‘Can’t Remember A Time I Wasn’t In A Fountain.’ Lisa Kudrow Remembers Filming Friends’ Iconic Opening Scene, And I’m Shook Up About How Terrible It Sounds

As a huge fan of “Friends,” I can’t help but be fascinated by the behind-the-scenes stories that add depth to my favorite TV show. And Lisa Kudrow‘s recent revelation about filming the iconic opening sequence in the fountain is a perfect example of that.

Twenty years have passed since “Friends” went off the air, yet this beloved comedy continues to captivate audiences and is often hailed as one of the greatest sitcoms ever produced. The show’s allure stems from its hilarious moments, iconic opening credits, and enduring characters. However, it seems filming by the fountain for an episode was not as enjoyable as it appeared on screen, according to Lisa Kudrow’s recent revelation.

During the ten-year span of “Friends,” the constant elements in the opening scene, such as the umbrellas and dancing around the fountain, never varied. However, the clips interspersed in between changed with each season. These images have become synonymous with the show. Nevertheless, as Susan Sarandon shared on Conan O’Brien’s podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” her experience filming those scenes was far from smooth sailing. In her own words:

I’ve been there, enduring long, freezing nights by a fountain, trying to perfect a dance sequence for what felt like an eternity. Shooting those scenes was a true test of my resilience and discomfort tolerance. You see, I’m not one to enjoy any form of uneasiness, be it mild or intense, and that cold night at the fountain pushed me to my limits.

Given that they shot the scene at night and their bodies were soaked in water, it’s understandable why this experience isn’t fondly remembered. Furthermore, considering they likely worked for hours to get the footage, it’s no wonder the memory is tainted. Yet, despite being aware of these circumstances, one might still be taken aback by how unpleasant the situation truly was.

Keeping energy for such a task can be quite a challenge, but fortunately, there was something that maintained their motivation. Kudrow revealed that Matthew Perry came up with a humorous reaction when they learned they had to shoot at least one more take.

They announced, “We’ll try one more time.” He replied, somewhat confusingly, “One more? I can’t recall a dry moment in my life. Have you ever experienced that? I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t soaked. Are we wet now? Are we standing in a fountain? Dancing in a fountain?” This unexpected line hadn’t been included in the script yet. I assure you, I laughed uncontrollably during that moment. You can see it on our faces. It was because he had joked, “Are we prepared to start over? Ready for another take?” and burst into laughter himself.

As a longtime fan of “Friends,” I can’t help but appreciate the way Perry brought laughter to the table during those particularly exhausting moments. It wasn’t just that we needed a good laugh; it was his ability to make us smile genuinely, even when all we wanted was to call it a night.

Back in 2016, Jennifer Aniston revealed her honest feelings about dancing in the fountain for the iconic “Friends” opening sequence. She confessed that neither she nor her co-stars were huge fans of the theme song and found it awkward to dance in a fountain. However, they followed instructions and did it anyway. The unconventional approach for the opening might not have been ideal, but it certainly left an indelible mark and eventually led to the unfortunate demise of the band due to its immense popularity.

With a Max subscription, you have the freedom to re-watch “Friends” episodes as many times as you desire. Rather than skipping the intro each time, you can enjoy it in its entirety. No matter how frequently you’ve seen or listened to it, the intro remains fresh and exciting. Additionally, gaining insights into the background of the opening sequence adds a new dimension to your viewing experience.

2024-07-29 21:07

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