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Matt LeBlanc tells how he is starting to confuse real life with his on-screen alter ego character in dark comedy Episodes.
Episodes recently started it’s third series and revolves around the story of award winning British TV producers Sean and Beverly Lincoln who move to LA to try and reproduce their comedy series, Lyman’s Boys for the USA.
Matt LeBlanc is cast as the main role in the series, much to the producers disgust as his over-entitled personality rips their show apart along with causing problems in their marriage.
Over the past two seasons of the programme, the fictional Matt has been caught up in situations that are similar to those that real life Matt has to deal with, some of which he probably doesn’t want to re-live.
There is an incident in the programme where fictional Matt is caught drunk driving while he is taking his children to Disneyland. This rings true with the actor who says he has been caught drink driving in the past, twice.
‘When I was young and stupid. I wasn’t driving fast, just crooked. The press never got hold of the mugshots. I was lucky.’
Although it mustn’t be the most enjoyable experience to seemingly have his embarrassing moments used as inspiration for an onscreen character, he feels it isn’t getting to him too much.
‘It makes me think, “Am I really like that?” But so far, touch wood, I don’t think I am. If anything, the show is keeping me on the straight and narrow.’
The actor is best known for his role as Joey Tribbiani in hit series Friends, which he sees as a blessing. One of his co-actors, David Scwhimmer once said that he found the hype focused on the cast of friends traumatic.
‘Schwimmer! What a pussy!’
But even with a five year break from acting in order to distance himself from the character, Matt says he will always be thankful for the role.
‘I never wanted to run from Joey. I’m proud of him, not ashamed.’
Episodes will be shown every Wednesday at 10pm on BBC2.