Why Matt LeBlanc’s ‘Episodes’ Is What ‘Joey’ Should Have Been

by

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I’ve always admired Matt LeBlanc for his iconic role in “Friends,” but let me tell you about another TV show of his that truly captured what the “Joey” spinoff should have been – “Episodes.”

You see, “Friends,” an undisputed gem among sitcoms, aired from 1994 to 2004 and featured LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, a lovable yet intellectually challenged actor residing in the bustling city of New York. He was a beloved character on “Friends,” but unfortunately, his spinoff didn’t strike a chord with viewers. However, “Episodes” presented a more realistic and engaging portrayal of LeBlanc’s post-“Friends” career.

Since the conclusion of “Friends”, the show’s cast members have appeared in numerous films and TV series. For instance, Courteney Cox starred in “Cougar Town”, while Jennifer Aniston established a significant presence in romantic comedies. Matt LeBlanc faced difficulties finding success after “Friends” and the “Joey” spinoff didn’t aid this. However, an unconventional sitcom entered the scene, transforming Matt LeBlanc’s life and career permanently.

Episodes Was The Right Show For Matt LeBlanc After His Friends Success

LeBlanc’s Role In Episodes Allowed Him To Break Out Of The Friends Box

At first, it felt odd to see Matt LeBlanc in a sitcom other than Friends. It took some adjustment, especially since he wasn’t playing Joey Tribbiani this time, but instead an exaggerated version of himself. However, as more and more viewers tuned in, they came to understand that Episodes actually had a positive impact on LeBlanc’s career, perhaps even more so than his role as Joey. Seven years after the end of Friends, LeBlanc reappeared on our screens in Episodes, where he starred in the American remake of a British TV show.

Incidentally, LeBlanc’s reappearance on television was noteworthy as he resumed his acting career following the only spinoff of Friends, titled Joey. Although his industry return was intriguing in itself, it opened up a special chance for him. Regrettably, when you are a part of one of the most iconic sitcoms ever, there’s a strong likelihood that your character will define your career for years to come. Instead of attempting to redefine himself or adopt an entirely new role, LeBlanc opted to lean into the absurdity, acknowledge the self-referential nature, and further bolster his career by portraying a satirical version of himself.

Whereas Joey Was An Uninspired Spinoff, Episodes Had A Genius Premise

The Concept Of Joey Wasn’t Anything New, But Episodes’ Was

Joey Tribbiani stood out significantly on Friends, however, it turned out that he worked better as a supporting comic relief character rather than the lead. The spin-off show Joey debuted just a few months after Friends concluded, which meant viewers didn’t have enough time to miss him. The series followed the journey of Joey as he moved to Hollywood, aiming to achieve success as an actor, reconnected with his sister and nephew, and encountered a variety of quirky new characters. Unfortunately, the Friends spin-off didn’t succeed due to several factors, but primarily because the narrative lacked inspiration.

The idea behind Episodes was a refreshing change at that time. LeBlanc returned to collaborate with Friends‘ creator David Crane, who knew how to bring out the best in him as an actor. Interestingly, the fictional representation of himself shared many traits with Joey Tribbiani’s character.

Rather than downplaying Joey, LeBlanc found a way to leverage his popularity. In fact, he didn’t shy away from referencing the iconic character, but also used this as an opportunity to highlight other skills he possesses by subtly portraying himself as a vain and demanding star.

Episodes May Have Been As Important To Matt LeBlanc As Friends Was

Episodes Launched A New Era Of Acting For LeBlanc

In the grand scheme of LeBlanc’s cinematic journey, both Friends and Episodes hold significant value. While Friends remains the pinnacle of his work, Episodes played a crucial role in reshaping his career. By embracing the iconic Joey Tribbiani character and portraying a flamboyant, arrogant Hollywood actor who often butted heads with writers due to his belief that he knew best, LeBlanc effectively revitalized his career. Aware of the lasting impact of Joey Tribbiani and Friends, he neither sought to diminish it nor engage in a futile battle against it.

In a departure from his iconic role in “Friends”, LeBlanc found another enduring and beloved character in “Episodes”. Remarkably, he played himself, a feat that is seldom accomplished by sitcom actors, especially those seeking to rejuvenate their careers following the peak of their fame.

Matt LeBlanc’s triumph in “Episodes” not only gave new life to his career at that time, but also paved the way for future opportunities. For instance, in 2016, he took on the role of one of the hosts for “Top Gear,” having made a single appearance in 2012. He also played the part of Adam Burns, the patriarch, in the CBS sitcom “Man with a Plan” from 2016 to 2020. The success that followed LeBlanc after “Friends” and “Episodes” was established for quite some time, providing a sense of relief as “Episodes” compensated for the disappointment brought by the two-season spinoff “Joey.”

Read More

2025-05-30 00:57