Two decades after its abrupt cancellation, the ill-fated Friends spinoff Joey has finally reached its conclusion for American audiences. For the first time in the United States, the eight final episodes of the sitcom, which were never broadcast by NBC, are now available to stream.
The complete series, starring Matt LeBlanc, has been uploaded to the official Friends YouTube channel, marking the end of a long wait for dedicated fans of the franchise.
The Rise and Fall of a Spinoff
The series Joey first premiered on NBC in 2004, just four months after the iconic ten-season run of Friends came to an end. The show followed LeBlanc's beloved character, Joey Tribbiani, as he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career.
Ironically, the plot saw his new sitcom get cancelled, forcing him to reconnect with his sister, played by Drea de Matteo, and his nephew, portrayed by Paulo Costanzo. The cast also included Jennifer Coolidge, Andrea Anders, Ben Falcone, and Miguel A. Núñez Jr.
The show began with immense promise. Its pilot episode attracted a strong 18.6 million viewers in the US. It even won the People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy in 2005, with LeBlanc winning Favorite Male TV Star.
Why Joey Was Cancelled
Despite the strong start, viewer interest quickly dwindled. The first season averaged 10.2 million viewers, a figure that dropped to just 7.1 million for its second season. The last episode to be broadcast in the US drew a mere 4 million viewers.
NBC ultimately pulled the plug in 2006 during its second season due to these low ratings. The network left eight episodes unaired in the US, even though they had been shown on international networks.
After the cancellation, executive producer Kevin Bright publicly criticised the network's handling of the character. He stated that the show deconstructed Joey from a lovable womanizer into a "pathetic, mopey character" who couldn't get a job or ask a girl out, a direction he felt was a mistake.
A Nostalgic Victory for Fans
The release of the lost episodes on YouTube has been met with celebration from nostalgic fans. Many have taken to the comments section to express their gratitude for finally being able to see the complete story.
One fan wrote, "To the person that runs the Friends youtube channel, Thank you. I never got a chance to watch this series and the fact that you kept with it is amazing." Another commented, "This was a gem of a show. Wished I could have seen it back then... Thanks Matt and the crew."
This digital release provides a long-overdue conclusion for the Matt LeBlanc vehicle and offers a new generation of Friends enthusiasts a chance to experience the entire, albeit short-lived, journey of Joey Tribbiani.
