The long-delayed final eight episodes of the spinoff Joey series have officially aired in the United States for the first time. The unaired episodes, shelved since the show’s cancellation in 2006, were released this week on the official Friends YouTube channel. The revival gives fans long-awaited closure to Matt LeBlanc’s post-Friends sitcom journey. NBC had previously pulled the spinoff Joey midway through Season 2 due to declining ratings, leaving a gap in its broadcast history. Now, nearly 20 years later, U.S. audiences can finally watch the complete series in full.
What Happened
The spinoff Joey, starring Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, originally premiered in 2004—only months after Friends ended its 10-season run. The sitcom followed Joey’s move to Los Angeles as he attempted to restart his acting career. Although Season 1 opened strongly with 18.6 million U.S. viewers and earned multiple People’s Choice Awards, ratings began to drop steadily. By the middle of Season 2, NBC removed the show from its schedule, resulting in eight episodes remaining unaired in the U.S. Despite the cancellation, the episodes were broadcast overseas through international networks while remaining inaccessible to American fans until now.
Quotes & Reactions
Former executive producer Kevin Bright previously criticized the creative direction that contributed to the show’s ratings decline.
“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,” Bright said in 2006. “I felt he was moving in the wrong direction, but I was not heard.”
Fans have expressed overwhelming enthusiasm for the release of the lost episodes. One viewer commented:
“Thank you for finally giving us the chance to watch this series. It was impossible to see these episodes back then.”
Another fan added:
“This show had heart. Seeing the lost episodes now means a lot to longtime Friends fans.”
Impact Analysis
The release of the final eight episodes marks a notable moment in television history. For longtime Friends followers, the completion of the spinoff Joey provides long-awaited continuity to one of sitcom TV’s most beloved characters. The move also reinforces the growing trend of legacy series being revived or completed through digital platforms, allowing networks to repurpose archived content for a modern, streaming-centric audience. The renewed attention may even spark fresh discussions around the show’s legacy and its place within the broader Friends universe.
What’s Next
With full access to all spinoff Joey episodes now available on YouTube, fans are expected to revisit and re-evaluate the show with fresh eyes. NBC and Warner Bros. have not announced any additional releases tied to Friends, but the positive response may open doors for future archival projects or behind-the-scenes documentaries. For now, the complete spinoff Joey series remains available to stream in its entirety on the official Friends YouTube channel.
Sources
ESPN Archives
Associated Press
NBC Television Historical Records
TV Ratings: Nielsen Live+3
Variety / The Wrap reporting
