I first fell in love with Lisa Kudrow while watching Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. I had never encountered someone so enjoyably silly. It wasn’t long after that I discovered the joys of Friends and Phoebe’s similar eccentric silliness. Now that The Comeback has returned nine years after its first season, I’m reminded of that love. I couldn’t decide which of her characters is my favorite though: Valerie or Phoebe?
Both ladies are respected for their dance moves.
Winner: Valerie. Phoebe’s dance moves come off a little frightening, especially compared to the pure joy that radiates from Valerie while she dances the night away.
Both ladies have a flare for musical performances.
Winner: Phoebe. As much as we love watching Valerie cover Gloria Gaynor, we have to give props to the Central Park songstress for her ability to come up with creative songs that often made us cringe. She was able to develop rhymes for all of the names of her Friends, cover The Police in ways to persuade Ross, and even sang of darker things, like the death of grandparents and her mother’s suicide. Val couldn’t even sing without reading the lyrics.
Both understand the importance of physical fitness:
Winner: Phoebe. She actually exercises, and manages to have fun doing it, which we thought was impossible. Our approach to exercise is closer to Val’s, which we suspect isn’t doing much for our physical well-being.
Both ladies know how to get what they want from men.
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Winner: Valerie. Phoebe may have Mike, but Valerie has Mark. Valerie also has Paulie G somehow creepily in love with her, which we can’t decide if it’s a good or bad thing, but it’s getting her jobs, which is really all she wants anyway.
Both ladies have somewhat awkward approaches to sex.
Winner: We don’t think anybody wins in this situation; we’re just glad to have witnessed both of those moments.
Neither is afraid of using a little profanity when it’s called for.
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Winner: Phoebe. Valerie always seems a bit uncomfortable when she has to use foul language, yet Phoebe’s Pac-Man-inspired outburst has such a beautiful quality to it; it’s like watching a symphony conducted.
Neither lady is the greatest actress (sorry, Val).
Winner: Valerie. It’s kind of a no contest, she has a People’s Choice Award, after all. Phoebe’s stint on Days of Our Lives (“DOOL,” for those in the know) doesn’t hold a candle to Valerie’s career: I’m IT, Room and Bored, and now Seeing Red? It’s a wonder she only has one PCA!
Most importantly, neither is afraid of looking a little silly.
Overall winner: anyone who has gotten to watch Lisa Kudrow’s hilarious antics for the past 20 years.
