Summary
Lisa Kudrow reveals the unpleasant truth behindFriends' now-iconic opening title sequence’s filming, explaining how Matthew Perry rescued the shoot. The beloved sitcom following six friends in New York sawKudrow star as Phoebe Buffay, an aspiring musician and former roommate to Monica (Courteney Cox).Friends' title sequence is instantly recognizable, with a sequence of the six central characters hanging out on a couch by a fountain intercut with clips from the show set to the Remembrants' “I’ll Be There For You.”
When appearing on Conan O’Brien’sConan O’Brien Needs A Friendpodcast, Kudrow recounted the uncomfortable experience of filmingFriends' title sequence. With a cold night shoot involving water, the cast was left miserable, untilPerry responded to directions with the humor that Chandler would become known foras the series progressed. Check out Kudrow’s recollection below:
Honest to God, shooting those titles in the fountain was a nightmare. Y’know, I don’t like discomfort, at all. Mild, any kind, I don’t like it. And that fountain was cold. And it was very late at night, we’d done I think 500 takes of dancing- Unmotivated dancing is hard too, right? It’s just- It’s hard. And then the “Hey! What if you play with that scarf?” Y’know, stuff, and you just get “No! I don’t wanna! It’s not funny!“I was a real joy!
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.
Friends' Title Sequence Is Essentially For The Show’s Legacy
Thoughtful Creative Decisions & Parodies Helped The Sequence Endure
The tone is inclusive and optimistic, making a viewer feel part of the group and capturing the close relationships between the cast.
While filming was almost a completely chaotic experience,Friends' opening titles sequencehas stood the test of time and isjust as important to the series' appeal as any of its characters. Alongside footage of the cast having fun in the fountain at the Warner Bros. backlot, the Remembrants' lyrics discussing an enduring bond through hardships and trouble instantly create a welcoming atmosphere for viewers. The tone is inclusive and optimistic, making a viewer feel part of the group and capturing the close relationships between the cast.
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With its incredible recognizability, theFriendstitle sequence has also been the subject of various parodies and tributes made by not only fans and personalities online, but some of the most recognizable stars and companies across the globe. This ranges fromAnimaniacs' “We Won’t Ever Leave” parody and Jay-Z’sMoonlightmusic video recreating the sequence to the numerous fan parodies where theAvengers,BojackHorseman, andLordoftheRing’scast have been incorporated into the sequence’s structure. As such, the reach of the sequence has spread far beyond the original show.
Though filming may have been difficult, the endurance of Kudrow and the cast andPerry’s upbeat, lighthearted quips helpedFriendscreate a standout title sequencethat remains iconic to this day. With the cold, late-night shoot involving water that added to the discomfort, it would not be hard to imagine the sequence being heavily reworked should spirits have lowered. Yet, with the cast being there for one another,Friendswas able to craft a piece of television that embodies the heart of the show.
Matthew Perry’s Passing Makes The Intro Story Hit Even Harder
His Legacy Is Now Further Intertwined With Friends
Perry’s legacy goes beyond his portrayal of Chandler, as his real-life sense of humor helped the cast endure an arduous shoot that culminated in the show’s iconic intro sequence.
As Kudrow shared while speaking with O’Brien on his podcast, she began re-watchingFriendsafter the passing of her beloved co-star.Perry passed away on July 23, 2025, at the age of 54 years old. Perry’s legacy as an individual and as an actor is forever intertwined with his performance as Chandler in the long-running sitcom and the many memorable sarcastic remarks he delivered throughout the series' ten seasons.
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Kudrow’s story proves thatPerry’s legacy goes beyond his portrayal of Chandler, as his real-life sense of humor helped the cast endure an arduous shoot that culminated in the show’s iconic intro sequence. Every time an episode is watched by Kudrow, her fellow cast members, and now everyone who hears this story, they can think of Perry, and how he aided his peers and unknowingly contributed to one of television’s most comforting and instantly recognizable intros. It is a testament to Perry and the impact that a handful of words can have on others.
Kudrow’s comments about Chandler not yet being written with his trademark humor make it all the more fitting that Perry ultimately got to channel the character’s delightful sarcasm. Chandler is arguablyFriends' best character, an ideamade even better with behind-the-scenes tidbits of him being a genuine Chandler. TheFriends' intro sequence has now become even more impactful and adds another layer to all future re-watches of the sitcom.
Friends
Cast
Friends is a television sitcom that debuted in 1994, revolving around six young New Yorkers navigating the complexities of adulthood. The series highlights their friendship as they support each other through personal and professional challenges, encapsulating the ups and downs of life in a comedic and relatable manner.
