Fail Again: Failure, Freedom, and ‘Friends’ with Maggie Wheeler

Fail Again: Failure, Freedom, and ‘Friends’ with Maggie Wheeler

From Fail Better with David Duchovny by Lemonada Media

March 3, 2026 · 1h 8m

About this episode

David Duchovny discusses friendship and the challenges faced by Maggie Wheeler during her career.

This episode originally aired February 11, 2025 While Maggie Wheeler is known by millions as the iconic Janice on ‘Friends’, she has been my real-life friend for even longer. Back in the late 80s, we made our film debuts together, playing former lovers, which is a distinction we shared in real life, even at that time. And we’ve stayed close even as our lives and careers went off in the various ways lives and careers go. She and I talk about things that I knew she went through, and things I didn’t know until now. The mistreatment that Maggie experienced behind the scenes, and sometimes out in the open, still shocks me, and it reinforces the fortitude, creativity, and generous spirit that Maggie has always had. It’s my deep pleasure to be able to share my experience of who Maggie is with you all. Follow me on Instagram at @davidduchovny. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to…

People in this episode

Host: David Duchovny

Guest: Maggie Wheeler

Topics covered

  • failure
  • friendship
  • behind the scenes
  • creativity
  • fortitude

Keywords

  • Maggie Wheeler
  • David Duchovny
  • Friends
  • failure
  • creativity
  • fortitude

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Friends

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