LISA KUDROW — on playing evil sister Ursula before Phoebe, and her recent Friends rewatch

Summary

Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson: Episode Featuring Lisa Kudrow

Release Date: December 10, 2024

In this heartfelt and engaging episode of Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, host Jesse Tyler Ferguson sits down with the talented Lisa Kudrow, renowned for her iconic role as Phoebe Buffay on Friends, her standout performance in The Comeback, and her role as an executive producer on Who Do You Think You Are?. Recorded at the elegant Novikov in Beverly Hills, California, the conversation delves deep into Lisa’s career, personal reflections, and their shared experiences in the entertainment industry.

---

Setting the Stage: A Memorable Dinner

The episode begins with Jesse and Lisa meeting at Novikov, a quintessential Beverly Hills restaurant known for its Italian cuisine and sophisticated ambiance. The setting provides a perfect backdrop for an intimate and candid conversation.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson [05:57]: "I think she's just a threat."

Lisa Kudrow [12:43]: "Tagliatelle, creamy mushroom, and then just way too much Parmesan cheese."

The comfortable environment allows both hosts to relax and open up about their personal and professional lives.

A Journey Through Acting and Inspirations

Jesse shares his early acting experiences and how watching Friends multiple times influenced his approach to acting, particularly admiring Lisa’s portrayal of Phoebe.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson [10:13]: "You were always my favorite character. The way you twisted a joke, it was always the non-obvious way of saying something."

Lisa reflects on her own audition process for Friends and the challenges of embodying a character with such a complex backstory.

Lisa Kudrow [11:42]: "What would be funny about that is a person who just treats it all like, you know, it's not just me. Can't take it personally. It happens to everybody."

Intertwined Careers and Personal Connections

The conversation highlights the overlapping paths of their careers, including mutual connections with industry veterans like Jimmy Burrows and Michael Patrick King.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson [21:05]: "I think Matthew Perry came to one of our tapings. He was in between scenes, helping us nail a joke."

Lisa Kudrow [27:49]: "We just got thinking about what it would be, and basically all we had was, okay, so she wants to be back on reality TV."

Reflecting on Friends Reunion and Loss

Both Jesse and Lisa discuss the emotional impact of the Friends reunion, especially in light of Matthew Perry's passing. They share heartfelt memories and the significance of celebrating their shared history.

Lisa Kudrow [24:33]: "There were marathons, and I wanted to watch because it was just... remembering grieving and celebrating."

Jesse Tyler Ferguson [29:08]: "I'm so sorry about Matthew. It’s devastating when it comes out of nowhere."

Exploring Family Histories on 'Who Do You Think You Are?'

The episode transitions to their experiences with the show Who Do You Think You Are?, where Jesse recounts uncovering his great-grandfather's adventurous past in Alaska, while Lisa shares her process in exploring her own family’s history.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson [40:56]: "We got to go back and visit with my grandmother's surviving sister and share information with her."

Lisa Kudrow [42:26]: "It's not just sitting, learning about it. It's something so meaningful for the person and their family."

Navigating Personal Growth and Legacy

Both guests emphasize the importance of understanding one's heritage and the human aspects behind historical figures.

Lisa Kudrow [42:49]: "We realize no, no, they were human beings, and some of them made mistakes, but they were tough."

Jesse Tyler Ferguson [43:01]: "It's navigating our ways through the difficult times. That's Politics with Lisa Kudrow."

Concluding Reflections and Future Projects

As the conversation winds down, Jesse and Lisa touch upon upcoming projects and the enduring nature of their professional relationships.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson [44:36]: "I'm really excited for it. And I'm so happy you did this."

Lisa Kudrow [45:14]: "Me too."

They conclude with a warm exchange of gratitude, highlighting the deep respect and friendship between them.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jesse Tyler Ferguson [10:13]: "You were always my favorite character. The way you twisted a joke, it was always the non-obvious way of saying something."

• Lisa Kudrow [24:33]: "There were marathons, and I wanted to watch because it was just... remembering grieving and celebrating."

• Jesse Tyler Ferguson [29:08]: "I'm so sorry about Matthew. It’s devastating when it comes out of nowhere."

• Lisa Kudrow [42:49]: "We realize no, no, they were human beings, and some of them made mistakes, but they were tough."

• Jesse Tyler Ferguson [43:01]: "It's navigating our ways through the difficult times. That's Politics with Lisa Kudrow."

Key Insights and Takeaways

• Mutual Inspiration: Jesse’s admiration for Lisa's acting approach underscores the profound influence seasoned actors can have on emerging talents.

• Emotional Depth: Both guests highlight the emotional connections formed through long-term projects and personal losses within the industry.

• Legacy and Heritage: Exploring family histories on shows like Who Do You Think You Are? offers meaningful insights into personal identity and legacy.

• Navigating Change: The conversation reflects on adapting to new phases in life and career, emphasizing resilience and continuous growth.

Conclusion

This episode of Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson offers listeners an intimate glimpse into the lives of two celebrated actors. Through shared stories, mutual respect, and heartfelt reflections, Jesse and Lisa create a rich narrative that resonates with both fans and those interested in the deeper aspects of personal and professional journeys in the entertainment world.

---

Subscribe to Dinner’s on Me PLUS to access new episodes one week early and listen completely ad-free. Visit the Dinner’s on Me show page on Apple Podcasts to start your free trial today.

Transcript

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

The other day I was making lemonade with my sons, Beckett and Sully, and Beckett is a little bit of a perfectionist. I'm not sure where he gets that from. It's me. It's definitely me. But he was getting really upset about the seeds falling into the juice and it was turning into a bit of high drama. Now listen, there's an easier way to do this. Who knew? Wonderful seedless lemons are a 100% naturally seedless lemon variety. They're juicy, zesty, bright, and everything you love about lemons minus the. See, that's right. No more seeds floating in your lemonade or Diet Coke or getting caught in your teeth when you take a bite of salad. Frankly, that's just a hazard. Wonderful seedless lemons are available nationwide at retailers such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Walmart, Kroger, as well as select Costco outlets. Look for wonderful seedless lemons at your local retailer or visit wonderfulseedlesslemons.com to learn more. Hey, it's Jesse. So I've got a bit of a crazy life. I have two kids under five, two dogs, a husband, a busy career. And I also just added another thing to my to do list. Hosting on Airbnb. Now, to be honest, I haven't yet pulled the trigger because I'm getting a little overwhelmed with everything I would need to do to be on top of everything. As a host, I'd want to put gorgeous photos up to show off the amazing space. I would want to make sure that I'm as responsive as possible to guests and anticipate any questions or needs they might have. You know, you gotta get those good reviews. Plus, I gotta make sure that the house is in tip top shape, linens are clean, everything is pristine for when they arrive. See, I'm. I'm already tired just thinking about it. It's like a part time job. That's why I'm so excited about Airbnb's new co host feature. Now I can hire a local co host to handle all the details while I'm away. They can create my listing, manage reservations, communicate with guests, and even style my space. So it's perfect for every guest. It's like having a trusted friend who's really good at this stuff. Just take care of everything. I can focus on my family and my work, knowing that my home and my guests are in great hands. Find a co [e-mail] host hi, it's Jesse today on the show. You know her from Friends, the Comeback and her upcoming Netflix series. No good deed. It's Lisa Kudrow.

[Lisa Kudrow]

There are a lot of auditions for that. And the thrill for me was one of the actors walked in and went, oh, and you're here. Great, perfect. And I went, oh, my God.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

This is Dinner's on Me. And I'm your host, Jesse Tyler Ferguson. In 2006, I was cast in my first sitcom, a one season show called the Class. Now, I love to prepare as much as I possibly can for roles and I didn't really know what to do to prepare for a job I had never done before. I mean, this was my first TV job. So to feel like I was doing something, I bought the first season of the sitcom Friends on dvd. As a fan of the show, I, of course, had seen every episode multiple times. But I wanted to rewatch those actors again in the first season of what would be the job that would change all of their lives. I mean, those six actors, those brilliant actors, all of them are just icons to me. But Lisa Kudrow, with her offbeat choices and quirky character traits was just really up my alley. Her comedy just resonated with me. When she was on camera, I leaned just a tad closer to try and figure out how she was doing what she was doing. I loved her so much as Phoebe on Friends, but then her performance as Valerie Cherish in the inspired Hollywood reality series satire the Comeback, Lisa somehow topped herself. It's not an overstatement to say that she is one of my all time comedy icons now. I've had the great pleasure of getting to work with her a little bit, once as a guest star on the very funny web series Web Therapy. Also, she's the producer of the show who do youo Think youk Are? Which I was lucky enough to be a part of. But I hadn't ever really had a chance to sit down and spend some quality time with her. I think my instincts were that she's not the type of person who likes to be fawned over excessively. And I think my instincts are correct. So I was both excited and a tad nervous about having a meal with someone whose work I respected so greatly.

[Waiter]

Hi.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

So good to see you. Thanks for doing this.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Good. Thanks for coming.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You have to wiggle in over there. I took Lisa Kudrow to Novikov in Beverly Hills. It's kind of quintessential Beverly Hills in my mind. Situated in the heart of its golden triangle. It's extremely elegant. It's the type of sexy vibe I would expect my pal Sofia Vergara would be into. And as luck would have it, the staff let me know that, yes, she is indeed a patron. I think they actually said that she might have even had one of her birthdays there. It's worldly, with multilingual staff from all over. In fact, bear with us as we pretend we know Italian later. In fact, you're practically transported to Italy. There's mature olive trees inside the restaurant, and each table is decorated with fresh flowers and herbs as you enjoy menu items synonymous with Italian cuisine, like beef capaccio Parma, ham and melon, or risotto with asparagus and black truffle. And given we did this on election night, being transported, even if for a couple of hours, was truly a gift. And turned out Lisa, such a wise and grounded soul, could not have been a better dining partner to have that night with. Okay, let's get to the conversation.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I love that we're doing this tonight.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Because we have to say that the election's going on.

[Lisa Kudrow]

What'd you say?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

The election.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Wait, what's happening?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

What's happening? Yeah, My nerves are a little rattled, but this is, like, the best distraction.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Really?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, yeah. I'm happy to be doing this and keeping my mind off of things.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Thank you, too.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, here he is. I was gonna say our waiter's very handsome, but then he was standing right behind me. Hi.

[Waiter]

Welcome to Novigo.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Thank you.

[Waiter]

Giovanni gonna take care of you tonight.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Okay, thanks.

[Waiter]

Sure. Any water for the table? You like still, sparkling water?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I'm gonna take some sparkling, sparkling water.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Still water? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Waiter]

Any. If you have any suggestion, your recommendation, Just let me know if you want to know, okay?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Okay, thanks.

[Waiter]

I'm gonna take care of the water.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Okay?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Okay. Thank you so much.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I mean, I'm gonna take care of the water.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I'm gonna take.

[Lisa Kudrow]

That's all too much.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Isn't he ridiculously handsome?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh, yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, yeah. Wait till you maybe. And then the shop.

[Lisa Kudrow]

We're in la, right.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I know, but that doesn't always track. That doesn't always track, but we know.

[Lisa Kudrow]

It'S not the gorgeous ones.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

The talent.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Sometimes.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's right. That's what we hold on to. Thank you.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I'm just. I'm sorry. Are you an actor by any chance?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

No, no, not at all. Oh.

[Waiter]

Mother kind of model. But I want to do acting one day.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah. Oh, okay.

[Waiter]

I moved, like, a few months ago, so I want to do this.

[Lisa Kudrow]

You moved here from where?

[Waiter]

From Italy.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yes, but what part?

[Waiter]

From Saudi. From Puglia.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Julia.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh, wow. Okay.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

How long have you been here seven months. Okay.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Brand new. Yeah. Oh, gosh. But your English is really good.

[Waiter]

Learning day by day.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Waiter]

Thank you so much. I'm gonna bring some bread for the table.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Okay?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Okay.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Lisa, because he was there.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Rein it in.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I was talking. Wait, that was flirting.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, yeah. Your English is very good.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Well, he just moved here.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, I know.

[Lisa Kudrow]

We learned languages in school. That doesn't mean we know how to speak them.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

No, I took French for four years in high school. Can't speak any of it.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Me, too.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Did you?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yes.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Do you speak. You were married to a Frenchman, right?

[Lisa Kudrow]

I am still married to a Frenchman. No, no. I think the smart thing. The smartest thing I did was not improve on my French.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Okay. Okay.

[Lisa Kudrow]

So the in laws, you know, I don't have to hear anything that they're. They can talk about me and I don't have to hear it. I don't have to get tone and edge.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I mean, do you. Have I ever been brave enough to tell you, like, what an incredible inspiration you are to me?

[Lisa Kudrow]

What?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I haven't been. I thought I did when I thought when we were working on web therapy.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I hope you haven't, otherwise I forgot. You did, and that might be really bad.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I mean, you have been. You have admitted to forgetting things. Like you don't even remember that you've been on certain TV shows.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I've heard I have some memory of it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Vague, really vague. Why? Why?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I mean, I was late to doing sitcoms. The first one I got was the Class, which is the sitcom that Jimmy Burrows, who put together Friends with David Crane.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And Jeffrey.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And Jeffrey. So Jeffrey Cleric, you worked with on Mad about yout. David Crane was one of the creators of Friends. Jim Burrows was obviously the early director of Friends. And. But so I was with all those people kind of right after Friends was kind of wrapping up. It was really kind of the first season of the Comeback. And I, like many people, was a massive fan of Friends. And it was one of those shows that, like, I moved to New York in 94. That's when friends started. You were living that story.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, my apartment was just so much smaller enough.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

That. It was perfect.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's right.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh, neat.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And so I just had such a connection to that show. And I really am not saying this to blow smoke up your ass, but you were always my favorite character.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And I was like, there was just something about the way you twisted a joke, and it was always the non obvious way of saying something. I just was so drawn to your creativity. And when I was doing the class, even in early auditions, if I was ever stuck, I would say, well, how would Lisa Kudrow say this? And I would emulate, like, a version of, like, what I would imagine how you would play this line. And it always worked out for me.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh, wow.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And. But also, like, what I was so struck by is that on paper, Phoebe was very tragic. I mean, her father had left her at an early age. Her mom committed suicide. Right. This is one of a sitcom at age 14.

[Lisa Kudrow]

That was the audition monologue. I mean, and then she lived in a car with a guy who overdosed or something, I think. So.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I think you're right. And she had this twin sister who had stolen her identity and was doing poison under her sister's name. Yeah, yeah. But, you know, she was, to me, also the funniest character. I just was so tickled by her take on life and her positivity and her optimism with this incredibly tragic backstory.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yes, I know. I love. I know. I love that.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

So you were saying that was all in the character before you came to.

[Lisa Kudrow]

That monologue, the audition piece.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Wow.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And so to me, what was funny, what would be funny about that is a person who just treats it all like, you know, it's not just me. Can't take it personally. It happens to everybody.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Lisa Kudrow]

There are a lot of auditions for that, and two things about that. One of them, there were people at the studio audition that I knew from tv. They were known actors. And I went, oh, excuse me.

[Waiter]

You may get anything to drink tonight. Would like to start some wine or cocktail?

[Lisa Kudrow]

No, I don't drink.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I don't either.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Only by myself.

[Waiter]

Just by yourself?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Not in public.

[Waiter]

Do you have any question about our menu?

[Lisa Kudrow]

I kind of know what I want.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I kind of do, too.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Tagliatelle, creamy mushroom, and then just way too much Parmesan cheese. Yeah, I know, but can I maybe.

[Waiter]

Start with some salad?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, I'm gonna need a salad for sure.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Mama needs her greens.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I know. I didn't look, though.

[Waiter]

Do you want maybe a Greek salad? It's really popular here.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Okay. That sounds great.

[Waiter]

It's really good.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Great. So that is perfect.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Well, now you're handled. You're settled.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I'm handled.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Could I do the Caesar salad, please?

[Waiter]

Caesar salad? Yes.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And I'm gonna have the scallops.

[Waiter]

The white scallop?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes. Is that good? Oh, all right, then. Chef's kiss.

[Lisa Kudrow]

What do you mean? Can I see scallops?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It's in the box with chef specials.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Okay. No, I'm happy with what I'm getting.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Lisa Kudrow]

God, it better be good.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

He's flirting with me.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I saw that.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. Okay, so you were talking about the audition process. So you went the studio.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Right. All these known actresses.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And I thought, oh, oh, she'd be great as Phoebe. Oh, she'd be good, too. She can do anything. Oh, I know who she is. She's great. And I had just done a couple of, like, recurring role moments on Mad about yout. And the thrill for me was one of the actors walked in and went, oh, and you're here. Great. Perfect.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And I went, you were a threat.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh, my God. Yeah. And then seeing all these actors and all of them had more experience than me coming out of the audition. Cause it was in this theater at Warner Brothers.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. I think we probably auditioned to maybe the same space.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah. And they're. I hadn't gone in yet, and they're coming out, and one by one, they're just like, that was fucked. I mean, how are you. And they're like, why? What? It's like, on a stage. Okay. And then it's like, there's, like, 20 people in there in this, like, a theater. Like, how the Are you supposed to be able to do this? How do you do it? And I thought, won't there be, like, 200 people in the audience when we shoot the show? Yeah, I'm there to do the character. And then they have to decide, right?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I mean, that was my training, and it was so perfect for auditioning.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Now I know that. Okay. This is what I've always been fascinated. It's a little bit of, like, the chicken or the egg situation. So you played on Mad about yout.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Ursula.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Right.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Who ends up. Who is Phoebe's sister and friends.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yes.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Now, okay, so Ursula. I'm very confused on, like, the genesis of Phoebe. Obviously, Ursula came before Phoebe was ever created.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Right.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

When did those two worlds connect? When did they decide that these two people are sisters? And then have Ursula actually come in to Friends? And then there was. There was a whole episode where you had scenes with yourself.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Tell me how that all broke down.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Okay, so after the show got picked up.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Friends.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Friends, yes. Yeah. That show.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That show.

[Lisa Kudrow]

After it got picked up, it was decided we would be on Thursday nights. Mad about yout was on at 8. We'd be on at 8:30.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Okay.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And I was still being asked to appear on Mad about yout. And I think for both shows, it was. How do you want to explain the same face Voice actor is on at 8 sometimes and then on at 8:30 right after it. So it was decided that it's so good. Phoebe's twin sister and they both are in New York. And I don't know if it was around the same time because I don't know if Ursula was in the first season of Friends or not. I don't remember.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I don't think so.

[Lisa Kudrow]

So you just had Phoebe reference that she had a sister who, you know, she's really ambitious. She's like a high powered. All she cares about is work. It's like, oh, what does she do? She's a waitress at a coffee shop, you know. And Helen Hunt came. They had crossover things, you know. But Phoebe never appeared on Mad about you.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right. So, I mean, it's safe to say that Ursula was kind of the genesis of Phoebe, I guess, in a way.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Well, in that Jeffrey told David, you have, you know, who you should see for Phoebe is the girl playing Ursula. And he said, yeah, she is funny. I just lost track of whatever we were talking.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

No, I feel like all that, all those overlaps are so fascinating. I feel like so many things happen this, this way. I mean, like I, I feel like my life has overlapped with yours in very interesting ways.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And, and just said, oh, wait, no, I never said something. Oh, yeah, I get a chance to say it. Okay. Because I knew David and Jeffrey. Cause I used to see them all the time, right. And I knew they were really proud of this show. And they kept talking about, Jesse is amazing. Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Wait till you see him. He's just, I mean, he's gifted. He's just got it, you know. And so when I watched it, I went, yep, he's great. Cause you grounded everything. And that's why it was so good and funny. Because it was all like, it's really happening for him. Like, whatever this is. Like, it's not just like reciting jokes or anything. It's all real. He's making it real. Are you tearing up a little bit.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Just because, like what I just said to you?

[Lisa Kudrow]

No, no, no, no.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

But just because like how I, I just told you that like so much of like what you did was, I don't know, it was like, it was like a kind of like a blueprint on how to do this. Thank you.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Thank you.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Thank you so much. Thank you.

[Lisa Kudrow]

But that's also what I mean.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

He didn't look at me that time. But I was gonna say, but, but just to finish my thought, like I, I, you, It was such. You were Such a blueprint on how to, like, do this. The fact that you even thought that means so much to me. My God.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Gosh. Thanks. Thanks.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Now for a quick break, but don't go away. When we come back, Lisa tells me about the poignant moment that caused her to rewatch Friends and how special that last reunion was to her. Okay, be right back. So recently I've gotten back into somewhat of a consistent workout routine. But one thing I did realize, and I'm embarrassed to say this, is that some of my athleisure wear was looking a little worse for wear. I ended up doing a little refresh with some items from Quince. I got a few of the flow knit Breeze performance tees and polo shirts. They're super comfy and lightweight. They look really great. And fun fact, the fabric is made from recycled water bottles. All right, but we gotta talk about the price. These shirts feel just as nice as the name brand shirts I have that were quadruple the price. Okay, how is this possible? Let me tell you. Quint's partners directly with factories, cutting out the cost of the middleman and passing the savings directly on to you. And I appreciate that they only work with factories that have safe, ethical and responsible manufacturing practices. Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com JTF for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. That's Q-U-I-N C-E.com JTF to get free shipping and 365 day returns. That's a year, people. Quince.com JTF this episode is brought to.

[Gemini]

You by Google Gemini. With the Gemini app, you can talk live and have a real time conversation with an AI assistant. It's great for all kinds of things, like if you want to practice for an upcoming interview, ask for advice on things to do in a new city, or brainstorm creative ideas. And by the way, this script was actually read by Gemini. Download the Gemini app for iOS and Android today. Must be 18 to use Gemini live.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And we're back with more dinners on me. I remember we were shooting the class on the same stage that you shot Friends on on Warner Brothers. And so David was very comfortable there. Jimmy Burrows was very comfortable there.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Well, Jimmy shot on every stage.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's true. And Matthew Perry was next door shooting the behind the scene drama at Studio 60. And he was dating a cast member of mine on the class. But Matthew was the first one of you I met and became friends with. And I think Matthew Perry came to one of Our tapings. One night he, like, popped over when we were taping, he was in between scenes, and there was scenes that weren't going well. You know, the writers do that thing where if, like, a joke doesn't land, they all huddle and come up with a new blow for the joke, and they come over and spit it out to you, and you have to, like, memorize it really quickly. And if you start to go off on the wrong. On the wrong words or with the wrong punchline, Jimmy Burrow stops you so you don't ruin the joke. And it's a lot. It's a high stress situation. I think it was a joke for me, actually. And I was having a really hard time nailing it. And Matthew came up to me and said, you know, we would have this joke. We were shooting Friends. When things didn't work out, we'd always say, oh, you can hear the traffic on Barnum.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh, Barham.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Traffic on Barham. That's right.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Barnum area.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Because that's the street that's outside the studio. Yeah. But I just. I felt it was a very special time just because I was overlapping with these people who were such titans to me. You were saying that you just started watching Friends again.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

How's that been? I mean, why? I completely understand not being able to watch yourself. I hate watching myself on tv. I would watch myself in Modern Family just to sort of learn. But if it's on now, I have to turn it off.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Right. I mean, part of me was like, if it was on. If it was on.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I mean, it's on.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It's always on.

[Lisa Kudrow]

It's on. And especially on weekends, there are marathons for stuff. Thanksgiving. And there was something like, if, God forbid, anybody, like, walked into my house and saw me watching my show.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

That I'd be mortified.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

But after Matthew passed away, there were marathons, and I wanted to watch because it was just. It. It felt like part of the. For me, anyway, like remembering grieving, remembering all that and just enjoying and celebrating, you know? And, boy, I appreciated everybody on it. Like, man, Schwin was hilarious. Matt LeBlanc is making me laugh out loud. Jennifer, come on. She's so good. Look what she just did. She's so good. And Courtney, it's like, oh, my God, you're hilarious. How did you never get nominated for an Emmy? Never.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

You know, and Matthew, of course, at the time, he was blowing me away. You know, there's episodes I've never seen.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's mind blowing.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I Was at the table read.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I don't know what the rewrites were for the other stories.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right. Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

You know. Cause then everyone's busy and doing things. I had a kid. I was married. You know, I was the first one. And then I was doing movies, so sometimes I was doing that and then come back to do pickups for the scenes I was in. And. Yeah. I mean, there are episodes I just never saw and still haven't because I'm still deciding how to work my way through it. It's like there's a certain amount of anxiety around watching it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. I'm sure a huge part of it is also because it is so loved.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I'm afraid of what my takeaway is going to be. I mean, I actually. When Phoebe got married and she's walking down the aisle and has this huge smile on her face, I teared up because she was so happy. Yeah, she was so. Just, like, honestly happy. And it. It was just. I don't know, it was really touching to me. Like, she deserves to be this happy.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I mean, you have to love your characters, too, so you obviously feel for them. Absolutely.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I mean, you must have been so. And I thought about this. After Matthew passed, I was like, you must have just been so happy that you did get to have some sort of a reunion together and all be in the same space and, you know, watch scenes from the show. I mean, that HBO reunion special was so great.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And, you know, and I know it's happening to me now. People. People are asking, like, when are you guys gonna. A reunion? When are you gonna do a reunion? When are you gonna do a reboot? And granted, you did this. That reunion special on HBO was many years after Friends had ended and you had all gone on to do so many other things. But what was that. What was that like for you?

[Lisa Kudrow]

The reunion?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh, it was. It was so good. I mean.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Did you all go in, like, wanting to be there, or was it.

[Lisa Kudrow]

We'd only had dinner, the six of us, once before, since the show had ended.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Since the show had ended. How soon after the show ended was it?

[Lisa Kudrow]

No, no, it hit. It was 10 years.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, wow.

[Lisa Kudrow]

You know, so if it's like 20 years or 25 since it had started, that was the 25th reunion.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And what was that dinner like, the first time you.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Fantastic. It was like. We didn't.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That wasn't being filmed. That wasn't for.

[Lisa Kudrow]

No, no, it was just.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Just you.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, just us at someone's house and had dinner and, like, didn't miss a beat.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Incredible.

[Lisa Kudrow]

It was so great that it was.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Loved ones there or was it just the six of you?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Just the six of us.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God. Incredible.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, it was fantastic. Yeah. And private and great.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

But on the set, they recreated the set. That's what was, I think, emotional and. Pretty emotional for some. Some of us. Yeah. And. Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Just incredible. I, Julie Bowen, Eric Stonestreet and Ty Burrell and I did an ad for WhatsApp and as our characters and we. That they recreated one of the living rooms for us. And, you know, our show ended not that long ago. It was like four years ago or something. I can only imagine what it would have been like 25 years later. Oh, absolutely insane.

[Lisa Kudrow]

It was so great. And I think it was. I don't remember anyway, but I mean. Yeah, I mean, I'd been like, on Ellen and, you know, she shot at Warner Brothers one time. I did it, and they had the coffee house set up.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, wow.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And so we went over there and that shook me up.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's wild.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, that shook me up. And that was before, you know, the reunion or anything, but to have all of us together on the set.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Incredible, right?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Because it's. You never know when it will be impossible.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, that's what. That's what I thought about when. Yeah, when, you know, and I'm so sorry about Matthew. I know. I mean, I just lost a good friend of mine suddenly a few weeks ago, and it's just. It's, you know, it's devastating when it comes out of nowhere and it's someone that you have such history with. I'm just. I'm so sorry.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, it was. It shook us up, I have to say. I mean, he said it. It won't be a surprise, but it will be a shock. And that was exactly right. He was so smart. I already know he's so smart. That is true.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

It wasn't a surprise, but it was a shock. Yeah. It was a big jolt. But I don't know, I think, personally, I think he died happy. I think in the days around his passing, I think he was happy and excited about, you know, what's happening next.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It's such a legacy he left behind and, you know, it's been mars beautiful and it's just. I don't know. I'm very glad that he was someone I got to meet.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh, yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And know a little bit.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah. So funny.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. Truly so funny. Now for a quick break, but don't go away. When we come back, Lisa tells me how reality TV inspired the comeback, working with Sex and the City creator Michael Patrick King and the time we dug into my family history on who do youo Think youk Are? A show she's an executive producer on. Okay, be right back.

[Dutch Bros]

This episode is brought to you by Dutch Bros. Get stoked for all the holly jolly vibes this season at Dutch Bros. Stay cozy with returning winter faves Hazelnut Truffle Mocha and Candy Cane Mocha. Plus the new Winter Shimmer Rebel energy drink blends up sweet sweet cream and blue razz flavor with soft top and Shimmer sprinks to keep those spirits energized all winter long. Download the Dutch Bros app to find your nearest shop, order ahead and start earning Rewards.

[Lisa Kudrow]

The number one selling product of its kind with over 20 years of research and innovation. Botox Cosmetic Adobotulinum Toxinae is a prescription medicine used to temporarily make moderate to severe frown lines, crow's feet and forehead lines look better in adults.

[Botox Cosmetic]

Effects of Botox Cosmetic may spread hours to weeks after injection, causing serious symptoms. Alert your doctor right away as difficulty swallowing, speaking, breathing, eye problems or muscle weakness may be a sign of a life threatening condition. Patients with these conditions before injection are at highest risk. Don't receive Botox Cosmetic if you have a skin infection. Side effects may include allergic reactions, injection site pain, headache, eyebrow and eyelid drooping and eyelid swelling. Allergic reactions can include rash, welts, asthma symptoms and dizziness. Tell your doctor about medical history, muscle or nerve conditions including ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, Myasthenia gravis or Lambert Eaton Syndrome, and medications including botulinum toxins as these may increase the risk of serious side effects. For full safety information, visit botoxcosmetic.com or call 877-351-0300.

[Lisa Kudrow]

See for yourself at botoxcosmetic.com.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And we're back with more dinners on me. I mean, I find it so interesting and I heard that you were given advice to maybe not do this, but like we jumped into the Comeback pretty soon after Friends ended. And I mean I know from just having been on something for a long period of time how hard it is to crawl out from underneath these characters. Was the success of Friends sort of a jumping off point for Valerie Cherish?

[Lisa Kudrow]

No, I thought it was fun. No, before we were done with Friends, I was watching the Office. Yeah, the uk. Yeah, the Office. And I was watching Amazing Race. Survivor had already been on.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And I just went, oh, this is the end of civilization. I mean decorum. There's no. And also now, then these people will be known for this.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I don't know that it's survivable. And I just thought, how fantastic would it be to have. If it's an actress and the audience won't have to feel sorry for her because she's signing up for it. I don't know. I just thought that would be so great. And then Friends ended, and Michael and I had. Were at the same agency. Michael Patrick King, who had just finished Sex and the City.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And our agents had us meet, and I thought, I know Michael. We were friends. I'd known him for a long time, and he just finished a show. Why would he want to do a show with me? That doesn't make sense. And he thought, she just finished a show. She's not going to want to do anything.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes, please. This is the Wild Scallop. Thank you. Oh, I think that's over here. Thank you.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Anyway, I have been playing around with an idea. So it's basically. Basically, I had, like, a cup of raw sugar and told it to Michael, and he saw it and sculpted it into, like, a gorgeous sugar art. He got it. We were there for, like, three and a half, four hours. And by the end of that meal, he said, we've got a pitch and a series. I said, we do. And he said, yeah, we're gonna meet again.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. Do you want the whole bowl? Do you just want to eat the bowl?

[Lisa Kudrow]

No one ever does that. Thank you very much. Oh, thank you. He left the bowl just for you. And he said, enjoy, Bella.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Enjoy, Bella. You're in.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And I understand that.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, I do. Yeah. That's one thing you do understand.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I took Italian in college. Studio Italian. Peruna. Oh, hello.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Flirting in Italian 101.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Ciao, bello.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

But, I mean, what you did with the Comeback, it's, like, right up my alley where you created this sort of tragic person and you. I mean, the structure of that show is so brilliant where she'd have these moments where she'd be doing herself confessionals in her space and think that she turned off the camera. And then you did watch her, like, actually crumble, and you'd see how she was feeling inside. And it was so heartbreaking. And such a brilliant opportunity to see how much you can do as an actress. Yeah. Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I'm lucky I got to do it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. I think I read that someone told you that it's too soon after friends to jump into another character and actually encourage you not to do it.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Someone. Someone who was in this business said, listen, the show, the idea. Great. Write it. You want to write it? You want to prove it? That's great. Shouldn't have been in it. Oh, that blew my mind.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, really?

[Lisa Kudrow]

And I just went. Because it had gotten canceled.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And it was kind of the most insane thing I'd ever heard. Like, but you shouldn't have been in it. It's like. Well, I mean, the drive for me was not. I can't wait to write it and produce it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right. Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

No, no. I created the character not just for writing. I mean.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I inhabited the character or the character inhabited me. So, yeah. What, like, you shouldn't have been Valerie Cherish. All right. Should I not have been Phoebe? Should I not have been Michelle?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Michelle.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

How did you process that show being let go of?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh, immediate acceptance.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Interesting.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I do that. Immediate acceptance.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Truthfully? You actually accept?

[Lisa Kudrow]

I actually do that. I just say, okay, well, okay. I said, well, that's a mistake. Okay, that's too bad. Shoot. I would have loved to do more. I don't know how to feel. And I would tell Michael, like, I don't know how to feel anything but proud of what we did, and they made a mistake, so we didn't do anything wrong.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It is a show that then came back. There was another season. How many years later? I mean, it was quite some time. Yeah. Nine. Which I. You know, there was such a fever picture. And how exciting that was. I mean, I was thrilled it was coming back. When. How did that all come together?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Michael and I would talk over those nine years every time we had a meal. What would Valerie be doing now? You know, we would be talking about it, and it just sounded like there was an opening. And Dan said, I mean, would you want more of the comeback? It was sort of like, would you see us again? Because we would go out with you. You know, we didn't have a bad time.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I mean, I'd like. I would try another date, you know? So, yeah, that's it. And then we just got thinking about what it would be, and basically all we had was, okay, so she wants to be back on reality tv. We're in the lobby and Michael says, you know, I was just thinking, what if Paulie G. Has a show on HBO and he won't let her audition? And I said, that's so great.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

What if she auditions and gets it?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And he went together.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

That was on our way up to meet with them and say, here's our idea.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I mean, that's exactly why I love Michael. Patrick King, he has these ideas that come out unbelievable. That's right. That's right.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Unbelievable show. Yes.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, absolutely. I also have never gotten to properly thank you for. I don't know if it was your idea or Dan Bukatinsky's, but having me on who do youo Think youk Are?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Which is the show that you executive? Did you produce or executive produce or.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, we. We brought Touch. We. Yeah, we brought that show from the BBC.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's right.

[Lisa Kudrow]

The US. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I saw it when I was in Ireland and went, well, we're smart enough to have this.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, it's incredible.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Wasn't it?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And I have the best time doing it. I was so nervous.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yes. Everyone's nervous.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. I mean, you go deep into your family history.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I mean, with my episode.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Wait, remind me.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Mine was my great grandfather, my grandmother, who I was very close with. Her father had a very sordid past, was accused of murder a few times, was accused of. He was acquitted of. Oh, I'm trying to remember all the details.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Wait, this. You knew or this is what you learned?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

No, this is all I learned. This is all the stuff that you unearthed?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, me personally.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, you personally. He had taken an expedition to Alaska for the gold rush.

[Lisa Kudrow]

The Yukon.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's right. Yeah. And I went up to Alaska and followed his footsteps there. Bezel Mint was part of his story. And then there was this whole second life after he met my great grandmother, where he sort of turned his life around.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

He had this whole other life before becoming part of, like, my family history.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yes.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And my dad was a part of this journey with me, and it's something that we got to share together. And he didn't know about so many of these things as well.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh, he was with you the whole time for.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Not the whole time, but for the early stuff.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

But I was so grateful for that week of just getting to explore my past. It was so meaningful. So meaningful for my dad. We were able to go back and visit with my grandmother's surviving sister and share information with her that we'd learned and showed her writings from her father and that we got to hold on to. And it was really, really impactful.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And I can only imagine it must have felt so good to have been a part of a show that was that for so many people.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yes. I miss producing that show.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Because that show, to me, was so educational. It's these details of history that are so significant because it's the details that impacted people's lives. And trajectories. And then it's something so meaningful for the person and their family who gets to do it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And it's not just sitting, learning about it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

No. It's not. Swapping her mouth, sending in. Yeah, absolutely. That was. I mean, being in Alaska, seeing the places where he struggled so much, just trying to make ends meet, what he went through, really powerful. It's a really incredible experience. Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I just think that we place people in history in this almost not quite human category or they were so smart, they were so good. They were so, you know, strong. I don't know what. But then you. You realize. No, no, they were human beings, and some of them made mistakes, but, boy, they were tough.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

There was no choice of what they had to endure and overcome. I. I don't know. It's in all of us. I mean, that is our legacy.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I mean, it's sort of interesting because we are sitting on this night where there's a huge election happening, and, you know, we're all in this very tenuous, tense place. At least I am.

[Lisa Kudrow]

You know, everyone was tense. And until we started talking about, who do you think you are? I was tense. And I've calmed down.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

No, calm down now. I've re amped.

[Lisa Kudrow]

No, you haven't. Because it's reminded me.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

If you look back.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

This isn't the first time.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, that's what I was gonna say.

[Lisa Kudrow]

This isn't the first time. Everyone thought this is the most important thing that's ever happened.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's exactly what I was gonna say.

[Lisa Kudrow]

To me, that's hopeful. It's just breathe through the heart.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's exactly right. Breathe through it knowing that it's all a process, it's all a journey, and it's navigating our ways through the difficult times.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Right.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah. And that's Politics with Lisa Kudrow. Thanks for tuning in.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I know. God. How dare I? How dare I?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

When this comes out? I think this comes out mid December, so it's a few days before.

[Lisa Kudrow]

So we might know who won.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

We might know who won. This is going to come out a few days before. No good deed.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh, yeah, no good deed.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

But I got to see a trailer for it. It looks fantastic. Have you seen much of it?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Here's what I know. I watched it immediately. Forgot the first episode, forgot I was in it. Got so engrossed in the story by the end of it, I couldn't wait to see the next episode.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Wow.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And just so you know, for anyone who's in something that doesn't happen that much.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

No.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Right.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

No, for sure.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I mean, so I'm married to Ray Romano in this.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yep.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Linda Cardellini is in it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Who is in Dead to Me, which. Which is a show that she just finished up. Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

That's why. Also, all I heard was, so it's Netflix. Liz Feldman. I went, yes, I'll do it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, yeah, she's amazing.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And I said, well, and you'll be married to Ray Romano. That's like a dream come true. No. Dream come true. And Linda Cardellini's in it so far. That was it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And I said, why do I need to read the script? I mean, don't I just say yes? It's like, yeah, you should read the script.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

But, yeah, I'm really excited for it. And I'm so happy you did this.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Me too.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. And I'm paying.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I know.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Dinner's on me. Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I figured after all was said and done, I mean, just as a gesture, I'm gonna get my credit card in.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, no, no, no, no, no. This episode of Dinner's on Me was recorded at Novikoff in Beverly Hills, California, next week on Dinners on Me. You know her from films like Stepbrothers and Bad Moms and now the Disney series Agatha. All along, it's Kathryn Hahn. We talk about taking big swings on screen, voice memos from Patti LuPone and the work that goes into a long, healthy marriage. And if you don't want to wait until next week to listen, you can download that episode right now by subscribing to Dinners On Me. As a subscriber, not only do you get access to new episodes one week early, you'll also be able to listen completely ad free. Just click Try free at the top of the Dinners On Me show page on Apple Podcasts. To start your free trial today, Dinners on Me is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and a kid named Beckett Productions. It's hosted by me, Jesse Tyler Ferguson. It's executive produced by me and Jonathan Hirsch. Our showrunner is Joanna Clay. Our associate producer is Angela Vanguard. Sam Baer engineered this episode. Hans Dale. She composed our theme music. Our head of production is Sammy Allison. Special thanks to Tamika Balance Kolasny and Justin Makita. I'm Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Join me next week.