LeBlanc facing the axe?

TV

16:30 21 January 2005

Matt LeBlanc's 'Friends' spin-off show, 'Joey', is reportedly facing the axe - after just six months on air.

Producers of the sitcom, which sees LeBlanc reprise his role as struggling actor Joey Tribbiani, are said to be concerned at viewing figures in the US, and want to boost ratings by bringing in LeBlanc's old 'Friends' co-stars for guest appearances.

They are reportedly in talks with David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox, to try and convince them to appear if not the programme could bite the dust.

Executive producer Kevin Bright said: "That could well happen."

Other plans for the ailing sitcom include bringing in "more interesting" characters.

The show was launched last year as a follow-on from 'Friends', which ended after ten huge successful series, and saw Joey move from New York to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career.

Although it won rave reviews and was a ratings success to begin with audiences have fallen rapidly with critics branding it "dull".

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