See Taylor Swift and Lisa Kudrow’s Unexpected Rendition of Friends’ “Smelly Cat”
Celebrity crossovers and joint performances are nothing new. They’ve been happening for years, particularly during arena tours where audiences are often surprised with guest appearances and special songs. A prime example of this is the one-off performance between Taylor Swift and Friends star Lisa Kudrow.
At Los Angeles’ Staples Center on August 26th, 2015, during Taylor Swift’s sold-out 1989 World Tour, the audience had no idea they were in for a rare and unexpected treat. Lisa Kudrow, best known as Phoebe Buffay, reprised her iconic role for a live acoustic rendition of the comedic Friends song “Smelly Cat,” which you can view in the video below:
Before Lisa Kudrow took the stage, Taylor Swift hinted at the special guest’s identity. “This singer, she’s only ever played in coffee houses before,” Taylor teased. “She’s never played in a big venue like this, so we’ve got to please make her feel welcome.” When fans realized it was one of Friends’ biggest stars, they went wild, even more so when they learned they were getting an exclusive performance of “Smelly Cat.”
“Smelly Cat” quickly became a cult comedy song from the Friends TV show shortly after the episode “The One With The Baby On The Bus” aired. It recurred throughout multiple episodes featuring Phoebe and became a large part of her character’s personality. This running gag became a fan favorite and remains one of the most referred-to aspects of Friends to this day:
During their unexpected duet at the Los Angeles Staples Center, Lisa Kudrow and Taylor Swift shared a guitar and began the “Smelly Cat” song together. When it was Taylor’s turn to sing a verse solo, Kudrow promptly interrupted her to correct her, humorously insisting that she needed to ‘feel the lyrics.’ After some playful back-and-forth, the duo kicked off the song again, with the entire arena joining in for one last verse.
Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour was a global success, with sold-out arenas worldwide celebrating her fifth studio album, 1989. This album marked a significant departure from her country origins and showcased her growth as an artist. It features some of her most successful songs to date, including the pop anthem “Blank Space,” which quickly soared to the top of global charts after its release.
“Smelly Cat” has become a cult comedy classic not just among Friends fans but also among a broad audience. It has been covered by numerous artists, including Chris Isaak, James Michael Tyler, and even co-star Courtney Cox (who plays Monica Geller). In 2021, the Friends cast reunited for a special one-off Reunion Special, where Lisa Kudrow performed “Smelly Cat” with the iconic American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga.
