One outstanding movie to watch later this week on Max is the fresh comedy-horror flick, “The Parenting“. Starring a stellar ensemble cast including Lisa Kudrow, Dean Norris, Brian Cox, Edie Falco, and Parker Posey, this 2025 release centers around a family who vacation at a remote (and undeniably haunted) home over a weekend. They find themselves battling with supernatural entities, and surprisingly, Kudrow’s “Smelly Cat” song makes an appearance in one of the improvised scenes – making this story all the more intriguing!
The movie titled “The Parenting” features a young pair (portrayed by Brandon Flynn and Nik Dodani) where they invite both sets of their parents for a weekend retreat. Lisa Kudrow takes on the role of Josh’s mother, with an interesting twist: Josh, played by Flynn, is a struggling musician much like Kudrow’s beloved “Friends” character, Phoebe Buffay. In this film, Josh belts out a self-composed tune titled “Puppy Dog Eyes.” When I chatted with Flynn, he pointed out the similarities between his character, Josh, and Phoebe. Here’s what Flynn had to say in his own words:
The idea for this came from the previous night. As I went over the script, I found myself thinking, “I really want to confuse Lisa, which is quite unkind of me.” But I had learned ‘Smelly Cat’ by heart and ended up performing it in the scene, knowing full well that it wouldn’t be the take we used. Kent Sublette, the writer, who typically jots down quick notes and gives them to the cast, instead approached me with a request for “Puppy Dog Eyes.” It had only three lines of the song. He suggested, “You should sing this.” So I continued singing, shaping it into what it eventually became. And in the end, it turned out amazing, like an unusual serenade directed at Edie Falco.
Since the iconic NBC sitcom “Friends” is so popular, it must be challenging for someone not to mention it in some way when working alongside a cast member. This is particularly true when you’re collaborating with the actress who played the quirky and lovable Phoebe, known for her unique and humorous lines on the show. As Brandon Flynn revealed, knowing he would have to improvise singing like Phoebe does on set, he decided to surprise Kudrow by performing his own version of “Smelly Cat”.

As a fan excitedly sharing the news, I invite you to explore the engaging conversations in “The Parenting” starring Lisa Kudrow, Parker Posey, Dean Norris, Brian Cox, and Edie Falco, exclusively on Max starting March 13. And if the charm of this new series brings back memories of your beloved “Friends,” you’ll be thrilled to know that the entire series is also available there! You can opt for the With Ads plan at just $9.99 a month, with three tiers tailored for Max subscribers. Prepay for an annual subscription and enjoy a 20% savings. Don’t miss out on this fantastic deal!
The tune “Smelly Cat” has developed into a significant symbol of our culture, and Lisa Kudrow hasn’t hesitated to engage with it. There was an occasion where she even performed the song alongside Taylor Swift on stage. Although the writers of the show originally penned the lyrics, Kudrow lent her creativity to the melody. The actress often shares that fans frequently ask her to sing it due to its catchy title, “Smelly Cat”.
To think about the moment he sang that song for the star on set was truly invaluable, yet questions lingered. Did she seem delighted or perplexed? Nevertheless, I can’t help but cherish how that subtle nod resulted in the scene that graced the big screen. In a somewhat awkward, yet amusingly peculiar scenario, Flynn’s character Josh serenaded his boyfriend’s mother (portrayed by Edie Falco) with “Puppy Dog Eyes” when she enquired about his music career.
Apart from Kudrow taking on the role of Josh’s mother, Dean Norris portrays his father in Breaking Bad, while Brian Cox acts as his boyfriend’s father. Interestingly, Parker Posey is cast as a peculiar and suspicious caretaker of the house they reside in for the weekend.
You shouldn’t miss out on the movie, whether you’re a fan of humorous horror films or simply an admirer of Lisa Kudrow. Mark your calendars for March 13th to watch “The Parenting” exclusively with a Max subscription. This membership not only grants access to the upcoming film but also all 10 seasons of “Friends.” So, get ready to revisit “Smelly Cat” and other iconic moments from this beloved series.
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2025-03-12 11:37