‘Joey’ Unaired Episodes Surface After 20 Years
Nearly 20 years after its abrupt cancellation, the Friends spinoff Joey is getting an unexpected encore. Warner Bros. Discovery has quietly dropped the final eight unaired episodes of the Matt LeBlanc-led sitcom, offering fans a belated conclusion to Joey Tribbiani’s Hollywood journey. Originally shelved in 2006, the episodes are now streaming—reigniting debates about the show’s legacy.
Why ‘Joey’ Was Canceled—And Why It’s Back
Launched in 2004 as NBC’s Friends successor, Joey followed the clueless actor’s move to LA, leaning on LeBlanc’s charm. Despite a strong start, Season 2’s declining ratings led to its axing, leaving eight episodes unaired in the U.S. (though some aired overseas).
Why now? Industry insiders cite three factors:
1. Streaming demand: With Friends still a top performer on Max, Warner Bros. is mining its IP for nostalgia.
2. Fan campaigns: Petitions and Friends reunion buzz pushed the studio to act.
3. Closure: “These episodes complete Joey’s arc,” says a source.
What’s in the Lost Episodes?
The unaired batch includes:
– Joey’s acting blunders and family dynamics with Gina (Drea de Matteo) and nephew Michael.
– A rumored Friends cameo (speculation points to Aniston or Cox).
– Early viewer reviews call it “fluffy but fun,” with LeBlanc’s humor shining.
Fan Reactions: Love It or Leave It?
Responses split between excitement and skepticism:
– Pro: “More Joey is always a win!” – @TribbianiTrueFan
– Con: “A relic of mid-2000s TV that hasn’t aged well.’ – @CriticModeOn
Could ‘Joey’ Return?
While no revival is planned, LeBlanc has teased openness: “That guy’s hard to quit.” For now, these episodes are a farewell gift.
Where to Watch
Stream the Joey finale chapters on Max and affiliated platforms.
