Official ‘Friends’ YouTube Channel Posts Two Episodes of ‘Joey’ Spinoff Series

On Tuesday, the recognized “Friends” YouTube channel uploaded the initial two episodes of the spin-off show titled “Joey,” which revolves around Matt LeBlanc’s character, the quick-witted ladies’ man Joey Tribbiani.

For the first time since its initial release in 2004, “Joey” is now accessible. The show features Matt LeBlanc alongside Drea de Matteo, Paulo Costanzo, Jennifer Coolidge, and Andrea Anders. The plot revolves around Joey, who decides to relocate from New York to Hollywood to advance his acting career further. In the process, he reconnects with his high-strung sister Gina (played by de Matteo) and Michael (Costanzo), his brilliant 20-year-old nephew, as suggested in the official synopsis.

For two seasons spanning from 2004-2006, “Joey” aired a total of 46 episodes, with the series premiere attracting an astounding 18.6 million viewers. Developed by Shana Goldberg-Meehan and Scott Silveri, the viewer interest initially skyrocketed but started to wane rapidly after the first season, leading to a substantial drop in ratings for both seasons.

Initially, NBC planned to air “Joey” on Thursday evenings, following the timeslot previously occupied by “Friends.” However, in 2006, the show was shifted to Tuesday nights and eventually taken off the American airwaves altogether. A total of eight episodes were never broadcasted in the U.S., but they did premiere on various international television networks.

As a devoted fan of Friends, I can’t help but reflect on why the spin-off “Joey” didn’t resonate with audiences as expected. According to co-creator Kevin S. Bright, the transformation of Joey from a charming womanizer to a struggling guy unable to secure employment or ask girls out was the main reason for its lackluster performance. In an interview with The Age, he expressed his disappointment, stating that Joey’s character felt misguided and far removed from the solid friend we all knew and loved on Friends. Despite his concerns, it seems his voice wasn’t heard in the creative process.

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2025-03-13 03:46