Friends star Matt LeBlanc is headed back to TV in a single-camera comedy for Showtime called Episodes, a series “about a British couple whose hit UK show is turned into a dumbed-down American sitcom starring LeBlanc (as himself),” according to a press release from the cable network. The series is essentially a send-up of the network TV business in America, as the to-be-Americanized UK series at the center of Episodes will be morphed quickly by American TV executives.
Episodes‘ creators are David Crane (Friends, The Class) and Jeffrey Klarik (The Class, Mad About You). “Jeffrey and David have a great idea—I love it,” LeBlanc said in the announcement. “I am really excited to be working with Showtime and the BBC. And I am so glad I got the part, seeing someone else play Matt LeBlanc would have been devastating.” Six episodes will begin shooting in London and Hollywood this winter. The series is set to air on Showtime and BBC Two in the UK in 2010.
Some highlights from Showtime’s portion of press tour…
* We were also treated to a cheeky clip of Matt LeBlanc faux-auditioning for the role of Matt LeBlanc in the new comedy, Episodes. The takeaway: During his five years out of the spotlight, Joey morphed into a silver fox!
