First of all, nothing can recreate the magic of FRIENDS - you have to keep that in mind. FRIENDS owes it’s tube immortality to the group dynamics of 6 quirky people. Take one out (the less talented one), and you’ve got a major work on your hands trying to spin a successful series around that character. There’s only so many times “how you doin” can be funny. So what to do? - you surround that character with talented scenery-chewing regulars, with a side helping of bosom valleys. And that’s how JOEY survives the competition.

In the first season - you find JOEY (Matt Le Blanc) flying off to the movie-capital of the world. His sister (the terrific Drea De Matteo) arranges for a place for him. She comes packaged with a teenaged son (Paulo Costanzo) who’s a bit of lovable geek. Joey’s got an agent (the riotous Jennifer Coolidge), a neighbour (the unfunny Andrea Anders) and other semi-regulars like the Tom Arnold-channeling Ben Falcone (who’s actually quite affable).

The Pros - as with FRIENDS, any situation that threatens to get sappy, get’s jerked back with a comedic pull. No moment should get serious is the order of the day. Excellent choice in guest stars like Lucy Liu (who plays an OCD-afflicted TV Executive producer) elevate the series in it’s funny moments. David Schwimmer, Andy Weyman & Gary Halvorson helmed episodes rock (wish if Schwimmer had popped in front of the lens too).

Cons - Kevin Bright shouldn’t direct any episodes - he sucks. The jokes fall flat, and the punch lines are left without support.
Jokes with incestous undertones - not cool.
The constant display of cleavage (including those of Jennifer Coolidge) numbs the senses. It’s needlessly distracting. If it was one character (Drea De Matteo), it would have been okay, but a serious number of actresses flashing ‘em (although I love cleavage) in a comedy series is kinda off-putting. How many times did you see Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston or Courtney Cox letting you take a generous peep down their cups? Exactly.

All in all - JOEY’s good for a few chuckles, but after watching the first season - you do tend to ask yourself, “So, how you doin?”.

Season: One
Episodes : 24 in all
Cast: Matt Le Blanc, Paulo Costanzo, Drea De Matteo

Starred one time