Lisa Kudrow’s biting impersonation of Karoline Leavitt at a Los Angeles gala, where she mocked her with the now-viral line “That was a stupid question!”, has exploded online with millions of views, sparking both praise for its fearless brilliance and backlash for its harshness—turning a comedy routine into a cultural flashpoint.

 

Friends' Star Lisa Kudrow Goes Viral for Spot-On Karoline Leavitt Impression

 

It was supposed to be another lighthearted night of comedy, but instead, Lisa Kudrow set the internet ablaze with a performance that critics are already calling one of the sharpest political impersonations in recent memory.

On stage during a charity gala in Los Angeles this past weekend, the Emmy-winning actress—best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay in Friends—launched into a satirical routine that targeted conservative political spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.

What followed was a moment that instantly went viral, igniting laughter, applause, outrage, and fierce debate across social media.

That was a stupid question!” Kudrow barked into the microphone, mimicking Leavitt’s tone with biting precision.

The crowd erupted, not just at the comedic delivery but at the sheer bluntness of the impression.

According to attendees, Kudrow spent nearly five minutes skewering Leavitt’s media appearances, body language, and notorious quick temper when fielding tough questions.

What made the routine sting even more was Kudrow’s refusal to soften the edges—her satire carried the bite of raw truth, delivered with a smile.

 

Friends' Star Lisa Kudrow Goes Viral for Spot-On Karoline Leavitt Impression

 

The event, held at the Dolby Theatre on Saturday night, drew a mix of Hollywood celebrities, journalists, and political figures.

Sources inside the room say Kudrow had the audience “in stitches one moment and dead silent the next,” as she pushed the boundary between parody and direct criticism.

“It wasn’t just funny—it was fearless,” said one attendee, noting that Kudrow’s boldness stood out in an era where many performers carefully avoid overt political statements.

The video of the performance, filmed on a smartphone by an audience member and uploaded to TikTok just hours later, quickly spread across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

Within 24 hours, it had amassed over 15 million views.

Users praised Kudrow’s “brilliant timing” and “courage to say what everyone’s thinking,” while others accused her of being unnecessarily cruel.

The impersonation has divided audiences in exactly the way sharp satire often does.

 

Lisa Kudrow's Hilarious Parody Has Fans Yelling, “It's Totally Karoline  Leavitt!” - NewsBreak

 

Leavitt herself has not yet officially commented on the performance, but her allies within conservative media circles have blasted Kudrow’s remarks as “out-of-touch Hollywood mockery.

” Several opinion hosts framed the routine as another example of “liberal elites punching down,” while others admitted—begrudgingly—that the impression was scarily accurate.

“Kudrow captured Karoline’s cadence perfectly.

It was uncanny,” one media critic wrote.

For Kudrow, who has largely kept her political views private throughout her career, the moment marks a rare foray into overt political comedy.

While she has dabbled in stand-up and improv since the end of Friends, she has not been a fixture in the political satire world the way her peers like Tina Fey or Julia Louis-Dreyfus have.

This performance, however, may change that perception.

Industry insiders are already speculating whether Kudrow might return to television with a sharper, more politically charged role.

Meanwhile, the internet is treating the clip as a cultural flashpoint.

Friends star Lisa Kudrow goes viral over Karoline Leavitt impression

 

Comment sections are flooded with debates not just about the quality of the impersonation, but about what it reveals regarding the intersection of comedy, politics, and free speech.

Some users argue that comedians should be free to say whatever they want, especially when lampooning public figures, while others question whether Kudrow crossed the line by calling Leavitt’s intelligence into question so directly.

Still, what remains undeniable is the cultural impact of the moment.

Comedy historians are already comparing it to other viral impressions that shifted conversations in the past, such as Tina Fey’s legendary Sarah Palin impersonation on Saturday Night Live.

 

Friends' Star Lisa Kudrow Goes Viral for Spot-On Karoline Leavitt Impression

 

While Kudrow’s performance was not part of a scripted show but rather an unscripted gala moment, its reach has been just as explosive—if not more so.

As the video continues to circulate, one question lingers: was this a one-off spark of spontaneity, or the beginning of a new chapter in Lisa Kudrow’s career? Either way, her delivery of “That was a stupid question!” has cemented itself as one of the most quoted—and debated—lines of the year.

What started as a five-minute comedy routine in a packed theater has now spiraled into a national conversation about truth, satire, and the power of laughter.

And whether you laughed, cringed, or felt offended, one thing is clear: Lisa Kudrow’s impression of Karoline Leavitt will be remembered long after the applause fades.