Joey - TV-14
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: NBC Cast: Matt LeBlanc, Paulo Costanzo, Drea de Matteo
Genre: Comedy
Available on: 
DVDDownload
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this series is essentially for adults. Humor is sometimes shallow and crude. Viewers' mature understanding of sexuality is assumed. Since Joey's sister's breast augmentation is a running topic, the breasts themselves are prominently featured. In the end, the ensemble fails at delivering consistent laughs for teens or parents.
Families can talk about a range of topics. Is Joey as appealing away from his other "friends"? Which TV spin-offs have been successful? Is the Tribbianis' living situation ideal or realistic? What does the show say about superficial side of Hollywood life?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Betsy Wallace
JOEY is to Friends what Frasier was to Cheers -- a spin-off of a mega-series hoping to become another mega-series.
In Joey, Matt LeBlanc continues in the role of Joey Tribbiani, the sweet-but-slightly simpleminded friend who was better at getting women than acting jobs. In Joey, things are reversed -- he lands roles on a hit series and iun a big action movie, but struggles to find love.
Having left his friends behind in New York to search for fame in Hollywood, Joey is now surrounded by family members -- nephew/roommate Michael (Paulo Costanzo), a brainy graduate student, and sister Gina (Drea de Matteo), a hairdresser. Joey also has a good female friend in the building, Alex (Andrea Anders), and a brash agent, Bobbie (Jennifer Coolidge, Best in Show, Legally Blonde).
Episodes feature Joey trying to make friends, meet women, land parts, and deal with sitcom-esque scenarios that make fun of his less-than-sparkling intellect but highlight his good heart and childlike spirit.
It might be easy to mistake Joey for a kid-friendly show given its family centered topics. But episodes almost always incorporate some risqué humor and adult subject matter -- such as Joey trying to prove to his friend's husband that he isn't gay or dealing with his attraction to an actress playing his daughter.
LeBlanc still brings a lot of talent to the role, and veteran fans may enjoy Joey, which was cancelled after two seasons but is available on DVD.
Fans might also want to check out How I Met Your Mother or That '70s Show.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentLots of sexual innuendo; Gina's clothes are often revealing (and her breasts are much discussed); Joey is a ladies' man who gets around; casual sexual relationships. |
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LanguageMild profanity, such as "damn." Other crude phrases and imagery, especially from Joey's agent. |
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Social BehaviorSome objectification of women. Joey's potential love interests have included two married women (one on the brink of divorce). Joey's sister Gina had her son when she was just 16, but she's a caring mother. Joey often teaches his nephew how to lure women. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoOccasional social drinking. |
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