Lisa Kudrow’s Phoebe Buffay delivered many memorable lines on Friends, but one stood out by inspiring the show’s most celebrated episode. Since its debut in 1994, Friends quickly became one of the greatest sitcoms ever, with 236 episodes to enjoy. Its popularity surged again when it was added to streaming platforms years later. Among the colorful cast, Phoebe was undoubtedly the quirkiest and most unpredictable.
Over the course of 10 seasons, Phoebe kept viewers laughing with her eccentric personality and hilarious quips. Yet, one particular line—surprisingly delivered by Matthew Perry—remained unforgettable. This funniest Phoebe line wasn’t just a standout moment; it helped create what many fans regard as Friends’ best episode.
Lisa Kudrow Borrowed “My Eyes, My Eyes” From Matthew Perry — And He Was Totally Fine With It
In a 2020 Friends reunion interview with Jennifer Aniston (via Variety), Lisa Kudrow revealed the story behind Phoebe’s famous “My eyes!” line. In the episode “The One Where Everybody Finds Out,” Phoebe hilariously reacts after discovering Monica and Chandler’s secret relationship. Kudrow drew inspiration from her co-star Matthew Perry, who played Chandler, especially his distinctive way of emphasizing certain words.
Kudrow tried the line during rehearsal, and it worked perfectly. She made sure to ask Perry’s permission before filming the episode, unsure how he’d respond. Thankfully, Perry was supportive and gave his blessing. Aniston added that Perry insisted they ask before borrowing Chandler’s unique speech style, so it was a relief when he approved. The result? One of Phoebe Buffay’s most memorable quotes on Friends.
Phoebe’s “My Eyes” Became the Most Iconic Moment in Friends’ Funniest Episode
“The One Where Everybody Finds Out” Remains a Classic and Hilarious Installment. Some of Friends’ best episodes are unforgettable thanks to standout lines, and “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” is widely regarded as the series’ greatest. Lisa Kudrow delivered the episode’s most iconic moment with Phoebe’s hilarious reaction to spotting Monica and Chandler’s secret romance. The only words she could shout were their names and the now-famous “My eyes!”
Phoebe squeezed her eyes shut so tightly it almost seemed like her vision was genuinely affected. While every character’s reaction to the revelation was memorable, Phoebe’s stole the show. Ross’s response was more dramatic, influenced by his work troubles, but Phoebe’s was pure comedy gold. Despite being a storyline-heavy episode—unusual for a sitcom’s highest-rated show—it clearly resonated deeply with fans.
The Story Behind “My Eyes” Makes The One Where Everybody Finds Out Even More Special
Kudrow and Perry’s Friendship Added Extra Magic to This Classic Friends Episode. In a 2014 AMA, Lisa Kudrow described Matthew Perry as the funniest actor she’d ever worked with off-camera (via Reddit). Her warm words make the fact that she drew inspiration from him for “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” even more meaningful. Since Perry’s passing in 2023, fans and cast alike have mourned his loss, and Kudrow’s comments to Variety about the “My eyes!” line reveal the depth of their bond both on and off set.
It’s touching to see how much Kudrow cared about her role as Phoebe Buffay, feeling confident enough to borrow Perry’s unique mannerisms for comedic effect. Choosing that moment to deliver the line perfectly honored both Perry and his character Chandler, placing Phoebe at the heart of one of Friends’ most memorable episodes.
