Friends fans have been waiting nearly two decades, and it’s finally happened.
The spin-off series Joey has officially released its final eight unaired episodes, almost 19 years after the show was cancelled in 2006.
The episodes are now available to stream on the official Friends YouTube channel, giving fans full access to the complete series for the first time ever.
Joey, which starred Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, only lasted two seasons before NBC pulled the plug. The final eight episodes of season two never even made it to air in the United States.
NBC pulled the show from its main Thursday slot in December 2005. They later aired one more episode on a random Tuesday in March. Then, nothing. The remaining eight episodes were shelved in the US, but got airtime in other countries.
Joey Leaves New York And Heads To Hollywood
The spin-off followed Joey as he left New York and moved to Los Angeles to chase his acting dream.
Matt LeBlanc returned as the lovable goofball, trying to level up in Hollywood.
The show also introduced new characters, including Drea de Matteo as his dramatic sister Gina. Paulo Costanzo played Michael, Joey’s genius nephew who struggled with social skills.
Fans hoped Joey would recreate the magic of Friends. But critics said something felt off.
Why Joey Didn’t Work, According To Friends Producer
In an interview after the show was cancelled, Friends executive producer Kevin S Bright explained why he thought the spin-off failed.
He said: “On Friends, Joey was a womaniser but we enjoyed his exploits. He was a solid friend, a guy you knew you could count on.
“Joey was deconstructed to be a guy who couldn’t get a job, couldn’t ask a girl out. He became a pathetic, mopey character. I felt he was moving in the wrong direction, but I was not heard.”
Fans agreed that Joey just didn’t feel like Joey anymore.
Where Is Matt LeBlanc Now?
Since Joey ended, Matt LeBlanc has had a solid career.
He starred as a fictional version of himself in Episodes, earning Golden Globe praise. He also led the sitcom Man with a Plan, and even hosted Top Gear for four seasons.
With the full Joey series finally available, Friends fans can now watch the entire journey, even if it didn’t end how they hoped.
Joey Tribbiani may not have made it in Hollywood, but at least the lost episodes finally did.
Featured image credit: NBC
