All 8 Recently Unearthed Episodes of ‘Joey,’ Ranked

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After the popular show Friends ended in 2004, many fans were curious about what would happen to Joey Tribbiani – the funny, good-hearted actor known for his jokes and charming personality. NBC created the spin-off Joey to answer that question, following him to Los Angeles as he pursued acting opportunities, dealt with family issues involving his sister Gina, and tried to mature as a person.

Despite promising ingredients – a popular character, a new location, and potential for many stories – the show Joey didn’t quite live up to expectations. Reviews were mixed, fans weren’t overly enthusiastic, and viewership dropped over its two seasons. By 2006, the show was canceled, and eight finished episodes never aired in the United States.

For years, these episodes were a little-known piece of Friends history – discussed by fans online and listed in guides, but difficult to actually see. Recently, Warner Bros. surprised everyone by posting all eight “lost” episodes on the official Friends YouTube channel. After almost twenty years, they’re like a window into the past. While they aren’t polished, they’re interesting because they provide a satisfying conclusion to storylines and remind us just how popular Joey was – popular enough to get his own spin-off series.

With that in mind, here’s a ranking of all 8 newly unearthed episodes of the Friends spinoff, Joey.

8
“Joey and the Party for Alex” (S2E16)


NBC

In the episode “Joey and the Party for Alex,” Joey throws a 30th birthday party for Alex while her boyfriend, Dean, is out of town. He hopes the party will give him a chance to explore a romantic connection with her. However, his plan falls apart when Dean unexpectedly returns and announces he’s going to propose. Joey struggles to navigate his feelings and the existing relationship between Alex and Dean, trying to salvage the night. Meanwhile, Zach causes his usual party chaos, and Gina gets a tattoo, but the underlying tension between Alex and Joey remains the central focus.

Looking back, this episode really shows how much Joey has matured since his days as the easygoing flirt on Friends. While it’s still funny, the episode is powerful because it finally reveals Joey’s deeper feelings. Fans will enjoy this addition to the story, as it captures the character’s blend of humor and sadness that was central to the spin-off. The jokes about turning thirty feel more meaningful now, too.

7
“Joey and the Beard” (S2E18)


NBC

The episode “Joey and the Beard” starts with Joey and Michael finding Jimmy unexpectedly living in a burned-down house. Michael encourages Jimmy to move in with Gina. At the same time, Joey gets caught up with Edie, a well-known actress, who asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend for publicity. Joey doesn’t know what she means by “beard” and comically assumes she’s having trouble with dates. Bobbie tries to explain, but only adds to Joey’s confusion, resulting in a series of funny misunderstandings typical of the group.

The episode is fun because it uses Joey’s lovable naiveté in a clever way, without making him seem like a simple joke. The misunderstanding about the ‘beard’ is classic Joey – it’s his innocent nature bumping up against the strange world of Hollywood, and it still lands as genuinely funny because it feels true to his character. The story with Jimmy and Gina adds a heartwarming family element, reminding us of Joey’s life beyond acting. Looking back now, the humor is even more interesting because the idea of using someone as a ‘beard’ has taken on more meaning over time.

6
“Joey and the Holding Hands” (S2E21)


NBC

The latest episode, “Joey and the Holding Hands,” focuses on the intense connection between Joey and Alex – so much so that Joey struggles to contain his reaction! Encouraged by Gina to explore a real relationship, Joey realizes he wants more than just physical attraction. Elsewhere, Michael embarrasses himself trying to impress someone online, and Gina faces a surprise when Jimmy proposes, immediately followed by an unexpected appearance from Howard.

This episode stands out because it’s a rare moment where Joey genuinely confronts his struggles with emotional closeness, rather than just physical attraction. While Michael’s online behavior and Joey’s jokes provide some laughs, the real importance is that Joey finally admits he’s looking for a deeper connection. It’s both funny and touching for fans of Friends and Joey to watch.

5
“Joey and the Actor’s Studio” (S2E20)


NBC

In the episode “Joey and the Actor’s Studio,” Joey gets a chance to appear on the famous television show Inside the Actor’s Studio. He believes this will impress Alex and help him win her over. However, his hopes are dashed when Alex discovers that Joey has dated many women in the audience, making her question their relationship. Elsewhere, Jimmy is thinking about proposing to Gina, but worries about the cost. To save money for an engagement ring, both Joey and Jimmy volunteer for medical research studies.

This episode really highlights the two sides of Joey – his drive to succeed as an actor and the mistakes he’s made in the past. The show maintains its usual humor, with Joey’s cluelessness turning a potentially great career moment into a series of embarrassing situations. But beyond the laughs, we see Joey genuinely wanting to be taken seriously as an actor, a side of him that fans didn’t often see on Friends.

4
“Joey and the Dad” (S2E15)


NBC

The first of eight newly discovered episodes of Joey, titled “Joey and the Dad,” centers around Joey inviting his father, Joseph Tribbiani Sr., to his movie premiere. He hopes to share his accomplishment, but his dad isn’t impressed with his acting and leaves Joey feeling discouraged. To add to his troubles, Joey’s movie billboard is upstaged by one featuring Carmen Electra, making him feel jealous and insecure.

In retrospect, this episode stands out because it really explores Joey’s family life, something the show hadn’t focused on much before. Understanding his father’s distant behavior helps explain why Joey always seeks approval, both at work and in his relationships. It’s also compelling to see his sensitive side. Even after twenty years, the episode shows that the show Joey was attempting to give the character more complexity than just being the funny guy.

3
“Joey and the Big Move” (S2E17)


NBC

In the episode “Joey and the Big Move,” Joey is excited about moving into his perfect new house. However, his dream turns into a nightmare when he discovers it’s on fire, forcing him to stay with Michael’s friends. Things get awkward fast as Michael’s friends pepper Joey with personal questions, and Michael struggles with telling Jimmy he’s his father. Joey unintentionally reveals the truth, and Michael has to deal with the consequences.

This episode is memorable because it combines Joey’s tendency to say whatever’s on his mind with a major development in Michael’s storyline. The running joke about the house fire is classic Joey, but the emotional weight comes from Jimmy discovering he’s Michael’s father. The humor of Joey being questioned about his relationships feels true to his character on Friends, and the family drama balances out the episode’s more comedic moments.

2
“Joey and the Wedding” (S2E22)


NBC

The series concludes with “Joey and the Wedding,” an episode full of both happy moments and awkwardness. Jimmy’s announcement that he’s marrying Gina and his request for Joey to be his best man initially excites Joey, but he gets worried when Jimmy points out that women Alex’s age often want to get married soon. This complicates things for Joey, who’s already unsure about his feelings, especially when Alex reveals she doesn’t want to get married at all. Meanwhile, Michael comically competes with Joey for the best man role, and Gina’s wedding planning brings the whole family together in a lighthearted way.

The episode ends with Jimmy and Gina having second thoughts, and Joey torn between his family and his feelings for someone. The finale is enjoyable because it gives Joey’s story a satisfying and heartfelt conclusion. This version of Joey is different from the one in Friends, where his love life was mostly comedic. Here, we see him grappling with the difficulties of commitment and dealing with heartbreak. It feels like a defining moment for his character – he’s still funny and imperfect, but also more nuanced and relatable than viewers might recall.

1
“Joey and the Critic” (S2E19)


NBC

In “Joey and the Critic,” Joey is riding high after his movie’s success and decides he wants more control over his career. With Bobbie’s help, he lands a deal for three more films and starts his own production company, playfully called “Yes I’m A Bird Productions.” He soon discovers that being in charge isn’t easy, particularly when his new development executive has very different ideas. The situation becomes even more comical as Joey tries to balance his artistic goals with his preference for casting attractive actresses.

This episode features Joey pursuing a dream beyond acting – starting his own business. The humor is very much in line with what fans love about Joey, and his cluelessness as a businessman is hilarious. It’s fun to watch him try to create something on his own, even though it doesn’t always go smoothly. The running gag about his company’s name still lands well, and looking back after almost twenty years, the episode highlights how much untapped potential Joey’s character actually had.

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2025-12-01 01:20