Filming Friends Fountain Opening Was a Miserable Experience

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Filming Friends Fountain Opening Was a Miserable Experience

Summary

  • Filming the iconic
    Friends
    opening sequence was a nightmare, despite the lighthearted tone of the show.
  • Lisa Kudrow reveals the challenges of shooting in a cold fountain late at night, with Matthew Perry saving the day.
  • Fans can now recreate part of the opening sequence on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Los Angeles.

As a die-hard fan who has binge-watched “Friends” more times than I care to admit, I must say that Lisa Kudrow’s revelation about the show’s iconic opening sequence being a “nightmare” only adds to its charm. It’s like learning that Santa Claus might have a grumpy elf helping him out in the North Pole – it just makes the magic even more endearing!

Lisa Kudrow, known for her portrayal of Phoebe Buffay in the famous sitcom Friends, admitted that filming the show’s opening sequence was a challenging ordeal instead of a pleasant experience as it might appear on screen. This iconic introduction, featuring the six characters frolicking around a fountain and a couch in the park while The Rembrandts played “I’ll Be There For You,” is an essential part of the show’s lasting appeal due to its cheerful atmosphere. However, behind the scenes during filming, things were not as jovial and carefree as they seemed on camera.

In an exclusive chat on Conan O’Brien’s podcast, “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend,” I learned some fascinating behind-the-scenes tales about the early days of Friends. As we were all still finding our footing and the show’s future was uncertain, it was Matthew Perry, the man behind Chandler Bing, who stepped up with his off-camera charm to keep things running smoothly. What a legend!

“To tell you the truth, splashing those titles in the fountain was an absolute ordeal. I hate discomfort, even the slightest bit, and that fountain was freezing cold. To top it off, it was quite late at night and we had probably shot around 500 takes of seemingly pointless dancing – you know how challenging that can be! Then they suggested playing with a scarf, which felt more like an inconvenience than fun. I was anything but cheerful!”

Kudrow then continues and addresses how Perry’s presence was a release:

”
And it was so cold, and we had to keep doing it, and Matthew- And they said ‘We’re gonna do one more take,’ and he said ‘One more? Okay. Can’t remember a time I wasn’t in a fountain. Seriously, can’t remember a time I wasn’t wet.
What are we? Wet? Are we wet in a fountain? What? Are we dancing in a fountain?’…They hadn’t written him like that yet, and
I don’t know when I’ve laughed so hard, and I just- So I’m not kidding, you see us laughing, and it’s because he had just said ‘Ready? Are we going again? Are we going to go again? Are we going to do it again?’ And laughing hysterically just doubled over, and that’s in the titles.
”

You Can Be Part of the Iconic Opening Sequence to Friends

Filming Friends Fountain Opening Was a Miserable ExperienceFilming Friends Fountain Opening Was a Miserable ExperienceFilming Friends Fountain Opening Was a Miserable ExperienceFilming Friends Fountain Opening Was a Miserable Experience

In essence, the introductory scene of “Friends” isn’t typically the part you’d skip when streaming. Instead, it’s appealing and invigorating, so deeply ingrained in popular culture that you might find yourself sticking around for a few extra minutes to enjoy some laughs. Recognizing the significance of such an opening moment, the show’s creators chose to craft something special.

If you decide to visit Los Angeles and opt for a studio tour, chances are you’ll choose the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. No matter which option you select (there are several), part of the tour involves sitting on a replica couch right in front of the real Friends fountain, where the iconic opening sequence was filmed. Yes, they moved the fountain to offer fans a chance to reenact that memorable scene. As you settle onto the couch, you might find yourself humming along to the tune you’ve heard countless times. And who knows? You may even walk on a patch of grass where Phoebe attempted to run wildly while Rachel looked mortified. That’s right, the studio tour also includes passing over an area that resembles a piece of Central Park, where Phoebe used to jog.

All seasons of Friends are available to stream on Max.

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2024-08-03 16:01