LOS ANGELES — Documented cat lady Taylor Swift surprised a sold-out Staples Center crowd by bringing out Friends character Phoebe Buffay to perform “Smelly Cat.”
Lisa Kudrow resurrected the character and her trademark song with Swift during the last of five concerts in L.A., taking fans down memory lane straight to Central Perk.
“This singer has only ever played in coffee houses before,” Swift said, introducing the comedian in quite the clever way. “She never played in a big venue like this. Please make her feel welcome. You guys, her name is Phoebe Buffay.”
Phoebe — whose song is about a flatulence-prone cat — stopped the performance to jokingly dole out advice to Swift: “You have to really feel the lyrics, you know.”
So @taylorswift13 is THE best person I’ve ever met. That was fun. Thanks Taylor.
— Lisa Kudrow (@LisaKudrow) August 27, 2015
WTF! Taylor Swift brought out @lisakudrow a.k.a. Phoebe Buffay to sing “Smelly Cat.” #1989TourLA #Swifties pic.twitter.com/0I1ttenTtv
— Brian A. Hernandez (@BAHjournalist) August 27, 2015
Who doesn’t love a little “Smelly Cat”?!?! #1989TourLA #Friends @LisaKudrow @taylorswift13 pic.twitter.com/7m07TAomv6
— STAPLES Center (@STAPLESCenter) August 27, 2015
Swift, always one to infuse her 1989 World Tour stops with special guests, also sang “Mirrors” with role model Justin Timberlake and “Good For You” with bestie Selena Gomez. Timberlake performed for the first time since becoming a dad in April.
Unforgettable night thanks to that LA crowd….. And @jtimberlake. pic.twitter.com/ooB3FdUPw2
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) August 27, 2015
Justin Timberlake.
Mid-mic drop.
#1989TourLA
@jtimberlake pic.twitter.com/xLFLetDyJk
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) August 27, 2015
T.Swift’s 1st surprise guest is @SelenaGomez, performing “Good For You” for the 1st time live. #1989TourLA #Swifties pic.twitter.com/RRZyh2lNgO
— Brian A. Hernandez (@BAHjournalist) August 27, 2015
Several video montages during Wednesday’s concert talked about cats (one video ended with “No cats were harmed in the making of this tour, just one pop star”).
“She’s the patron saint of cats,” Lena Dunham proclaimed in one video.
BONUS: 5 facts about ‘Friends’ to mull over at Central Perk
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