family.
Actor Lisa Kudrow has opened up about how revisiting FRIENDS has become a source of comfort following the death of her co-star Matthew Perry. While the show now holds emotional significance for her, Kudrow also revealed that she still feels “too embarrassed” to watch it in front of her family and prefers doing so in private.
Speaking on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show, Kudrow admitted, "FRIENDS at night before going to bed. I haven't seen a lot of episodes." She added that she deliberately watches it alone, explaining, "I'm too embarrassed for anyone to see me watching it." However, she clarified that her husband, Michel Stern, is aware of her habit.
The actor also shared that she didn’t watch many episodes during the show’s original run due to her busy filming schedule. Reflecting on that time, she said, "Only the first couple of seasons because we were busy. I don’t think any of us watched every episode. And we were also not hanging out watching the show as it's being shot. At first, you are. And then you're just too busy, even during the show."
In recent years, Kudrow has found herself returning to the sitcom, especially after Perry’s death. She recalled watching marathon episodes on television, saying it brought her comfort and helped her cope with the loss.
“He was so funny, I mean, the funniest," she said, remembering Perry’s portrayal of Chandler Bing. "Sorry, everybody else, but just truly." Kudrow added that watching the series now feels “important” and “kind of healing.”
Currently rewatching the show, Kudrow revealed she has reached the season eight finale, where Rachel and Ross welcome their daughter Emma. The beloved sitcom, which aired from 1994 to 2004 and spanned 236 episodes, remains close to her heart.