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Millions of viewers across the world tuned in to the Friends reunion last week. The HBO Max special aired 17 years after its final episode, bringing the sitcom aficionados back to the screens.

For everyone’s amusement, the six beloved stars got back together one more time, but it was Joey Tribbiani, played by 53-year-old Matt LeBlanc, that stole the spotlight. His grey hair, casual striped shirt, laid-back pose, and “how you gettin’ on?” sort of facial expression have won the hearts of the internet as people dubbed him “an Irish uncle with a heart of gold.”

The comparison instantly hit Twitter users, where Matt became a meme embodying all the awesome uncles, great uncles, ubiquitous uncles, probably Irish but not exclusively, that every family deserves to have one of in their circle.

Image credits: spochadoir

Image credits: noclarity74

Bored Panda reached out to Spochadóir, a Twitter user from Longford, Ireland who was among the first to tweet a humorous post about the internet’s beloved uncle Matt. “Never has a childhood of growing up in rural Ireland better prepared me for something more than it’s prepared me for this Matt LeBlanc being your uncle meme,” he tweeted, amassing 6.4k likes.

Spochadóir told us that he actually didn’t see the special, but saw a few photos online. “It’s lovely to see them back together, though, I think they were a big part of a lot of people’s childhood or adolescence growing up and it’s nice to see they still get on with each other.”

“I would’ve seen Matt a bit more than the rest in other shows he’s done recently, but he looked great and the fella’s an absolute gent,” he added.

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When asked about the uncle Matt meme, the Twitter user explained that “Essentially, it was really just the way that Matt was dressed and how he carried himself, particularly when he was sitting with the rest of the cast, it was just that particular look he had about him.”

Spochadóir added that Matt’s look in the reunion is quite hard to describe, as he didn’t think much about it “other than ‘Jaysus, he looks like just about every auld lad I know.’”

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Bobert Robertson
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This belongs on the list of oddly specific things from yesterday

The Twitter user believes that what made Matt’s reunion photo go viral was definitely its relatability. “Irish people latched on to it, but I think having an uncle, da or father figure who likes to pick on their nieces and nephews in a well-mannered way a bit is very universal, it’s just how a lot of them show their love I suppose,” Spochadóir said and added that “It’s definitely just something a lot of people can relate to regardless of their cultural background.”

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Jimmydeluxx
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. Met a man like this. In Roscrea, Ireland. In a local bar, was there on my way to the airport to go home. Great conversation, still think about it sometimes. Like now

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Raven DeathShade
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can anybody please explain to me what pansexual is? I've heard it many times, but I have next to no clue what it means.

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Janus Sanders
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it's when you can become attracted to people no matter what their pronouns are. i hope this helps :)

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Scagsy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha! He looks more at home there than some of those other fellas.

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Marianne
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am not Irish, but I have an uncle who totally looks like him. :D

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MustardLemon
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And the present ends up being a Jojo Siwa hairclip he got you 4 years ago but forgot to give to you, and you are an18 year old. True story

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