Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist: Episode Featuring Lisa Kudrow

Release Date: May 11, 2025
Guest: Lisa Kudrow
Topic: Discussing Lisa Kudrow's New Netflix Series "No Good Deed" and Reflections on Her Career

1. Introduction and Background

Willie Geist opens the conversation by celebrating Lisa Kudrow as a true icon of American television. He highlights her role as Phoebe Buffay on the landmark show "Friends," noting the show's unprecedented success over its ten-season run on NBC.

Willie Geist [01:40]: "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 also shares an interesting trivia: Lisa Kudrow is one of only two cast members from "Friends" to win an Emmy during the show's tenure.

Willie Geist [01:40]: "Lisa is one of only two friends to actually win the Emmy over the 10 seasons of that show."

2. Discussing "Friends" and Its Impact

The conversation delves into "Friends," exploring Lisa’s journey before landing the iconic role, the audition process, and the unexpected fame that followed.

Lisa Kudrow [02:06]: "The individual Emmys anyway."

Willie notes the deep camaraderie among the cast members, emphasizing how they supported each other through the whirlwind of success.

Willie Geist [02:08]: "Everything that was happening in their lives and the way the six of them kind of circled up and protected each other and went through this new thing together."

3. Introducing "No Good Deed"

Shifting focus to her new project, Willie Geist introduces "No Good Deed," a Netflix series co-starring Ray Romano. The show centers around a married couple, portrayed by Lisa and Ray, who are selling a house filled with secrets.

Willie Geist [02:08]: "But we talk a lot about Friends, but also about this amazing new series on Netflix she has called No Good Deed, which she co-stars with Ray Romano."

Lisa describes the series as a blend of mystery, humor, and tragedy, highlighting Liz Feldman’s role in crafting the narrative.

Lisa Kudrow [04:50]: "The show is a mystery for all these different people. People who have secrets and they're sort of. They're all brought together around this one house that is the most beautiful house... But the house itself is holding secrets, too."

4. Collaboration with Ray Romano and the Cast

The discussion shifts to Lisa's collaboration with Ray Romano and other cast members, including Dennis Leary and Linda Cardellini. Lisa shares her excitement about working with seasoned actors and the dynamics on set.

Lisa Kudrow [07:38]: "I love that Ray says the same thing on the other side. He said, 'Lisa's gonna be in this. Let's do it.' It was kind of a sign me up on both ends."

She also reflects on the ensemble nature of both "Friends" and "Everybody Loves Raymond," drawing parallels in their collaborative environments.

Lisa Kudrow [08:16]: "We never did. But you do cross paths with people. I think it's an okay assumption to make."

5. The Evolving Acting Industry

Willie and Lisa discuss the significant changes in the television industry over the past two decades, particularly the shift towards shorter seasons and the impact of streaming platforms.

Willie Geist [12:18]: "Does the business as an actor feel different to you than it did 20 years ago?"

Lisa Kudrow [12:23]: "It feels a lot different to me than it did 20 years ago... a huge reduction in the amount of work there is for absolutely everybody in the industry."

Lisa expresses adaptability to the new format, showing enthusiasm for storytelling within the constraints of eight-episode seasons.

Lisa Kudrow [13:09]: "Yeah, it's fine with me."

6. Reflections on Career and Fame

The conversation turns introspective as Lisa shares her strategies for handling fame, maintaining a grounded personal life, and keeping family out of the public eye.

Lisa Kudrow [38:04]: "Honestly, it seems to me... you handled the fame part of it very well."

She credits her strong family foundation and long-term relationship with her husband for keeping her grounded amidst the pressures of stardom.

Lisa Kudrow [39:14]: "And my whole family's around and, you know, your family just keeps you humble, grounded."

7. "Friends" Through the Lens of Time and New Generations

Lisa discusses the enduring legacy of "Friends," noting how new generations continue to discover and adore the show through streaming services.

Lisa Kudrow [25:59]: "We were talking about streaming how there's an entirely new generation that has found Friends... my daughter's 17 years old and she and her friends watch Friends."

She expresses joy in connecting with fans of all ages and the universal appeal of the characters.

Lisa Kudrow [26:12]: "Yeah, I do. I mean, I don't. A new generation... that's nice to be that age."

8. Career Beginnings and Transition to Acting

Lisa opens up about her early career aspirations and the pivotal moments that led her to television acting. She recounts her skepticism about show business and how encouragement from friends and mentors shifted her path.

Lisa Kudrow [29:23]: "I had to really just let it go. And I'm still always working on that."

She reflects on her initial auditions and the challenges she faced, including the unique experience of auditioning for "Friends" while other cast members did not.

Lisa Kudrow [34:26]: "And you auditioned for Jimmy Burroughs?"

Lisa Kudrow [35:06]: "I thought, I can trust him, right? I can trust him, right?"

9. Launching "No Good Deed"

The final segment focuses on the creation and development of "No Good Deed." Lisa shares the spontaneous yet serendipitous process of conceiving the show idea over lunch with Michael Patrick King, leading to its greenlighting by HBO.

Lisa Kudrow [40:10]: "We wrote the first episode in just a very short time."

She marvels at the show's evolution, balancing grounded comedy with dark, compelling narratives, and praises the writing and production team.

Lisa Kudrow [42:30]: "Yeah, it turns out that is really different... it's like, oh, but there's like heavy. Okay. Yeah. That's a challenge."

10. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Willie wraps up the interview by congratulating Lisa on her ongoing projects and encouraging listeners to watch "No Good Deed" on Netflix. Lisa expresses her gratitude and excitement about the new series, reaffirming her passion for diverse and challenging roles.

Willie Geist [42:58]: "My big thanks again, Lisa, for a great conversation. You can check out her show, No Good Deed on Netflix."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Willie Geist [01:40]: "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 [04:22]: "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 [07:38]: "I love that Ray says the same thing on the other side. He said, 'Lisa's gonna be in this. Let's do it.' It was kind of a sign me up on both ends."

• Lisa Kudrow [12:23]: "It feels a lot different to me than it did 20 years ago... a huge reduction in the amount of work there is for absolutely everybody in the industry."

• Lisa Kudrow [25:59]: "We were talking about streaming how there's an entirely new generation that has found Friends... my daughter's 17 years old and she and her friends watch Friends."

• Lisa Kudrow [38:04]: "Honestly, it seems to me... you handled the fame part of it very well."

• Lisa Kudrow [42:30]: "Yeah, it turns out that is really different... it's like, oh, but there's like heavy. Okay. Yeah. That's a challenge."

Final Notes

This episode provides an intimate glimpse into Lisa Kudrow's illustrious career, her experiences on "Friends," and her latest venture into producing compelling television with "No Good Deed." Listeners are treated to candid reflections on fame, the evolving entertainment industry, and the enduring impact of beloved television shows across generations.

For those who haven't listened to the episode, this summary encapsulates the essence of Lisa Kudrow's journey and her insights into crafting meaningful narratives in today's media landscape.