#MattieBan: Matt LeBlanc reacts to the Irish uncle memes

UPDATE: This week, Matt LeBlanc’s friend and Episodes co-star, actor Stephen Mangan has said that the Friends star had seen the explosion of memes about him following the reunion for the hit 1990s sitcom.

While promoting this new children’s book, Escape the Room, on RTÉ Radio’s The Ray Darcy Show, Mangan said that he of course had mentioned the memes to LeBlanc. “Oh yeah, I wouldn’t miss a trick like that… they caused a lot of joy in this house,” said Mangan.

“I’m not sure Matt really understands what was happening,” he chuckled, but reckons he got the gist. “He saw the funny side of it. He’s got a good sense of humour.” In fairness, unless you actually had an Irish uncle, it’s hard to explain just how spot-on of an impression he was doing.

If you need an update on #MattieBan, take gander at our favourite tweets, below.

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In news that is surprising to no one, everyone is still talking about the Friends reunion, but not for the reason you might have expected. Unless you’ve been living under a rock with no internet, you’re likely to have seen the Matt LeBlanc memes by now… but let me catch you up to speed just in case. 

Basically, Matt LeBlanc has been granted honorary status as a through and through Irishman after two different shots of him from the reunion ep went viral. Why? Well, because he looks very bloody Irish in it. Everything from his outfit choice, to his expression, to his posture (he’s leaning against the countertop in one, leaning back in his chair, arms folded and feet out in front of him in the other) screams Irish uncle – and the internet has gone wild for it. 

Pictured alongside any number of different Irishisms you’d expect from your country dad/uncle/neighbour, we’ve rounded up some of the best #Mattieban memes we’ve seen over the past few days. 

He’s down with the kids.

Matt leBlanc – And who’s this lad ye do be listenin ta, Post Mahone is it? pic.twitter.com/PCpck2w4un

— Mick Lally (@MickLally_) May 29, 2021

Shur he could’ve done better himself.

Who did the plastering in here for you ? Jesus, he must have been after a few pints! #mattieban pic.twitter.com/QQiA9WugGf

— Simon Long (@simonolubhaing) May 31, 2021

A classic dad joke.

“You’re studying psychology so ya are? Well then, what am I thinking?” pic.twitter.com/vQWsOgk3aG

— The Durk™? (@aoifenidhurcain) May 29, 2021

We can all see this.

Matt LeBlanc looks like the Dad on Christmas that is happy to see you open your gifts even though he doesn’t know what any of them are cos your Mum got them all pic.twitter.com/h0lM3CEqPi

— Gem ? (@gemmlarh) May 29, 2021

A great analogy.

Matt LeBlanc looks like your uncle who will still be sharing the Matt LeBlanc meme on Facebook 6 months from now. pic.twitter.com/amZuj8DVkO

— Trinity Collidge Guy (@GlassHalfArsed) May 29, 2021

The cat that got the cream.

Matt LeBlanc looking like he won the raffle at the quiz and he’s after sending the grand-niece up with the ticket to collect the prize. pic.twitter.com/66ENcJHySc

— Ciarán ?? (@Call_Me_Ciaran) May 29, 2021

Joey’s famous catchphrase, but Irish.

“How *you* gettin on?” pic.twitter.com/eUtpLAurl8

— Peter McGann (@peterjmcgann) May 29, 2021

Twinkle, twinkle…

matt leblanc is your uncle when your parents forced your 6 year old self to stand up in front of the adults after a family dinner and sing a song you just learned in primary school pic.twitter.com/xjlwKDdArv

— e b o n i (@spiceslag) May 29, 2021

The IRL version of Irish mammies saying “bye, bye, bye” a million times before actually hanging up the phone.

Matt LeBlanc is 5 seconds away from slapping his knees and going “well we ought to make a move who’s ready to rock and roll” pic.twitter.com/WmAgtjjugX

— Saz (@sarahlostctrl) May 30, 2021

If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that this comment is a given when wearing ripped jeans.

‘And you paid for them jeans like that ya did, with all them holes already in them?’ pic.twitter.com/mpKFmuevfM

— spochadóir (@spochadoir) May 29, 2021

Even Simon Harris got involved… though not everyone was a fan of his contribution.

You won Simon. You ruined my night, so you could use an uncle Joey meme. Dear Lord, What a sad little life. pic.twitter.com/AIjUKg0GJX

— katie (@gowIish) May 29, 2021

In other Friends-related news, Courteney Cox treated us all to an updated version of the routine over the weekend. Yes, that routine… the one that she and David Schwimmer whipped out in honour of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Superfans of the show, the brother-sister duo were invited to be “party people” at a pre-New Year’s Eve filming by Janine, Joey’s dancer roommate. Unimpressed that they weren’t getting as much camera time as they’d hoped, they knew they’d have to do something special to get the crew’s attention. And something special they most certainly did. Performing a routine they first put together back in 8th grade, it worked a charm and landed them a prime spot on the coveted podium – little did they know the clip would be used exclusively for the bloopers reel though. 

With all things Friends still fresh in everyone’s minds, Cox decided it was time to take the routine out of hibernation once again. Teaming up with longtime pal Ed Sheeran for the dance, she shared the clip over on her Instagram writing, “just some routine dancing with a friend…”. The ending proved a little difficult, but otherwise, it’s a 10/10 from us. 

I can’t help but think that maybe Monica and Ross were ahead of their time… that is just the kind of thing that would have made them TikTok famous during lockdown. 

Feature image via @stagedreaction