Iconic sitcom Friends had an undeniable impact on pop culture throughout its 10-year run, with memes such as “Smelly Cat” and “How you doin’?” circulating even before the internet was there to help them along. The show has now been off air for longer than it was on, and isn’t quite as relevant to people in their 30s now. Yet Friends‘ reunion special still had one final meme to impart.
On Thursday, Friends: The Reunion reunited the sitcom’s principal cast, with actors Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer gathering to reminisce about on-set accidents and inter-cast attractions on the show. It was all rather heartwarming, and interesting to see how everyone has changed since their days hanging out at Central Perk.
However for many viewers, it was LeBlanc’s look and demeanor that stole the show.
More specifically, Twitter users were struck by LeBlanc’s similarity to an archetypal Irish uncle, posting pictures of him alongside the type of phrases such men might say. This frequently involves him being very supportive of his hypothetical family, despite not fully understanding their situation.
Basically, he a little confused, but he got the spirit.
Cmere to me what is it you’re studying now? Oh law right right very good ah jesus sure i’ll know who to ring so the next time i get myself into a bit of trouble!! pic.twitter.com/i0Nb8R6mzg
— sophie 🇵🇸 (@lyonsteafan) May 29, 2021
and then marty’s young lad comes in with his boyfriend and says he’s a bilingual sure it’s anything goes nowadays sure you know yourself pic.twitter.com/EGEKTAiCW3
— eve conway (@eveconway30) May 29, 2021
vegetarian are ya? jaysus i couldn’t do that to meself i’d bleedin starve without me sunday roast haha. sure i’ll pick up a nice bitta fish for you so pic.twitter.com/Sp0E4afwdW
— marysia // ***** *** (@stairgay2heaven) May 29, 2021
Matt Le Blanc is 100% the Irish uncle who drives up the a christening in his work van, says nothing for the 1st half hour gets a Guinness into him and proceeds to hold court for the rest of the night pic.twitter.com/H43DK1qtnP
— Pól Mac Giolla Padraig (@kilpatrick_23) May 29, 2021
My fave type of Irish Uncle is the one that states random facts as a way of connecting.
“You know I was in Zambia meself in 1986; GORGEOUS people”
Lmaooo yes sir. Thank you for that. pic.twitter.com/G77xgmICe0
— Felicia 😊 (@FeliSpeaks) May 29, 2021
“Are you autistic? Jeez you don’t look a bit of it. Sure aren’t we all a bit on the spectrum these days. C’mere are you able to count cards or anything like that?” pic.twitter.com/rvpdpWCdoo
— Adam Harris (@AdamPHarris) May 29, 2021
“C’mere to me now. Here’s a few bob now for a few auld penny shweets. Don’t tell yer mudder tho she’ll have me guts for garters” pic.twitter.com/yGRz5go0hi
— Jacksepticeye (@Jacksepticeye) May 30, 2021
Though a predominantly Irish meme, a few British and Scottish Twitter users also saw a familiar uncle in LeBlanc and attempted to get in on the action. LeBlanc isn’t actually Irish himself, and played Italian American actor Joey Tribbiani on Friends.
matt le blanc looks like a fella you’d end up having a deep conversation with in the residents bar after a wedding. ten pints deep and he’s giving you the best advice you’ll ever get. you’ll never meet him again but his sage wisdom sticks with you forever. a gentleman pic.twitter.com/KfXpHjFdsA
— Ian (@imgrandsure) May 29, 2021
matt leblanc is ma da watching me opening ma christmas gift having nae clue wit ma maw got me fae them pic.twitter.com/SdOJlIN9Sy
— Shaunee 🔮⚰️they/them #BLM (@ShauneeBroadley) May 29, 2021
Still, it seems LeBlanc’s not having an actual connection to Ireland hasn’t stopped him from giving off strong Irish uncle vibes.
Matt LeBlanc is Irish, I don’t want to see any other nation trying to claim him, he’s from Tullamore, he drinks milk with his dinner
— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) May 30, 2021
All 10 seasons of Friends plus the reunion special are currently available to stream on HBO Max.