Lisa Kudrow may have spent years playing one of television’s most memorable musicians, but there is one Friends fan request she has no interest in fulfilling.
More than two decades after the sitcom ended, Kudrow said people still stop her and ask her to perform “Smelly Cat.” Despite the song’s connection to Phoebe Buffay, she has ruled out spontaneous renditions.
Lisa Kudrow admitted she flat-out refuses to perform Phoebe Buffay’s signature song in public
Kudrow discussed the recurring Lisa Kudrow fan request during a recent appearance on NPR’s Fresh Air.
“Sometimes people will stop me and say, ‘Oh, sing Smelly Cat,’” she said. “I don’t want to do that. I really don’t want to do that.”
The Smelly Cat song became one of Phoebe’s recurring musical moments after the character performed it during Season 2. Kudrow co-wrote the track with Friends executive producer Adam Chase and Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde.
While Kudrow has no plans to perform “Smelly Cat” for people who approach her, her feelings toward the sitcom itself remain positive.
“My first response is always, I have zero complaints about Friends or anything to do with it,” she said.
Kudrow particularly remembered the connection among Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and the late Matthew Perry. She said maintaining those relationships required effort during the cast’s long workdays.
“It was a really good relationship that took some work, and we did the work,” Kudrow explained.
She recalled that the cast often spent breaks together, including playing poker while waiting for rehearsals.
Kudrow also developed a different relationship with the series after Perry died in October 2023. She previously said she had not regularly watched Friends during its original run, but reruns became comforting after his death.
“After Matthew passed away, there were marathons, and that was really comforting, watching the show,” she said in March on Capital FM.
Kudrow now appreciates how the sitcom continues to give viewers an escape through humor and friendships. Still, enjoying the show does not mean she is ready to become Phoebe on demand.
For fans hoping to hear “Smelly Cat” in person, Kudrow’s answer remains clear.
