Matt LeBlanc Getty Images
The former 'Friends' and 'Episodes' star says he'd also like to keep doing 'Top Gear,' but there's no word from the BBC about his involvement on the show.
Matt LeBlanc says Episodes "whet his appetite" for series TV after a period of self-imposed exile following the failure of Friends spin-off Joey.
LeBlanc stars in the CBS comedy Man With A Plan, a broad multi-camera sitcom about a father who suddenly becomes the primary care-giver to his three children. The show, which will air Mondays this fall, is somewhat antithetical to the current trend of dark, brooding comedies on cable and streaming services. But it is very much in keeping with the comedy DNA at CBS. And LeBlanc noted that he was attracted to Man With A Plan for that very reason.
"On Episodes we did nine episodes every 18 months," said LeBlanc. "I had a really great time doing that. But, I wanted to work more."
LeBlanc earned critical praise for his role in Episodes for playing a thinly veiled version of himself; a narcissistic American sitcom star trying to mount a come back. But he noted that subject matter of Man With A Plan dovetails with his own life as a parent. Because it was a single-camera comedy, Episodes required a much longer production schedule and LeBlanc admitted that he welcomed the shorter days of a multi-camera sitcom. "I have a family and the hours are shorter. I like the work week of a multi-cam; you rehearse all week and then shoot in front of a live audience. It’s like being part of an ensemble theater company."
His former friends star Matthew Perry also is on CBS in the returning sitcom The Odd Couple, but LeBlanc said there have been no discussions yet of a crossover or guest stint. And he said he'd like to return to the BBC's Top Gear, but he appeared to be in the dark about future prospects for the controversy-plagued program.
"I’m not sure what’s happening with Top Gear just yet, but this is my priority," he said, referring to Man With A Plan. He said he would like to do more Top Gear before adding, "There’s nothing officially happening yet. Call the BBC."
