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For Sale Apr 6, 2026 at 1:41 AM

Lisa Kudrow Says ‘Nobody Cared About Me’ on Friends: ‘I Was Called ‘the Sixth Friend’

Posted by mcfw31

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CloakOfElvenkind Apr 6, 2026 +2658
Not a super fan of the show, but the episode where all of the friends were eating out together and splitting the bill evenly even though three of the characters couldn't afford to do so remains present in my mind, and she was hilarious in that one.
2658
ReverieJack Apr 6, 2026 +1078
“Joey with his…TINY PIZZA”
1078
uksiddy Apr 6, 2026 +289
Lmao I can hear her say this line 😭
289
Frugal_Octopus Apr 6, 2026 +107
https://youtu.be/lkbr5qnYSUU?si=1bTBp6C6YfH7El-5 If anyone cares to relive the scene
107
Old-Library5546 Apr 6, 2026 +23
Thanks, I enjoyed watching again
23
Ornery_Alligators Apr 6, 2026 +32
Man 28 bucks each and they ordered 4 entrees, and 6 appetizers, plus had at least coffee? That’s at least $80 each at a nice restaurant now a days.
32
Awayfone Apr 6, 2026 +4
but take in account inflation. thirty years ago 28 bucks has the same buying power of 60 now.
4
Knightwolf75 Apr 6, 2026 +49
I think this is the reason I don’t find friends funny. It’s just too relatable? But like the annoying relatable. I’d be on the poor side, but I would be vocal about how I can’t afford anything I’m just around for the company. Monica got a promotion and she shouldn’t have to pay? Nah, you make more now, you treat the rest of the table if you wanna celebrate accordingly. But even if you don’t want to, you’re still paying. You have enough money to never think about money? Then I would imagine you have enough to pay for the c**** tickets to a concert for all your friends to join you if you really want to go and have them along (knowing this was the 90s and tickets would not be 180 a person). Or at least offer that. They don’t actually seem like friends that care about each other.
49
Redsfan19 Apr 6, 2026 +26
I watched friends when it was on originally and generally enjoyed it, but I remember this episode specifically making me uncomfortable and not finding it funny.
26
Curt_Uncles 6 days ago +13
It’s supposed to make you uncomfortable. It’s supposed to make you think of the awkward difficulty of navigating adult friendship even as you transition into a stage of life where we all have wildly different bank account balances, priorities, etc. It’s about being willing to sacrifice to make a friend happy and also whether it’s even fair or whether it’s selfish to ask for sacrifice from a friend who is barely scraping by. It’s supposed to make you think about a time you and a friend didn’t see eye to eye on money and what’s “fair.” The discomfort is the point.
13
Redsfan19 6 days ago +4
That was never the depth Friends approached storylines with though. I get the point.
4
brizzboog Apr 6, 2026 +116
I'm sorry, but cold cucumber mush for thirty something bucks? No...uh uh!
116
Ornery_Alligators Apr 6, 2026 +6
It’d be $50 now a days.
6
Gideon_Laier Apr 6, 2026 +305
I'm 37, but I still remember this episode when I was 12 or something. I kinda was like yup, I relate to the poor side of the table haha
305
FTR_1077 Apr 6, 2026 +7
Relate?? I was in my early 20s when this episode aired.. that episode was my diner.
7
uwonichi Apr 6, 2026 +186
Or the one in Vegas where they wake up after Ross and Rachel get married “I can’t have a mimosa with breakfast? I’m on vacation” and “ohhhh that’s your thing, you’re the guy that gets divorced”
186
extremelysardonic Apr 6, 2026 +106
Yes lmao and when she’s laughing at Ross calling him “divorcing guy” and just goes “I’m so DRUNK”
106
lifegoeson5322 Apr 6, 2026 +11
https://youtu.be/jbtMA5MrV1c?si=u35GvudXPIW8T38f Here you go!
11
avoidance_behavior Apr 6, 2026 +48
i quote her saying 'i'm so drunk' pretty much any time i have more than two drinks, which is annoying but as an elder millennial it feels necessary
48
extremelysardonic Apr 6, 2026 +23
HAHA SO DO I!!!! Actually so many phoebe-isms have worked their way into my vocab. Like whenever someone annoys me I like to accuse them of being a “crazy, jealous sycophant!” lol
23
Flashy_Emu_996 Apr 6, 2026 +15
I love you lol
15
Voski_The_God Apr 6, 2026 +164
My spouse and I are going through this exact situation with her friends on family-friend vacation destinations. I referenced this exact episode.
164
experfailist Apr 6, 2026 +118
We went out with the in laws once. They chose the restaurant. It was expensive. My wife and I ordered, kept tally of our bill. When the final bill came my dickhead brother in law suggests an even split. I say, nope. I'll pay for me and my wife, this is our bill + 15 % gratuity. I put down the cash. He then took the cash, factored the 15 % gratuity into their payment, paidbwith a card, and the waiter didn't get a tip.
118
kwismexer Apr 6, 2026 +78
He's a polished turd, that guy.
78
[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 +35
[deleted]
35
bsmithcan Apr 6, 2026 +9
A coworker tried something similar with me once. I doubled my tip because I knew he wouldn’t give any for his meal and then tried to use my tip money to supplement his meal. I ended up giving him a lecture in front of the waitress and made him fork out the rest of the money.
9
canigetsumgreypoupon Apr 6, 2026 +100
that episodes is so real - i remember watching that when i was like 25 and it perfectly captured that weird transitory phase where some members of your friend group are doing rather well while others are still kinda just chilling all day living the college lifestyle
100
Earth2Kim Apr 6, 2026 +38
As someone online in the 90s, who watched Friends and loved Phoebe, there’s no way anyone at the network would know how much I enjoyed that character or what the majority of viewers even thought about the show. My online time was spent focusing on sci-fi shows that were cancelled after one season, so they obviously didn’t look there.
38
Mansidhe Apr 6, 2026 +21
I also have a coat that's kind of a brownish color.
21
kylejohnkenowski Apr 6, 2026 +17
This is probably the best episode of the entire series.
17
Impressive_Term_9248 Apr 6, 2026 +13
When they first split the bill for 20$, it sounds almost reasonably low for a fancy restaurant with our current prices in mind. What would be today‘s equivalent I wonder…
13
jokr128 Apr 6, 2026 +7
About to 40 today.
7
mcfw31 Apr 6, 2026 +1713
> “Nobody cared about me,” Kudrow, 62, recalled. “There were certain parts of [my talent agency] that just referred to me as ‘the sixth Friend.’ ” > She went on to say that “there was no vision for me, and no expectations about the kind of career I could have.” > “There was just, like, ‘Boy, is she lucky she got on that show,’ " Kudrow explained.
1713
SpiritedOwl_2298 Apr 6, 2026 +1317
She was always my favorite, this makes me so sad
1317
Life_Elevator_5795 Apr 6, 2026 +133
Noooo… phoebe would not want you be sad
133
Cute_Friendship2438 Apr 6, 2026 +71
Regina Filangy would tho
71
Victorbanner Apr 6, 2026 +220
Hated her on friends but I was age 13-highschool. On re watches her and Ross (who I used to hate) became my favs
220
POWBOOMBANG Apr 6, 2026 +236
Ross was my absolute favorite. His physical comedy is so underrated.  So many funny moments of his are totally dependant on the performance instead of what is written on the page 
236
PraestSH Apr 6, 2026 +105
The face he made when Lisa asked him “is this like when you tried to tell us you were a doctor?” Omg I still think about that as one of the funniest things I have ever seen.
105
GreyJeanix Apr 6, 2026 +39
I just wrote this as well! His delivery made stuff hilarious. FRONT AND BACK
39
americanoperdido Apr 6, 2026 +53
Pivot! PIVOT!
53
Broken-Digital-Clock Apr 6, 2026 +84
The dude is a solid actor. He was also great in Band of Brothers and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
84
CodeNamesBryan Apr 6, 2026 +41
He was incredible in Band of Brothers.
41
horror_fan74 Apr 6, 2026 +25
When they took Easy away from Captain Sobel, his reaction was heart-rending
25
CheckYourStats Apr 6, 2026 +7
His weekend pass was revoked.
7
timberrrrrrrr Apr 6, 2026 +6
Malarkey!
6
TheVintageJane Apr 6, 2026 +17
Also brilliant as Rob Kardashians in American Crime Story. Watching him come to the realization that OJ, this man he loved like a brother, had brutally murdered his wife and a local service industry worker in cold blood was beautiful.
17
ozSillen Apr 6, 2026 +13
Ross being so whiny set my mind to dislike him immediately for Sobel. Perfect casting!
13
Freudinio Apr 6, 2026 +31
The bagpipe scene is hilarious. I also love the whole keyboard bit.. "awh, he lost it"
31
avoidance_behavior Apr 6, 2026 +27
when she starts screeching along to the bagpipes i lose it, they were both so funny
27
Sharchir Apr 6, 2026 +5
One of the best little moments of the whole show
5
BigBlackSabbathFlag Apr 6, 2026 +5
Monica “Why do you have to be Scottish!?” Chandler “Why do you have to be Ross?!”
5
totally-suspicious Apr 6, 2026 +6
Once Schwimmer relaxed into his 'Ross is a total loser' phase he became ridiculously funny. His comedic timing is brilliant.
6
MarlenaEvans Apr 6, 2026 +40
Im your age I guess but I was all about Ross and Rachel then and now Ross is such a drip. He has some funny storylines but I absolutely hate him.
40
uwonichi Apr 6, 2026 +62
Ross is annoying and whiny sometimes but he presents it in a funny way a lot of the time so I can’t help but appreciate his character
62
stircrazyathome Apr 6, 2026 +52
He is one of the funniest characters. When I look back at the episodes that brought me to tears from laughter, it’s almost always a Ross storyline. Whether he’s wearing paste pants, becoming 14 shades darker, over-whitening his teeth, or making fajitas, Ross is hilarious. Would I like him in real life? Doubtful.
52
GreyJeanix Apr 6, 2026 +29
Plus Moving furniture, three divorces, all the college / high school flashbacks, all of his relationships, all his work storylines. IMO he is the most talented actor on the show and his physical comedy acting was a lot of what made him so funny.
29
lucent54 Apr 6, 2026 +24
MY SANDWICH
24
namnle Apr 6, 2026 +10
Unagi was pretty awesome too.
10
strawberryskis4ever Apr 6, 2026 +6
The Holiday Armadillo
6
uwonichi Apr 6, 2026 +8
Omg yes, the paste pants and the fajitas are absolute classics lmao
8
scrunchie_one Apr 6, 2026 +29
He’s kind of the Larry David where he’s usually actually in the right but is an ass about it so it makes him unlikable.
29
Mard0g Apr 6, 2026 +17
Ross was my last and now my favorite too. They gave him some great dialogue.
17
suzyq630 Apr 6, 2026 +79
Me too!
79
HumanLawyer Apr 6, 2026 +4
Pregnant Phoebe was one of the funniest characters on the show
4
Awkward-Audience7887 Apr 6, 2026 +236
She needed a different agency.
236
Lightyear1931 Apr 6, 2026 +83
Yeah, that’s my main takeaway. If she felt like she deserved more respect, but even her own agency didn’t respect her, then get an agency that at least pretends to believe in you.
83
Soft-Walrus8255 Apr 6, 2026 +34
It was apparently CAA, and they were the biggest, most powerful agency. At the time they controlled access to a whole lot of directors and projects. If she'd left CAA, it wouldn't have looked exactly neutral and imo could have hurt her career more than staying despite their lack of enthusiasm. Tbh she also may have only fully realized all this later on, when it no longer mattered.
34
Twittenhouse Apr 6, 2026 +11
She got paid the same, at least while on Friends. My guess would be Jennifer Anniston got paid the most post Friends just based on how much work she got.
11
UltraMegaUgly Apr 6, 2026 +57
Which is weird because ahe was actually on another show when Friends started.
57
march72021 Apr 6, 2026 +55
Yes, she showed tremendous range on Mad About You .
55
SquirrelCone83 Apr 6, 2026 +46
I loved the cameo episode where Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt showed up at Central Perk and were convinced Phoebe was Ursula.
46
rory_breakers_ganja Apr 6, 2026 +10
It was Fran and Jamie who saw her first.
10
Coolbluegatoradeyumm Apr 6, 2026 +48
She should have dropped that agency. Sure someone believed in her
48
Intrepid_Pop_8530 Apr 6, 2026 +111
> > “There was just, like, ‘Boy, is she lucky she got on that show,’ " Kudrow explained. Frankly, they all were pretty damn lucky the whole thing worked. The only breakout after 30 some years is Aniston. Sounds like she's dealing with some self worth issues. I wish she didn't feel that way.
111
Lint6 Apr 6, 2026 +75
> The only breakout after 30 some years is Aniston. Courteney Cox has done pretty good since Friends
75
artificialdawnmusic Apr 6, 2026 +13
Cougartown was a pretty funny show.
13
MA2_Robinson Apr 6, 2026 +13
Scream for another for her for sure
13
scrunchie_one Apr 6, 2026 +32
I agree with her that her character never got developed to her full potential. Like her backstory of living on the streets is more interesting than anything she got on the show, and even her dating storylines just kind of abruptly ended (cop guy shot the pigeon; scientist moved to Minsk)… she could have been a lot better than the quirky friend who was the sounding board to the others.
32
BrosefDudeson Apr 6, 2026 +12
You're forgetting she ended up with Mike Banana hammock
12
cannabisgold Apr 6, 2026 +9
*C*** Bag
9
siqiniq Apr 6, 2026 +54
Some imposter syndrome. Phoebe and Joey are the core humour of the show while the rest are mere reactionary cast imao.
54
onions-make-me-cry Apr 6, 2026 +23
Nah, Phoebe and Chandler
23
IBeBallinOutaControl Apr 6, 2026 +13
Sitcoms need different roles to work. Dwight schrute and Tobias funke may generate the most laughs but without a Jim Halpert or Michael bluth to play off it doesn't work. But agreed that no member of the 6 friends sticks out as unnecessary.
13
Exciting_Cicada_4735 Apr 6, 2026 +24
Sounds like she’s talking about impostor syndrome and not what people were actually saying
24
VampireHunterAlex Apr 6, 2026 +1014
Were it not for Schwimmer leading the charge for the cast to be made equal early on, the show would’ve ended up the ‘Ross & Rachel Project’. But it’s obvious that since they ended up together, then Monica & Chandler ended up together, that Phoebe & Joey got the short end a bit. (Then obviously Joey got the spinoff)
1014
berserkgobrrr Apr 6, 2026 +649
David did all of them a solid. They all made a ton of money because of his stand.
649
VampireHunterAlex Apr 6, 2026 +517
I think in Matthew Perrys bio released a year or so before he died, he even stated of the situation to David “I don’t owe you one: I owe you $30 million.” (Was probably a LOT more too.)
517
TheRoadkillRapunzel 6 days ago +10
Oh man, I listened to that on audio right after he died. Hearing him talk about his addiction right after I knew it killed him was haunting. Yes, I loved how he gave David Schwimmer all the credit for the show being as equitable as it was between cast members. He could have taken his giant check and not worried about them, but instead he made the choice to support them.
10
L_Cranston_Shadow Apr 6, 2026 +65
I'm not sure I believe that though, he was arguably the most marketable of the cast at the time and would have landed on his feet without Friends. The rest of the cast, not so much.
65
Defiant_Eggplant_909 Apr 6, 2026 +62
He did say that in his book but it was $60 million.
62
Bubblybathtime Apr 6, 2026 +86
Unfortunately he’s also responsible for the rise of reality TV. After that whole deal, studios pivoted (PIVOT!) to a model where they didn’t have to pay actors or writers. Hence Survivor, Big Brother, Naked and Afraid…etc etc ad nauseam.
86
Broken-Digital-Clock Apr 6, 2026 +109
Iirc, there was a writers' strike (no shade on them) around then that also accelerated the rise of crappy reality TV.
109
JB-Wentworth Apr 6, 2026 +28
Watch the credits, those reality tv shows have plenty of writers.
28
n8tivespace Apr 6, 2026 +43
There’s also something to be said that at the same time, MTV’s Real World came out, and we had the O.J. Simpson case chase and trial; both of which were a clear demonstration of viewership for unscripted tv. Producers saw not only a cost savings measure, but at the same time, a huge viewership keyed up for programming that carried risk, allowed for a bit of voyeurism, and offered the exposure of human flaws with opportunity to judge from afar.
43
VictorReal_Monster Apr 6, 2026 +30
While I understand where this is coming from I feel like this is totally wrong. They could afford to pay them that much, the network was *still making the most money* even after paying them more and equally, they were still ahead, they just wanted ***more*** like we've constantly seen businesses do *all the time*. It's not the actors fault for getting what they rightfully deserved
30
jetmanfortytwo Apr 6, 2026 +9
Which Lisa Kudrow then parodied in The Comeback. It’s all connected!
9
Project_Wild Apr 6, 2026 +54
Pheobe ended up with Mike (Paul Rudd) tho! She got a happy ending at least
54
smeghead_85 Apr 6, 2026 +32
You mean C*** Bag?
32
Horror_Response_1991 Apr 6, 2026 +81
It was supposed to be the Ross and Monica show (with Monica dating Joey) but Rachel stole the show from the female side and Monica became more a trope because of it.
81
mondaymoderate Apr 6, 2026 +48
Well they really wanted Jennifer Aniston so it makes sense after they stole her from another show they would put all their chips on her.
48
ImArcherVaderAMA Apr 6, 2026 +17
What show did they steal her from?
17
mondaymoderate Apr 6, 2026 +45
A show called Muddling Through. She was under contract to do that show. But NBC was sure Friends would be a hit so they intentionally made Muddling Through fail so it wouldn’t be renewed for a 2nd season and that would end her contract and allow her to sign a contract with Friends.
45
your_mind_aches Apr 6, 2026 +5
The fact that she played Jeannie in the Ferris Bueller TV show is crazy.
5
Fit_Afternoon_1279 Apr 6, 2026 +9
There’s a Ferris Bueller TV show?
9
thetinybasher Apr 6, 2026 +13
I loved the show but I really felt like it dipped on quality once Monica and Chandler got together… chandler just stopped being as funny but that’s probably also due to Matthew Perry’s off screen issues.
13
NobodyLikedThat1 Apr 6, 2026 +730
Of all the main cast, she was basically used for the occasional "zany" one-liner and that was about it. She arguably had the fewest scenes, least character growth, and fewest relationships (either romantic ones or dynamics with the main cast)
730
Galahad_the_Ranger Apr 6, 2026 +488
Almost to illustrate how disconnected she was, she is the only of the Friends who didn’t live in either of the main apartments for any meaningful length of time
488
milkmanbonzai Apr 6, 2026 +261
There's a pie chart in the Friends Experience that shows off how many lines each character had in the show. The other five are pretty close to identical while Phoebe is a clear sixth
261
rwags2024 Apr 6, 2026 +105
Would you say… a sixth friend
105
WhereBaptizedDrowned Apr 6, 2026 +53
She was filled in for the “dumb blonde” role. Phoebe was horrifically dumb and irked me. Lol
53
bulletbassman Apr 6, 2026 +11
Actually they originally planned on her being goth but instead made her more of a “free spirit”. I don’t think her character is dumb just uneducated compared to everyone but Joey.
11
YugoB Apr 6, 2026 +39
What about the other Ross character?
39
katikaboom Apr 6, 2026 +91
Ross lived in Monica's apartment for a summer when he was in college, it was before the series started and that info was only revealed in the last 2 minutes of the series finale. He lived with Joe's and Chandler but only for a little bit, he got on their nerves But Phoebe lived with Monica a couple of times, once before the series started, and then after Rachel burned down Phoebe's apartment. I'm not sure OP is remembering the full storyline
91
mondaymoderate Apr 6, 2026 +30
Ross also lived in the building directly across the street and his apartment was featured a lot.
30
AccioKatana Apr 6, 2026 +25
Remember when they saw Chandler and Monica hook up? “My eyes! My EYES!!” Phoebe was so funny!
25
titanrunner2 Apr 6, 2026 +7
Ahhh yes! The summer he was trying to make it as a dancer.
7
Lopadonus9 Apr 6, 2026 +27
“Why doesn’t Ross, the largest of the ‘friends,’ not simply eat the other five?”
27
snuffaluffagus74 Apr 6, 2026 +5
You mean Russ, I hated that dude. He had such a punchable face. Ross though I loved him, he was my favorite.
5
Storm_Sire Apr 6, 2026 +16
um actually, Phoebe was Monica's canonical roommate for a while, she just decided to move out right after they hired Jennifer Aniston.
16
Horror_Response_1991 Apr 6, 2026 +5
Ross never did afaik.  It just feels like he does because he’s always at Monica’s.
5
coalio28 Apr 6, 2026 +134
Yeah but she does end up with the best guy on the show. Idk I just love Paul Rudd
134
14ktgoldscw Apr 6, 2026 +98
His story about being at the finale and saying “boy, we sure did it, huh?” Is the funniest Hollywood story ever.
98
Sakiel-Norn-Zycron Apr 6, 2026 +6
What a ride
6
ChicagoSunroofNo2 Apr 6, 2026 +6
Mr C*** Bag
6
KellyMac88 Apr 6, 2026 +11
First name C***, last name Bag.
11
alishock Apr 6, 2026 +64
Wouldn’t say she has the least character growth I think Joey is easily the one with the least growth imo, especially with that stupid Rachel storyline in the last seasons that only worked to make more drama and didn’t really give him any sort of evolution when it finished
64
WineAndDogs2020 Apr 6, 2026 +77
If anything, Joey had negative character growth during the series. First seasons he was clever, street smart, and a growing actor. By the end of the show I was surprised he could tie his shoes.
77
MiedoDeEncontrarme Apr 6, 2026 +29
Yup dude started out as someone who had no book smarts but wasn't dumb, just not formally educated. Dude went from knowing how to turn off the heater of an apartment that was apparently broken to being unable to open baby proof things.
29
Irritatedtrack Apr 6, 2026 +9
Just like Kevin from the office. He wasn’t dumb dumb when the show started off, but they just making him dumber and dumber as the seasons progressed.
9
owlandphoenix Apr 6, 2026 +9
If anything, Joey arguably had major character regression. He became a caricature to support the "serious" nature of the 4.
9
scrunchie_one Apr 6, 2026 +8
Joey almost became dumber as the show went on. But he and phoebe did get the least attention to character development, where I would say Rachel and chandler got the biggest. Monica and Ross were kind of the glue so it makes sense that their characters were a bit more solid at the start.
8
huzy12345 Apr 6, 2026 +7
Not almost, he did. It became his defining character trait. Rachel easily had the most character growth followed by Chandler
7
verukazalt Apr 6, 2026 +142
Lisa was great in Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion and I saw her in a movie where her character was a doctor whose husband left her and married someone much younger. Very dramatic role with no comedy and she was good there, too.
142
buffalotrace Apr 6, 2026 +50
Liked her in The Easy A, Booksmart, and even Bandslam.
50
danbilllemon Apr 6, 2026 +21
She was adorable as Kimmy’s mom in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt!
21
[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 +10
She was in one episode of the Good Place. But damn, she just crushed it, and that’s against a brutal cast.
10
happygiraffe91 Apr 6, 2026 +8
Yeah, The Other Woman was pretty heartbreaking and she had a scene that just had me in tears. Lisa Kudrow's got the acting chops for real.
8
miltonwadd Apr 6, 2026 +27
She's definitely the most versatile and talented acting wise. Aniston and Cox may be more famous but they don't have the chops she does and despite Aniston's brief stint in indie dramas where she's decent they tend to just play different flavours of the same neurotic millenial women archetype.
27
OohWeeTShane Apr 6, 2026 +6
Millennial?
6
mercurywaxing Apr 6, 2026 +6
Nobody is mentioning The Comeback? She nails three seasons over 21 years.
6
Chrono_Convoy Apr 6, 2026 +218
Huh I always thought she had the most flexibility of any character when it came to plot lines. Similar vein to Kramer being all over the place
218
No_Use_9652 Apr 6, 2026 +107
That does kind of indirectly lead to not having a ton of direction in the writing. Your wild card has to be wild, so that’s not who you do a season long romance arc with or similar.
107
karmagod13000 Apr 6, 2026 +21
Not like friends was known for their stretching character arcs
21
Divine_fashionva Apr 6, 2026 +10
Chandler and Rachel had pretty good characters arcs Everyone else though didn’t
10
caindela Apr 6, 2026 +11
This is exactly how I remembered Phoebe. Obviously she was a very different character, but she filled a similar role to what Kramer filled (as you mentioned) but also what many others characters have filled over the years, all the way from Jim from Taxi, to Barney from How I Met Your Mother, to Lowell from Wings. It never occurred to me that she was somehow “lesser” than the other cast members, but rather that was just her role in the cast and also a pretty standard archetype.
11
milkmanbonzai Apr 6, 2026 +26
"Im very bendy."
26
NikkiWebster Apr 6, 2026 +9
That can be both a pro and a con. She filled a similar space in the show to Joey, but Joey lived with Chandler and even had a short arc as a romantic interest for Rachel. That meant that Phoebe was more a utility character that could move plot points forward when needed or be comic relief, but didn't get the same attention in terms of her own big arcs.
9
Spddracer Apr 6, 2026 +40
Princess Conseulla Bannanahammock
40
ThePedanticWalrus Apr 6, 2026 +34
Is it just me, or does "The Sixth Friend" sound like some kind of eldritch demon
34
AuthorityAnarchyYes Apr 6, 2026 +544
Phoebe and Joey were the only two that I would have wanted as a friend. A free spirit and a great guy, both honest and kind. Chandler would get on my nerves very easily, Ross and Monica were toxic as hell and Rachel was a narcissist.
544
Tight_Contact_9976 Apr 6, 2026 +124
“Are you gonna sit there and say that every single friend belongs in Hell? I mean sure Ross, and Rachel, and Monica and Joey, and definitely Chandler. But Phoebe?”
124
ItsAboutResilience Apr 6, 2026 +34
Unexpected GP!
34
ChoiceStar1 Apr 6, 2026 +14
I love that Lisa is in the good place too!
14
MeatballUser Apr 6, 2026 +179
Phoebe was straight mean pretty often. Definitely wouldn't call her kind
179
Tacitus111 Apr 6, 2026 +85
Yup. The longer the show went, she changed from being a free spirited nice person to a manipulative, mean, busybody. She was my least favorite character by the end of the run just because she’d turned into a jerk who frequently exploited the others for her own amusement.
85
Westtexasbizbot Apr 6, 2026 +38
She was like Kramer. She was ‘wacky,’ so people not familiar with the show thought she was the nice, fun one. That’s why the writers could get away with making her say shitty things to all the other characters.
38
Gradz45 Apr 6, 2026 +13
Ironically Kramer was actually the nice one.  He was blunt, thoughtless and ignorant but never malicious and he did many kind things.  Like make food for a Jewish singles mixer seemingly free of charge, gave food to homeless people, saved his girlfriend’s toe when it got severed by a street cleaner and fought off a mugger to get to the hospital with the toe. And while a stalker still took good care of Bette Midler. 
13
pifster Apr 6, 2026 +7
All of the characters became extreme caricatures of themselves the longer the show went on. It's why I never fully enjoyed the later seasons but can rewatch earlier ones any day.
7
kingofstormandfire Apr 6, 2026 +22
Really? Chandler IMO is the only one I would want as a real life friend. He was the most normal of the bunch, and in spite of a few hiccups, he was a pretty great and loyal friend.
22
Heheheidiot Apr 6, 2026 +39
Exactly she was just the female Joey to me and the only parts I was interested in as a kid were them.
39
BeginningMidnight639 Apr 6, 2026 +26
weren’t a good chunk of the problems the friends had caused by phoebe?
26
AuthorityAnarchyYes Apr 6, 2026 +50
No, that was Ursula.
50
Ohwerk82 Apr 6, 2026 +19
Or Regina Phallange
19
QuebecRomeoWhiskey Apr 6, 2026 +11
Same. If I had to choose a third probably Chandler
11
Turkzillas_gobble Apr 6, 2026 +27
"You'd lift right out!" she was told. It was right there in the show!
27
toomanyDolemites Apr 6, 2026 +7
Came for this comment. Not disappointed.
7
Turkzillas_gobble Apr 6, 2026 +10
I remembered it well because it was obviously true yet heartbreaking
10
yes_u_suckk Apr 6, 2026 +56
There's this interview with one of the creators long ago where they admitted that the original plan for the show was to have only Monica, Ross, Rachel and Chandler as the main characters, while Phoebe and Joey were supposed to be supporting characters, like Janice. Funny because I always though Phoebe and Joey were funnier than the rest of the cast, except Chandler.
56
Cool-Newspaper6789 Apr 6, 2026 +20
Probably because they never had to do the heavy lifting of an episode, moving the plot along. They just got the punchline 
20
hunterlong12 Apr 6, 2026 +28
Always reminded of a good place quote: "Are you gonna sit there and tell me that every single Friend belongs in hell? I mean, maybe Ross and Rachel, and Monica and Joey, and definitely Chandler... but Phoebe?"
28
BurbankCinemaClub Apr 6, 2026 +12
Phoebe is straight up evil and really mean.
12
mindbodyproblem Apr 6, 2026 +14
I mean, sure, she stabbed a cop, but he stabbed her first!
14
Kanobe24 Apr 6, 2026 +21
She was probably the most comedically gifted out of the three women (you could make the argument for the whole cast). Her character was just very limited which isnt her fault.
21
superbat210 Apr 6, 2026 +18
I love Pheobe but she’s absolutely right. Funny thing is the show almost critiques itself on this idea. Like they have an episode where they joke that Phoebe is the one friend in the group who “just lifts right out” because she isn’t related to, doesn’t live with ,or date any of the other friends. They also bring up her floaty noncommittal love life later on in the series and talk about how she had never been in a serious relationship before Mike. The worst one though is how her search for her family takes up most of her plots for the first half of the show and it results in her meeting her birth parents only to never mention them again or talk about her feelings on it. So little payoff after all that building up. It really feels like a dropped plot line.
18
chrisfpdx Apr 6, 2026 +10
Sorry Lisa. No one told you life was going to be this way?
10
VanderHalifax Apr 6, 2026 +113
The other characters all had rich emotional story arcs including growth. Phoebe was almost a cartoon character responsible for many nutty surprises the other characters were incapable of. And Kudrow still made mega millions as a forgotten Friend. She'll be okay.
113
ComprehensiveFlan638 Apr 6, 2026 +102
Rubbish. Joey didn’t grow emotionally at all. In fact, he regressed emotionally and intelligently. Phoebe found her parents, met her brother, was a surrogate mother, got a steady job, met a good guy, got married.
102
mondaymoderate Apr 6, 2026 +33
Joey in the beginning and Joey at the end are 2 completely different characters. One of the textbook cases of flanderization.
33
mem_pats Apr 6, 2026 +24
Thank you!! Some of these comments in here are crazy.
24
scrunchie_one Apr 6, 2026 +5
Her romantic storylines were mostly for shits and giggles though, it was only at the end that it felt like they knew they had to give her a good ending on the romantic front. Agree about Joey though, at the end he was almost annoyingly dumb.
5
AndOnTheDrums Apr 6, 2026 +15
Im sure she cries herself to sleep on her giant piles of money.
15
tryingtoactcasual Apr 6, 2026 +22
Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat It’s not your fault
22
TiredReader87 Apr 6, 2026 +32
I’m a big fan of the show, and Phoebe has always been my least favourite character. That said, I like them all, and it’s a great cast. Phoebe is often great, but I don’t identify with her as much. Lisa Kudrow was perfectly cast, was very good in the show and should be proud. She seems very nice and genuine.
32
Dunaliella Apr 6, 2026 +6
Didn’t care about her character when I first watched. Love her now. But they overdid Smellycat.
6
ozzybarks Apr 6, 2026 +7
I’m sure she was saying that when she was checking her bank balance…
7
Comrade-Conquistador Apr 6, 2026 +23
If it makes you feel any better Lisa, I don't care about any of the other Friends either.
23
Divine_fashionva Apr 6, 2026 +7
Wow what a fresh Listnook take /s
7
Opinions_ideas Apr 6, 2026 +4
Lisa played Phoebe brilliantly, so talented! Everybody loved Phoebe. She was so real.
4
mrmaninblack5 Apr 6, 2026 +6
Awww, I feel bad for her and her $1mil per episode salary
6
aspencerr 6 days ago +5
She made millions, if nobody cared she would have left the show within the first few seasons. Another millionaire sob story.
5
SigintSoldier 6 days ago +5
Smelly cat, smelly cat. What are they feeding you? Phoebe was one of my favorite characters. Been a fan of Kudrow since Mad About You
5
bilateralcosine Apr 6, 2026 +17
Sign me up to be “the sixth Friend” YESTERDAY.
17
Diligent-Education96 Apr 6, 2026 +16
Poor Lisa. I think there’s a real argument to be made that she is easily the most talented of the crew.
16
RooMan7223 Apr 6, 2026 +4
Where’s she getting this from? She was easily one of the funniest
4
Evee862 Apr 6, 2026 +3
Phoebe was my favorite. She was weird and quirky, we all love to have around. Maybe not the main person on screen time, but absolutely essential
3
gap97216 Apr 6, 2026 +5
I loved Phoebe and Lisa Kudrow was fantastic in the role!
5
peridotpicacho Apr 6, 2026 +5
She was the best one. 
5
THEGHOSTHACXER Apr 6, 2026 +3
Imo she was the kramer of the show. The weird wild card. She was also undoubtedly the sexiest one on the show Hands. Down.
3
Lenny0mega Apr 6, 2026 +6
*The original text of this post has been deleted. [Redact](https://redact.dev/home) handled the removal, possibly to protect the author's privacy or limit exposure to data collection.* snails simplistic aback test theory frame wakeful entertain glorious march
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