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Lisa Kudrow speaks out on 'Bandslam' rock and a 'Friends' reunion
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Lisa Kudrow
It may be just a coincidence, but two of Lisa Kudrow’s movies released in 2009 have a connection to struggling rock bands and teenagers. In "Hotel for Dogs," she plays a self-absorbed foster mother who takes in two orphaned teen siblings and is a wannabe rock star in a band with her husband. In "Bandslam," Kudrow plays a supportive single mom named Karen Burton, whose teenage misfit son Will (played by Gaelan Connell) is managing a rock band from his New Jersey high school that practices in the Burtons’ garage.
The band — called I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On — has entered a local contest called Bandslam, in which the winner gets a record deal, so the pressure is on for Will and the group to win. Popular student Charlotte Banks (played by Aly Michalka) is the lead singer of the group, and her demanding ways irritate Will’s other close friend, an artistic loner named Sa5m (played by Vanessa Hudgens), who may be interested in dating Will.
Of course, music plays a big part in the character that is still Kudrow’s most famous: ditzy musician Phoebe Buffay in the sitcom "Friends," which garnered Kudrow an Emmy Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. At the "Bandslam" press junket in New York City, I sat down with the hilarious Kudrow, who opened up about what she’d do if her real-life son wanted to be in a garage band, why her family priorities affect the acting roles that she’s been taking, and what she thinks about doing a "Friends" reunion.
Did being in a music-oriented movie about garage bands change your taste in music at all?
No, not at all. I like music. I feel like I’m sort of musical, even though I haven’t mastered an instrument or anything. Music, I don’t feel like it defines me that much. It’s very personal, so it’s nothing that I share with people.
What was your take on working with so many young people in "Bandslam"?
Most of my stuff was with Gaelan and Aly. Aly has done a fair amount of [movies] as well, but just like Gaelan, they’re both eager to do the work and do it well. They’re both more confident than I ever was at their age. They’re not just interested in pleasing; they also want to do it well and right. They’re willing to ask questions of the director. I was so impressed. Everyone is so much smarter than I was at their age.
You also had to kiss the much-younger Ryan Donowho, who plays the drummer in Will’s band. What was that like?
It was a couple of takes. He was a good sport. I couldn’t complain.
Lisa Kudrow in "Bandslam"
You had to wear "groupie" type clothes in the movie. Was there any discussion about how low-cut it would be?
It was lower, and they realized, "Nah." It’s Walden [Media, which is known for family entertainment].
How did you get involved in "Bandslam"?
I was sent the script to read, and I thought it was great. I really respond to stories that are told well, characters that are layered. I just really liked it. I thought it would be a fun thing to do.
How did your 11-year-old son react to you doing a movie with Vanessa Hudgens and Aly Michalka?
He didn’t know. He’s never seen "High School Musical." Not that I kept it from him; it’s just not part of his crowd. I think he sort of knew [who] Aly & AJ are. Now he’s excited.
Lisa Kudrow and Gaelan Connell in "Bandslam"
What if your son wanted to become a musician? And if he did, would you let his band practice in your garage?
Oh my God! Of course I’d need to do a little research to see if it’s different than it was. It seems to be different. Like these people ["Bandslam" characters] don’t seem to be consumed with misconduct surrounding their music … It feels like it’s possible to express yourself musically and not end up dead. So maybe it would be OK.
Can you talk about your movie "Love and Other Impossible Pursuits," written and directed by Don Roos, whom you’ve worked with before on multiple projects? Why do you like working with him?
It’s a supporting role … I think he’s one of the best writers that there is. Period. I honestly do. The way he crafts the story, it’s so complicated and layered and yet it’s accessible. And the characters are ridiculously complicated and unlikable, and somehow he makes them redeemable. That’s a great challenge.
Don Roos, Lisa Kudrow and Steve Coogan on the set of "Happy Endings"
Do you go to Don and ask for roles in his movies?
I have way too much pride to do that. I’m actually getting too old for his movies, so this might be the last one. He’s interested in young people’s problems. We still work together, because Dan Bucatinsky, who’s his writing partner, has been my partner for five years, and now Don’s joined us. So we produce things, and Don’s part of it. We have a Web series ["Web Therapy"] that Don and I wrote the outline for, and he directs and produces. So there are some things we do for fun.
Do you tend to choose supporting roles these days because it doesn’t take as much time as lead roles and you get to spend more time with your family?
Yeah, absolutely. It’s a part-time job that’s easy. I like acting. I like performing, but there are certain realities about how much your child needs you around.
Is that why you haven’t jumped back into doing a TV series again?
Yeah, that would be tough. I have seen some scripts that are really good for TV. And when I try to weigh against how much work it’s going to be and how much I won’t be at home … Do I see myself with flying furniture across the room for work? And then I know I shouldn’t do it.
Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow
What did you think about your TV series "The Comeback" being canceled after just one season? And would you consider reprising the role with writer/director Michael Patrick King if you had the chance?
Yeah, I was disappointed. He’s busy with "Sex and the City," but when he’s done with that, there might be something for us to do.
How much room did you have to improvise in "Bandslam"?
It was scripted, but there were moments when I pitched something for a scene. I don’t know what was used and what wasn’t. I’ve seen ["Bandslam"], but I forget. And because it’s scripted, I don’t keep score of what’s my line.
In a lot of your scenes, it seems like they could’ve been improvised.
There’s a trick to that: It’s not knowing your lines. As you remember them as you’re saying it, it might be slow, but it leaves the element of surprise. No, I’m kind of exaggerating.
Lisa Kudrow in "Bandslam"
How much of the music in "Bandslam" were you familiar with before you did the movie?
I knew about Velvet Underground and David Bowie. I didn’t get to meet him. Isn’t that tragic? Cheap Trick, I knew. And the Bread song ["Everything I Own"] …
How was it filming the scene at the end of the movie where the band performs the rocked-out cover version of "Everything I Own"?
I wasn’t there for the four days [it took to film the scene], because that would’ve been mean to me.
It looked like people were having fun, even though most of them were paid extras.
[She says jokingly] No one is paid that much! They were really great, especially Scott Porter. He performed as one of the [rival band] Glory Gods, and he would get up there, and he would talk to [the crowd] and perform for them and do beat-box stuff. He is unbelievable! I saw him do a little, but I heard every day, he was trying to get their energy up. That guy is like a superhero in person.
The stars of "Friends," pictured from left to right: Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer
Are there any rumors about "Friends" that you want to clear up right now?
There are tons of rumors and none of them are true.
Would you want to do a "Friends" reunion if the right script came along?
It would be beyond a script. I can’t even imagine what that would look like.
Would you want to do a "Friends" reunion as a big-screen movie, like "Sex and the City" did?
If it was as good as "Sex and the City," but "Sex and the City" was already … like a little film every week on HBO with no commercial interruptions. The pacing is completely different [from "Friends"]. I can’t imagine how that [a "Friends" reunion on the big screen] would work. It’s like a completely different thing to me.
They did "The Brady Bunch" [on the big screen], but it turned out to be a satire. Unless it’s going to be 20 years later with different people, and they’re all pretending and imitating … Do you know what I mean? That’s the only way I see it working.
The stars of "Friends," pictured clockwise from far left: Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow and Courteney Cox
What’s next for you?
There’s a few movies I’ve been in with most of these people [I’ve worked with before]. I think that’s my new crowd. Emma Stone, I was with her in "Paper Man," starring Ryan Reynolds. He’s great! And Jeff Daniels is not bad either. I was just in another movie ["Easy A"] with Emma Stone and Aly [Michalka] and Amanda Bynes.
What do you think people will take away from seeing "Bandslam"?
It’s possible to see a movie that’s just good again. It’s not for any one age group. That was the big surprise when I saw it. I was like, "Oh, this is probably for the Disney crowd." No, not at all. There were jaded people in the audience — you know, critics, agents, publicists — who were up on their feet at the end of the movie. It’s just a good time. It’s just a really great movie. It’s just really well-done.
What did you think of the David Bowie cameo in "Bandslam"?
Thrilling! It was thrilling that David Bowie was there … I was up on my feet clapping for getting us in the film. [She says jokingly] They cut to me on my feet clapping … Imagine me, endorsing the movie!
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