Taylor and Phoebe’s Smelly Cat duet turned an ordinary day into a joyful one for fans
Celebrity collaborations and joint performances are by no means a recent phenomenon. They have been taking place for years, particularly during global arena tours where fans are delighted by unexpected guest appearances and unique songs; occasionally, rare moments like the one featuring Taylor Swift and Friends actress Lisa Kudrow occur.
On August 26th, 2015, at Los Angeles’ Staples Centre, during Taylor Swift’s sold-out 1989 World Tour, the crowd was unaware they were about to witness a highly unusual and spontaneous performance. Lisa Kudrow – famously known as Phoebe Buffay – returned to her character for a live acoustic version of the humorous Friends tune “Smelly Cat,” which you can watch in the video below:
Prior to Lisa Kudrow’s entrance, Taylor Swift teased the identity of her special guest. “This singer has only ever performed in coffee houses before,” she remarked. “She’s never played in a large venue like this, so we need to make her feel welcome.” When fans discovered it was one of Friends’ main stars, they erupted with excitement, especially upon learning they would witness an exclusive rendition of “Smelly Cat”.
“Smelly Cat” swiftly turned into a cult comedic anthem from the Friends series soon after the episode The One With The Baby On The Bus premiered. It was featured in numerous episodes starring Phoebe, becoming a significant element of her character’s persona. This recurring joke became a beloved favorite among fans and remains one of the most frequently referenced aspects of Friends today:
In their unanticipated duet at the Los Angeles Staples Centre, Lisa Kudrow and Taylor Swift both took up a guitar and started the Smelly Cat song together. When it was Taylor Swift’s turn to perform a solo verse, Kudrow quickly interrupted her, advising her to ‘feel the lyrics’. After some playful back-and-forth, the pair resumed the song, with the entire arena audience participating in the final verse.
Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour was an international success, with arenas worldwide sold out in honor of her fifth studio album, 1989. This album marked a significant departure from her country roots, showcasing her remarkable evolution as an artist over time. It also includes some of her most successful tracks, such as the pop anthem “Blank Space,” which soared to the top of global charts almost instantly after its release.
“Smelly Cat” has evolved into more than just a Friends-related cult comedy classic; it has been covered by numerous artists. Chris Isaak, James Michael Tyler, and even co-star Courtney Cox (who portrays Monica Geller) have paid homage to this quirky song about an overlooked cat with a foul odor. Additionally, in 2021, the Friends cast reunited for a special Reunion Special, where Lisa Kudrow performed “Smelly Cat” alongside the renowned American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga.
