Lisa Kudrow says Today's Comedies Lack Jokes that Make Viewers "Uncomfortable"

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Lisa Kudrow Says New Sitcoms are "Too Afraid" to Make Jokes That Make People "Uncomfortable"
by Jack Dunn
April 4, 2026


Lisa Kudrow said during a recent Interview Magazine profile that she’s “not drawn” to new multi-camera sitcoms. The “Friends” and “The Comeback” actress thinks it’s because new shows are “too afraid” to make jokes that make audiences “uncomfortable.”

When asked if the sitcom genre is evolving or dying, Kurdrow said, “I wish they were evolving. ‘30 Rock’ and ‘Seinfeld’ and ‘Friends’ were really funny and really well written. But I’m not drawn to new sitcoms that are multi-camera in front of an audience because I’m not buying it. I don’t know if that’s just because I’ve seen too many single-camera sitcoms—I think we need to get back to being able to tell jokes. I feel like we’ve been too afraid to make jokes that might make people uncomfortable.”

She added, “But the really good ones, they’re not tame jokes. They’re jokes that are kind of, ‘I can’t believe you just said that.’ Comedy is about surprise. You need things you didn’t see coming.”

https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/lis...ds-1236708803/