Best known for playing the quirky and beloved Phoebe Buffay on Friends, Lisa Kudrow recently criticized the "mean" behavior of the mostly male writers during the creation of the classic sitcom.  The actress played a key role in developing one of the most recognizable characters on television. However, years after the evergreen show ended, she has now revealed what actually happened behind the scenes.

Kudrow told The Times of London that behind the scenes, things were "intense." This is because the creators allegedly used to throw insults if an actor mispronounced their lines. They also encouraged a culture of inappropriate conversations. She also called out the writers for what she labelled as "mean" behavior, hinting at a difficult work environment. 

"There was definitely mean stuff going on behind the scenes. Don’t forget we were recording in front of a live audience of 400, and if you messed up one of these writers’ lines or it didn’t get the perfect response, they could be like, ‘Can’t the [woman] read? She’s not even trying,” Kudrow told The Times of London.

She revealed how the actors would sometimes openly receive harsh criticism if they forgot their lines, even though they performed in front of a live studio audience. The star further mentioned that several of the writers behaved inappropriately, such as making comments about her co-stars, Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, when they were not working. 

However, curtaining the harsh reality during production, was a show far more beloved.

How Lisa Kudrow's charm has kept Friends timeless in 2026

For the unversed, in Friends, Lisa Kudrow’s character, Phoebe Buffay, was the sixth friend who was quirky, fun, and had an emotional quotient that balanced out the cast. Phoebe was different from the rest of the gang due to her free spirit, peculiar nature, and wise words. These qualities made her unique and, at the same time, relatable.

Due to her nature, one cannot help but be attracted to Phoebe since she has embraced her individuality unapologetically and therefore stands out as fresh and comforting in the whole show. It is through her quirky sense of humor and raw emotion that she makes up for any imbalance in the group while increasing the emotional bond that exists between the audience and the series.

The issues surrounding friendship, love, and self-discovery that Friends addresses are still relevant in today’s world. The comforting world of the show has, in fact, overpowered the real-life challenges behind the scenes, some of which Kudrow has been speaking about as of late.

What do you think of Lisa Kudrow's revelations about the Friends backstage? Let us know in the comments. 

Written by

Bias Sinha

Edited by

Adiba Nizami