Why Friends Still Captivates Fans 30 Years Later, According to Lisa Kudrow
and feels comforting.” Kudrow feels that the series, which originally aired from 1994 to 2004, evokes a kind of “subconscious nostalgia” especially among younger audiences who are accustomed to digital communication rather than face-to-face interactions.
According to Kudrow, the reason people become attached to shows is the real-life interactions and connections they offer. She believes that if a show is also funny, with great performances and jokes, that’s just an added bonus – and “Friends” had all of that. Reflecting on the skepticism surrounding the show’s concept initially, Kudrow recalled how many doubted its potential success, questioning the entertainment value of “a bunch of young people sitting on a couch talking.”
But despite the doubts, the show became a phenomenon, with the series finale captivating over 52 million viewers in May 2004 and the recent reunion special in 2021 delighting fans worldwide.
Looking ahead, Kudrow is set to appear in a new Netflix series, “No Good Deed,” created by Liz Feldman of “Dead to Me” fame. This dark comedy series follows three families vying for the same house in Los Angeles, starring Kudrow alongside Ray Romano, Abbi Jacobson, Linda Cardellini, Denis Leary, and Poppy Liu.
Discussing her collaboration with Romano, Kudrow expressed her excitement, noting that he is talented and genuinely nice. Fans can look forward to the release of “No Good Deed” on December 12.
