Lady Gaga and Lisa Kudrow Duet ‘Smelly Cat’ for ‘Friends: The Reunion’
Often cited as the “greatest TV show of all time,” lovers and hardcore fans of Friends were gifted a reunion which featured Lady Gaga on HBO Max on May 27. All six original cast members returned for Friends: The Reunion while also bringing back fan-favorite moments during the series’ 10-year run.
The reunion featured a very special performance of “Smelly Cat,” arguably the most popular song in television history. The song had been performed by Phoebe Buffay, Lisa Kudrow’s eccentric character. “Smelly Cat” had been performed by Kudrow’s character on the sixth episode of season 2, “The One with the Baby on the Bus” in 1995. During the episode, Phoeobe teaches Stephanie Schiffer, (played by Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde) the hit song.
Over two and half decades later, the Friends reunion featured another famous face in the music industry: Lady Gaga. Gaga came to the reimagined Central Perk wearing a Phoebe outfit, donning blonde hair and famous messy hair. Gaga opens the door with her guitar draped over her clothes asking Kudrow, “Do you need some help?” As Gaga takes a seat on the couch, she tells Kudrow that “Smelly Cat is one of her favorite songs.” From there, the duo begins their duet performance.
Lady Gaga: I’m here to debut my new single…
— Joe Holmes (@joeholmeswriter) May 27, 2021
It’s called… Smelly Cat#FriendsReunion pic.twitter.com/4m2wPqkNz5
In true Gaga fashion, the reimagined take on “Smelly Cat” shows the singer belt out the lyrics. Kudrow praises the first half, and by the middle of the song, the two make for an excellent pairing. The acoustic performance showcases their voices in a beautiful way. By the song’s end, Gaga and Kudrow are backed by a choir, ending the song on yet another iconic note.
Lady Gaga performing “Smelly Cat” with Lisa Kudrow on the #Friends Reunion! pic.twitter.com/GYSYWucQTN
— Gaga Media ▽🦄 (@GagaMediaDotNet) May 27, 2021
Fans took to social media to share their thoughts on a Gaga x Kudrow collaboration.
Good morning! Lady Gaga singing Smelly Cat is the duet I never knew I needed. 😻#FriendsReunion pic.twitter.com/VF4NoMOVVJ
— Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt) May 27, 2021
Mood: I’m just gonna watch @ladygaga and @LisaKudrow singing “Smelly Cat” on repeat all day and not care about what anyone thinks. #FriendsReunion #Friends @hbomax pic.twitter.com/66y4y0Hs3p
— 🦄 (@mummummummah) May 27, 2021
Friends: The Reunion has long been overdue. After a 10-year run and 236 episodes later, fans were able to say goodbye to their beloved friends one last time. Be sure to watch the reunion on HBO Max. The duet of “Smelly Cat” can be viewed below.
Writer | Tweet me @court__giles
