> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Jen and Ben discuss being smitten, bitten - URL: https://www.smdp.com/jen-and-ben-discuss-being-smitten-bitten/ - Published: 2004-01-16T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T03:33:53.000Z - Author: Dan Dunn - Tags: Entertainment, Santa Monica, #archive-import There probably isn’t much I can tell you about Jennifer Aniston or Ben Stiller that you don’t already know. You’ve seen their movies. You’ve watched them on TV. You know Jen’s married to Brad Pitt and that her 10-year run on the wildly popular sitcom “Friends” is coming to an end this season. And you’re aware that Ben, with a resume that includes blockbusters such as “Meet The Parents” and “There’s Something About Mary,” is one of the biggest comedic stars in the world, and that he was mauled by a ferret on the set of “Along Came Polly” … or maybe you didn’t know about the ornery ferret. Ben and his lovely “Polly” co-star sat down recently to discuss — among other things — what happens when animals attack on movie sets, the strain of shooting love scenes, and the end of the line for one of the most beloved television shows of all-time. Question: You may not be aware of this, Jennifer, but you are featured in the current issue of “Ferrets” magazine. Jennifer Aniston: I didn’t know there was a “Ferrets” magazine. That’s very exciting. You know, I feel bad for the ferret because I wasn’t a big fan of the ferret, actually. It’s not the warmest and cuddliest animal. Ben Stiller: I don’t feel bad for the ferret. JA: It bit you, that’s why. Wait, Ben, you were bitten by the ferret? BS: I was holding him up, and he did this crazy turnaround thing and attached himself to my chin. And then he didn’t let go, and was just holding on to my chin. It was this surreal thing, because then I had to go and get a rabies shot. Any idea why the ferret attacked? Was he angry that you had a bigger trailer than he did or something? BS: I didn’t provoke him at all. They’re just rat-like creatures, let’s face it. JA: With all due respect to ferret lovers, at the end of the day they’re just big rats. Weasels, actually. BS: Weasels! Great. Actors, especially ones who are married, often claim that love scenes are difficult to shoot. Is it even more problematic doing one in a screwball comedy such as this? JA: It’s nerve-wracking. There’s just no way around it — it’s awkward. There’s nothing sexy about it. But we had fun. We’re really proud of ourselves for making it through that day. BS: In this scene in particular, it is a comedic scene, which made it a little easier. But I’ve been involved in scenes that aren’t like that, and it’s a whole different vibe going on. What was the best part of working with each other on “Along Came Polly?” JA: With Ben, it’s always real. There’s never a moment when you feel he’s playing comedy. That’s what I hate about a lot of comedies, is that you can sense they’re hit-ting a line, or (trying to) make it funny. Ben just pulls it right out from the truth, and it’s brilliant. BS: Jennifer really does have such impeccable timing as a comedic actress. And I don’t think it’s a premeditated thing, it’s just in her bones. She has a real gift. Jennifer, how are you feeling now that “Friends” is almost over? JA: We have three shows left (to shoot), and we’re just a bunch of raw nerves over there. Nobody really knows what to do. We’re just kind of beside ourselves. It’s hard because it’s been 10 years with this incredible group of people, and it’s weird because it’s ending, even though it doesn’t really feel like it needs to. But it does … *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 16, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/011604.pdf?ref=smdp.com)