Lisa Kudrow, best known for playing Phoebe Buffay on the hit 1990s sitcom ‘Friends,’ has recently criticized today’s television comedies, claiming that many new multi-camera sitcoms feel “too afraid” to risk jokes that might make viewers uncomfortable.
The 62-year-old actress says she does not find herself drawn to most current multicam shows, as she feels they lack the bold and edgy humor that once defined the genre.
Why Lisa Kudrow Thinks Modern Sitcoms Have Lost Their Edge
While speaking with Lily Tomlin for Interview Magazine, Lisa Kudrow did not hold back. “I’m not drawn to new sitcoms that are multi-camera in front of an audience because I’m not buying it, ” she said. “I don’t know if that’s just because I’ve seen too many single-camera sitcoms—I think we need to get back to being able to tell jokes. I feel like we’ve been too afraid to make jokes that might make people uncomfortable.”
Related: Lisa Kudrow Revisits The Most Iconic ‘Friends’ Fight And Admits “I’ve Switched”
Kudrow stressed that great comedy depends on surprise and willingness to push limits. She compared today’s shows to older hits like ‘Friends,’ ‘Seinfeld,’ and ’30 Rock,’ pointing out that the strongest punchlines often make audiences react with a shocked, “I can’t believe you just said that.” “The really good ones, they’re not tame jokes,” she said. “Comedy is about surprise. You need things you didn’t see coming.”
‘The Comeback’ Season 3 Launch Sparks Lisa Kudrow’s Honest Comedy Critique
Kudrow’s comments come as she promotes the third and final season of HBO’s ‘The Comeback,’ the critically acclaimed mockumentary she co-created and stars in as the struggling actress Valerie Cherish.
In case you missed it: Lisa Kudrow Did A Meta Sitcom After ‘Friends’ And There’s No Show Like It
The show is known for its often-uncomfortable take on the entertainment industry, touching on elements such as fame, aging, and the harsh side of Hollywood. In the new season, her character takes on a lead role in a sitcom secretly written by artificial intelligence, adding another layer to its take on modern television.
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