'Episodes' of Laughter

Kiss Joey Tribbiani good-bye as Matt LeBlanc helms Showtime’s Episodes as a diluted version of himself. From his over-exaggerated, humorous portrayal of Joey to his now-chill, more realistic (fame-crazed, reckless, and egotistical, but more realistic nonetheless) character, Matt LeBlanc keeps the audience (and even the supporting characters) on their toes.

The show is kicked off by a celebratory party for Sean and Beverly Lincoln (a British couple and writing-team portrayed by Stephan Mangan and Tamsin Greig) and their hugely popular British show, Lyman’s Boys. American network producer Merc Lapidus (John Pankow) takes note on Lyman’s boys’s success and invites the couple to the states, the insanity of Hollywood, and the superficial interactions of American showbiz. But what seems to be Merc’s worst mistake for Lyman’s boys, yet funniest mistake for Episodes is hiring  Matt Leblanc to play the headmaster. But the manipulative, my-way-or-the-highway LeBlanc changes the show completely, from a comedy about an elite boarding school to one about a hockey team.

As Hollywood rubs off on the clever Brits, it also ruins a fictional TV show, marriage, and all naivety towards the crazy characters of show business.

From Matt LeBlanc’s foolhardy personality, Stephan Mangan and Tamsin Greig bring the show back to reality, constantly testing each-other’s wits in a loveable way. Leblanc spends his time befriending Sean and annoying Beverly as he dances their show into a train wreck, questions the solidity of their relationship, and charms his way through the producers and his other superiors. All the while he deals with his own problems, like taking the heat for being forever known as “Joey Tribbiani,” being ridiculed for the Friends Spin-off and NBC- flop Joey, and trying desperately to keep his two sons and ex-wife content.

Episodes, written by Jeffery Klarik and Friends co-creator David Crane, is a refreshing twist of the TV show norm, as the viewer chuckles come from the characters’ battle of wits as opposed to catch phrases and stupid plotlines above an abiding laugh track at every funny-or-not joke cracked.

A third season is believed to premiere this Fall of a show that is different, smart, and shines a new and positive light on Matt LeBlanc.