Lisa Kudrow Jokes About Friends Audition At Las Culturistas

Friends star Lisa Kudrow received a Lifetime of Culture award at the tongue-in-cheek Las Culturistas Culture Awards 20626.

Hosted by Wicked actor Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers of the Las Culturistas podcast, Lisa’s acceptance speech began after a rendition of her Friends character’s iconic song, Smelly Cat, by Pitch Perfect star Ben Platt.

(In 2025, the Dear Evan Hansen actor delivered an orchestra-backed version of Addison Rae’s Diet Pepsi at the event).

Following the performance, Kudrow accepted her award, saying: “Thank you so much. Winning this Lifetime Culture award is everything to me.

“I know what got me here tonight. It’s a career of meticulous planning to impress Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang,” she joked.

“There’s no time for all the details, but Romy and Michelle – I knew that what… I was doing as going to be enough for them. Slam-dunk.”

Lisa co-starred in the 1997 cult movie.

She continued, “It goes way back, too. When I auditioned for Friends in 1994, I thought, ’This is the show I should do. ‘Cos you know who’s going to love it? Four-year-old Matt and not-yet-born Bowen!’”

“All culminating in – not a coincidence – the third season of The Comeback. I knew Matt and Bowen would have to give me this award this year. So, thank you, gentleman, for playing right into my hands. And a bigger thanks to me, Lisa, for having my priorities straight.”

The award Lisa won was handed to her by her The Comeback co-star Malin Akerman.

Other winners of the night included Desperate Housewives actor Eva Longoria for Tiny Woman, Huge Impact award, Love Island USA’s Olandria for the Yess!! Award For Girl We Learned About This Year (And Loved), and Wanda Sykes for Eternal Lesbian Of The Pop Culture Mind.