NBC Releases Final 'Joey' Episodes on YouTube After 18 Years

For the first time in nearly two decades, American viewers can watch the complete second season of "Joey," the short-lived spinoff of the hit sitcom "Friends," after NBC released its final eight previously unaired episodes on the official Friends YouTube channel this week.

The series, which starred Matt LeBlanc reprising his role as the lovable but dim-witted actor Joey Tribbiani, followed the character as he relocated from New York to Los Angeles in pursuit of stardom. There, his own sitcom gig falls through, leading him to reconnect with his family, including his sharp-tongued sister Gina, played by Drea de Matteo, and her genius nephew Michael, portrayed by Paulo Costanzo. The ensemble also featured Jennifer Coolidge as Joey's glamorous neighbor, along with Andrea Anders, Miguel A. Núñez Jr., and Ben Falcone. Created by Scott Silveri and Shana Goldberg-Meehan, who had previously worked as writers and producers on "Friends," the show premiered on NBC on September 9, 2004, just four months after the original series concluded its 10-season run.

"Joey" debuted to strong numbers, attracting 18.6 million viewers for its pilot episode in the Thursday night slot previously held by...