Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist: Lisa Kudrow on New Netflix Series, "No Good Deed"
Host: Willie Geist
Guest: Lisa Kudrow
Release Date: January 5, 2025
Podcast: Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist
Description: In this episode, Willie Geist engages in an in-depth conversation with Lisa Kudrow, exploring her illustrious career, her experiences on the iconic sitcom Friends, and her latest project, the Netflix series No Good Deed.
1. Introduction
Willie Geist welcomes Lisa Kudrow, known for her role as Phoebe Buffay on Friends, highlighting her critical acclaim and contributions to American television. He sets the stage for a comprehensive discussion about her past successes and current endeavors.
Quote:
“She played Phoebe Buffay, one of six friends on one of the biggest shows in the history of television that ran for 10 seasons on NBC.” – Willie Geist [01:24]
2. Lisa Kudrow’s Career Before Friends
The conversation delves into Kudrow's journey prior to her breakout role on Friends. Willie touches upon her auditions and the challenges she faced entering the television industry.
Quote:
“Yes, I was interested to read, though. You guys didn't really know each other. I mean, there's no reason, I guess you wouldn't.” – Lisa Kudrow [07:43]
3. Success and Experience on Friends
Willie and Lisa discuss the phenomenal success of Friends, noting that Lisa and Jennifer Aniston were the only two cast members to win individual Emmys during the show's run. They explore the dynamics among the cast and how they navigated sudden fame together.
Quote:
“We kept saying people experience this on their own. Like they're in a movie and they don't have. That's got to be hard. We've got each other, like, to. All right, let's check in.” – Lisa Kudrow [25:38]
4. Personal Life and Managing Fame
Lisa shares insights into maintaining a grounded personal life amidst the whirlwind of fame. She discusses her marriage during the show's early seasons and how her family kept her centered.
Quote:
“I had my boyfriend, Michelle already, and we got engaged into the first season, you know, at some point. And we got married right after we wrapped.” – Lisa Kudrow [38:24]
5. New Netflix Series: "No Good Deed"
The spotlight shifts to Lisa’s latest project, No Good Deed, a Netflix series where she co-stars with Ray Romano. They discuss the show's premise, blending mystery with humor, and Lisa’s excitement about collaborating with other esteemed actors.
Quote:
“This show is a mystery for all these different people. People who have secrets and they're sort. They're all brought together around this one house that is the most beautiful house.” – Lisa Kudrow [04:56]
6. Working with Cast and Crew
Lisa elaborates on her experience working with the cast of No Good Deed, including Dennis Leary and Ray Romano. She highlights the camaraderie and the collaborative environment that made the project enjoyable.
Quote:
“It was really fun and closer than I thought we'd get, you know, because there's no guarantee of, you know, this continuing, you know. If it does, I don't know.” – Lisa Kudrow [10:43]
7. The State of the Acting Industry Today
The discussion transitions to the evolving landscape of television and streaming platforms. Lisa reflects on the reduction of long-season shows and its impact on actors and the industry.
Quote:
“It feels a lot different to me than it did 20 years ago. I mean, now there's almost no such thing… that's a huge reduction in the amount of work there is for absolutely everybody in the industry.” – Lisa Kudrow [12:07]
8. Reflection on Friends’ Legacy and New Generations
Lisa contemplates the enduring legacy of Friends and its influence on new generations discovering the show through streaming platforms. She expresses joy in connecting with younger fans who appreciate her work.
Quote:
“I always thought, like when my son was in kindergarten, we were still on. Right. And little girls saying, oh, I watch Friends and you do. You shouldn't be.” – Lisa Kudrow [26:25]
9. Creating New Projects Post-Friends
Willie and Lisa discuss her ventures following Friends, including her role in Mad About You and the creation of her own projects. Lisa shares the process of developing new ideas and the importance of innovation in her career.
Quote:
“I started telling him the idea about this kind of phony actress and on a reality show. And he went and we talked for three hours. And by the end of that, he said, we have a show.” – Lisa Kudrow [40:12]
10. Conclusion
Willie Geist wraps up the conversation by acknowledging Lisa Kudrow's remarkable ability to balance commercial success with creative fulfillment. He encourages listeners to watch her new series, No Good Deed, and commends her ongoing contributions to the entertainment industry.
Quote:
“You can check out her show, no Good Deed on Netflix. And my thanks to all of you. For listening again this week.” – Willie Geist [43:00]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Willie Geist [01:24]:
“She played Phoebe Buffay, one of six friends on one of the biggest shows in the history of television that ran for 10 seasons on NBC.”
-
Lisa Kudrow [04:34]:
“It's exciting. And then a little, you know, you don't want to make too many assumptions. So you hope people think it's as compelling as I do.”
-
Lisa Kudrow [25:38]:
“We kept saying people experience this on their own. Like they're in a movie and they don't have. That's got to be hard. We've got each other, like, to. All right, let's check in.”
-
Lisa Kudrow [38:24]:
“I had my boyfriend, Michelle already, and we got engaged into the first season, you know, at some point. And we got married right after we wrapped.”
-
Lisa Kudrow [42:32]:
“It turns out that is really different. I didn't realize it would be that different when I first read it. I was like, yeah, grounded comedy. Great. And then once got. I got into it, it's like, oh, but there's, like, heavy. Okay.”
Final Thoughts
This episode of Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist offers a comprehensive look into Lisa Kudrow's professional journey and personal insights. From her pivotal role on Friends to her latest endeavors on Netflix, Lisa provides a candid and engaging narrative that underscores her resilience and passion for acting. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs that have shaped her illustrious career.