WTF Is ‘Episodes’ Anyway?

Matt LeBlanc, who to most (all?) of us will be Joey Tribiani, has had a second wind as the star of Showtime’s Episodes. This year he’s earned his third Emmy nomination for playing — wait for it — Matt LeBlanc. Yes, this is apparently a real thing and not just a crazy long-con prank pulled on all of us by the Television Academy. How do I know for sure? Well, I have watched it. With my own two eyes! (And ears, because there’s sound, too.)

I’m sure you have questions, right? Well, I’m here to anticipate the four questions you may have (sorry, but you are limited to just four) and to answer those for you.

What is Episodes?

Episodes is a single-camera comedy series, which premiered on Showtime back in 2011. The show follows a pair of married television writers named Beverly and Sean (played by Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan, who previously starred opposite each other on the Channel 4 series Green Wing), whose successful British sitcom is eyed by Hollywood producers for an American remake. Once they land in Los Angeles, however, they discover that the network execs over here wish to make a bunch of changes to their original vision and cast former Friends star Matt LeBlanc in the lead role.

So, it’s sort of British?

Yes! Well, kind of. It’s a British production team (although the series was co-created by American TV writer David Crane, who co-created Friends). While it airs in the states on Showtime, it’s almost entirely shot in the UK and definitely has a British comic sensibility. Think of it as a Curb Your Enthusiasm without all of the famous guest stars and with a sort of daffy air about it.

Is it funny?

Let me put it this way: I started with Season Four (since LeBlanc is nominated once again this year). Naturally, I had no idea what this show was about and did not expect much, and starting with the fourth season was probably not the best way to make an assessment. For example, in the season premiere, two characters (who are not any of the three leads) sit down for a lunch, and the lady asks the guy she’s dining with if he’s been tanning. He replies, “I have jaundice.” It’s that kind of cringey, awkward joke that also gave me pause because he did actually look as tan as his female counterpart. I said to myself, “I can’t tell if that’s the joke.” This is something I would think several times while watching the fourth season’s first four episodes.

I will say that compared to other showbiz satires like Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Comeback, and BoJack Horseman, Episodes feels a lot lighter in tone. Yes, there’s some biting commentary about the Hollywood ridiculata who seemingly fall upward to success, but it’s not as malicious or uncomfortable as those other three series. And, luckily, the heavily fictionalized Matt LeBlanc character makes good use of the actor, who, honestly, doesn’t seem too much different from his Friends character.

Is Matt LeBlanc any good?

I think so! I mean, the whole thing feels a little one-note (a little reminiscent of the washed-up James Van Der Beek character on Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt. 23, although, again, not as mean or spiteful). I can certainly see how LeBlanc has squeezed himself into the Outstanding Actor in a Comedy running for the third time, as the race doesn’t seem as tight as it does for the Outstanding Actress in a Comedy category. Would I recommend Episodes? Sure. It’s not particularly deep or mind-blowingly smart, but it’s worth watching especially for those who feel turned-off by its more sinister and darker counterparts.

You can stream Episodes on Hulu, Showtime Anytime, or on Amazon Instant Video.

Like what you see? Follow Decider on Facebook and Twitter to join the conversation, and sign up for our email newsletters to be the first to know about streaming movies and TV news!

Photos: Everett Collection