For fans of the iconic sitcom ‘Friends,' the journey of Joey Tribbiani continues as the spinoff series ‘Joey' becomes available for streaming for the first time. This development offers both nostalgic viewers and new audiences a chance to explore Joey's adventures in Hollywood.
‘Joey' premiered on NBC on September 9, 2004, following the conclusion of ‘Friends.' The series focuses on Joey Tribbiani, portrayed by Matt LeBlanc, as he relocates from New York to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. In L.A., Joey reconnects with his sister Gina, played by Drea de Matteo, and moves in with his nephew Michael, portrayed by Paulo Costanzo. The show also features Andrea Anders as Joey's neighbor and love interest, Alex, and Jennifer Coolidge as his talent agent, Bobby. Despite its strong cast and creative team, ‘Joey' struggled to capture the magic of its predecessor and was canceled after two seasons, with several episodes unaired.
As of March 13, 2025, the first two episodes of ‘Joey' have been released on the official ‘Friends' YouTube channel, marking the series' debut in the streaming landscape. This move allows fans to revisit Joey's Hollywood journey and introduces the spinoff to viewers who may have missed it during its original broadcast. While only two episodes are currently available, this release has sparked discussions about the potential for the entire series to be made accessible on streaming platforms in the future.
Upon its original airing, ‘Joey' received mixed reviews and faced declining viewership, leading to its cancellation. Critics noted that the series struggled to develop Joey's character beyond his ‘Friends' persona, and the new setting lacked the ensemble dynamic that defined the original show. However, Matt LeBlanc's performance was praised, and he later found success playing a fictionalized version of himself in the critically acclaimed series ‘Episodes,' which satirizes the entertainment industry and offers a meta-commentary on his career post-‘Friends.'
The release of ‘Joey' episodes on YouTube provides an opportunity for fans to revisit a piece of ‘Friends' history and evaluate the spinoff with fresh perspectives. While the series may not have achieved the success of its predecessor, it offers insights into the challenges of extending beloved characters into new narratives. As streaming platforms continue to explore their archives, the availability of shows like ‘Joey' enriches the content landscape and caters to audiences' nostalgic desires.
Do you think ‘Joey' deserved a longer run, or was its cancellation justified? How do you feel about spinoffs of popular series in general?
