Friends spin-off confirmed

Rumours that Friends is to spawn a spin-off centred on Matt LeBlanc's Joey Tribbiani character were confirmed last night.

America's NBC network officially announced that a 22-episode series called, predictably, Joey, is to air in the autumn of 2004.

The show will take the high-profile 8pm Thursday slot traditionally occupied by Friends, which comes to an end next May after ten series.

Writer Shana Goldberg-Meehan told the Hollywood Reporter: "We love Joey. We've loved watching him grow over the years, and he feels like he can grow even more. We can see him in some new environments that will be a lot of fun for him, and for us."

The character is expected to move out of New York and into Los Angeles, where he will try to build up his acting career.

NBC entertainment president Jeff Zucker said: "You probably never would have predicted this when Friends began, but Joey has emerged as the character that America roots for and loves."

LeBlanc will reportedly take a huge pay cut from his current $1 million-an-episode salary, but the new deal does also include a commitment to star in two Warner Bros movies.

Published: 25 Jul 2003