Lisa Kudrow slams new sitcoms for avoiding uncomfortable jokes

Lisa Kudrow says sitcoms today lack daring, praising the surprise and edge of classics like ‘Friends’ and ‘Seinfeld’

Lisa Kudrow, best known for her Emmy-winning role as Phoebe Buffay on Friends, has voiced sharp criticism of modern sitcoms, claiming they are “too afraid” to make jokes that might make audiences uncomfortable. In a recent interview, Kudrow said she is not drawn to contemporary multi-camera comedies, which she feels shy away from bold humour.

Kudrow explained that while classics such as Seinfeld, 30 Rock and Friends thrived on clever, unexpected jokes, many new shows have become “tame” and predictable. “Comedy is about surprise,” she said. “You need things you didn’t see coming. The really good jokes are the ones where you think, ‘I can’t believe you just said that.’”

Kudrow’s comments underline a broader discussion about the evolution of television comedy in the streaming era. Single-camera sitcoms have become dominant, often focusing on character-driven humour rather than the punchy, live-audience-driven format of older multi-camera shows. Kudrow suggested that while some of these new programs are well-crafted, the absence of daring content limits the genre’s impact.

Reflecting on her own career, Kudrow noted that fans initially misunderstood Phoebe as a ditz, though she herself never interpreted the character that way. She described Phoebe as “someone who wasn’t toeing the line… but she wasn’t stupid,” emphasising that what audiences saw as eccentricity was actually a unique comedic voice that stood out in a formulaic era.

Having also starred in shows like The Comeback and Web Therapy, Kudrow has a history of tackling unconventional humour, making her critique of today’s cautious sitcoms particularly pointed. She argued that the willingness to challenge audiences is essential for the vitality of comedy, and that without it, television risks losing the boldness that made classics memorable.

Kudrow’s observations provide a reminder that while television has evolved technically, the heart of successful comedy remains its ability to surprise, challenge, and provoke genuine laughter.