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Nearly two decades after its short-lived run, Joey, the spinoff of the iconic sitcom Friends, remains a lesser-known chapter in television history. While Friends propelled its six lead actors—Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer—to international fame, its follow-up series failed to capture the same success.
After Friends concluded in 2004, Joey followed Matt LeBlanc’s character, Joey Tribbiani, as he pursued his acting career in Hollywood. The show introduced his sister Gina, played by Drea de Matteo, and his academically gifted nephew Michael, portrayed by Paulo Costanzo. Joey’s journey also included a romantic connection with his building superintendent, Alexis (Andrea Anders), and a friendship with fellow aspiring actor Zach (Miguel A. Núñez Jr.).
Despite high expectations, Joey struggled to maintain an audience. Several actors from Friends made appearances, with Jennifer Coolidge, Adam Goldberg, and Carlos Gómez taking on roles in both series. Robert Costanzo reprised his role as Joey’s father, making him one of the few to transition between shows.
The series premiered on NBC in 2004 but was placed on hiatus during its second season. A brief return in 2006 was followed by its cancellation. However, LeBlanc’s performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
Reflecting on the show’s failure, executive producer Kevin S. Bright suggested that altering Joey’s carefree nature contributed to its decline, noting that attempts to make the character more mature distanced audiences.
