Joey
Joey
Now Showing

Joey

6.3
Yr 2004
Rt 22m
Status Canceled
Comedy
Your Verdict

Rate this show to unlock picks like it. Create a free account.

Back
Series Brief

Overview

Joey has struck out on his own and moved to Hollywood, hoping to truly make it as an actor. Joey says goodbye to a time when his friends were his family and welcomes the chance to turn his family into his friends. After reuniting with his high-strung sister Gina, a strong and sexy hairdresser, Joey moves in with her genius 20-year-old son, graduate student Michael, who literally is a rocket scientist. What Joey lacks in book smarts, however, he more than makes up for with his people skills, making him the best new friend his nephew could ask for.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 35 /100

Critical reception for Joey was largely negative, with many reviewers finding the spinoff unable to replicate the magic of its predecessor. Critics frequently described the show as a hollow, unoriginal attempt to capitalize on the success of Friends, noting that Matt LeBlanc’s character functioned better as part of an ensemble than as a solo lead.

While some outlets found the show to be a polished and likable sitcom, others criticized its reliance on cheap laughs and its portrayal of characters through dated, sex-obsessed tropes. Common Sense Media specifically warned parents of themes involving sexism and homophobia, further distancing the show from the warmer reputation of its parent series.

“Joey is a lame, hollow and utterly unoriginal show.”

“Basing an entire series around a fellow who’s little more than a grab bag of lunkhead jokes.”

“Relocating its established character and surrounding him with engaging newcomers, Joey is a polished and likable half-hour.”

“The show features cheap laughs, sexism, and homophobia.”

Why fans love it

This sitcom, which premiered in 2004, follows the transition of an aspiring actor moving from a familiar social circle to a new life in Los Angeles. The core of the show rests on the dynamic between an uncle with street smarts and a nephew who happens to be a rocket scientist. By moving in with his sister, Joey attempts to shift the focus from his chosen family to his biological one.

Matt LeBlanc anchors the performance as the title character navigates the frustrations of Hollywood auditions and the realities of being a beginner. The comedy leans into the contrast between the nephew’s academic brilliance and the uncle’s instinctive, people-oriented approach to life. It frames the California experience through the lens of family friction and the messy process of growing up before actually becoming a successful actor.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 5
Longest run 46 eps
Matt LeBlanc
Matt LeBlanc
as Joey Tribbiani
46 episodes
Drea de Matteo
Drea de Matteo
as Gina Tribbiani
46 episodes
Andrea Anders
Andrea Anders
as Alex Garrett
46 episodes
Paulo Costanzo
Paulo Costanzo
as Michael Tribbiani
46 episodes
Jennifer Coolidge
Jennifer Coolidge
as Bobbie Morganstern
46 episodes
Miguel A. Núñez Jr.
Miguel A. Núñez Jr.
as Zach Miller
22 episodes
Nancy O'Dell
Nancy O'Dell
as Nancy O'Dell
1 episode
Susan Dalian
Susan Dalian
as Maureen
1 episode
Show 67 more
Josh Randall as Roger 1 episode Peter Stormare as Viktor 1 episode Trev Broudy as Mark 1 episode Amanda Swisten as Miss Santa Fe 1 episode Dayna Devon as Reporter #2 1 episode Jay Leno as Jay Leno 1 episode Shanna Moakler as Mariska 1 episode Brianna Brown as Elsa 1 episode Deborah Theaker as Lorraine 1 episode John Larroquette as Benjamin Lockwood 2 episodes Branscombe Richmond as Ray 1 episode Coolio as Coolio 1 episode Ellen DeGeneres as Ellen DeGeneres 1 episode Kristin Richardson as Edie 1 episode Kelly Preston as Donna 2 episodes Lawrence Mandley as Slate Guy 1 episode Jayma Mays as Molly 1 episode Reagan Dale Neis as Jane 1 episode Bob Odenkirk as Brian Michael David Scott 1 episode Danny Nucci as Ron 1 episode Tom Lenk as Thomas 1 episode Lanisha Cole as Miss Reno 1 episode Portia Dawson as Tracy 1 episode Beth Littleford as Carla 1 episode Antonio Sabàto, Jr. as Kyle 1 episode Christina Ricci as Mary Teresa 1 episode Carmen Electra as Carmen Electra 2 episodes Jenna Dewan as Tanya 1 episode Dan Cortese as Chuck 1 episode Alan Thicke as Alan Thicke 1 episode Matt Letscher as Eric 5 episodes Joyce Giraud as María 1 episode Richard Ruccolo as Glen 3 episodes Lisa LoCicero as Celeste 1 episode George Hamilton as George Hamilton 1 episode Robert Costanzo as Joey Sr. 1 episode Alyson Stoner as Kaley 1 episode Geoff Stults as Jake 1 episode Irene Olga López as Client 1 episode John Ducey as Steve 1 episode Patrick Kerr as Producer 1 episode Rachel Blanchard as Joelle 1 episode Mo Collins as Ms. Lafferty 1 episode Colby Donaldson as Gunnar 3 episodes Phil Gordon as Phil Gordon 1 episode John Bliss as Grandpa 1 episode Lucy Liu as Lauren 3 episodes Danneel Ackles as Katie 3 episodes Mädchen Amick as Sara 5 episodes Simon Helberg as Seth 4 episodes Kristen Miller as Jenna 2 episodes Neil Flynn as Father O'Neill 2 episodes Adam Goldberg as Jimmy 9 episodes Kevin Farley as Man 2 episodes Carlos Gómez as Director 2 episodes Paula Cale as Abby 3 episodes Valerie Azlynn as Candace 2 episodes Rachel Quaintance as Chris 3 episodes Gregory Harrison as Dean 5 episodes Davis Mikaels as Jason 2 episodes Alex Ball as Todd 7 episodes Tommy Perna as Sweaty Cop 4 episodes Melanie Paxson as Marci 2 episodes Aalok Mehta as Rajeev 2 episodes Ben Falcone as Howard 17 episodes Nat Faxon as Bodie 3 episodes Matthew Mullany as Stage Manager 4 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Joey overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

los angeles, california spin off uncle nephew relationship aspiring actor sitcom
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
September 09, 2004
Status
Canceled
Episode Runtime
22 minutes
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
347