Mike Hannigan

Mike Hannigan is a fictional character from the popular US television sitcom "Friends" (1994-2004), played by Paul Rudd. He appeared in seventeen episodes of "Friends" and is known best in the series as a love interest of Phoebe Buffay (played by Lisa Kudrow) until the final season when they marry.

Background

Introduction of Character

Joey had forgotten to arrange a blind date for Phoebe, but claimed to have arranged a date with an old friend named Mike, despite not knowing anyone called Mike. Joey met Mike by simply shouting out the name "Mike" in Central Perk.

General

One of the reason's Mike and Phoebe seem to get along so well is the similarities in their personalities and Mike even says in his wedding vows that he loves Phoebe because she is "so wonderfully weird". An example of their shared child-like attitude is clear in "The One with Princess Consuela" (Season 10, Episode 14) when Mike changes his name to Crap Bag as a retort to Phoebe's name change.
We learn from the first time we meet Mike that, like his wife, he is quite musical as he explains on Joey's poorly arranged blind date that he recently left his job as an attorney to pursue his ideal career as a pianist.

Family

Mike first confesses his love for Phoebe in front of his parents, Theodore and Bitsi, after they voice their concerns about their son's choice of partner in "The One With Ross's Inappropriate Song" (Season 9, Episode 7). We learn in this episode that Mike has come from an upper class background as his parents live on the upper east side of New York on Park Avenue. On finding this out Rachel tells Phoebe she can't be herself and despite spending the whole evening trying to relate to his parents Phoebe does not win their approval. However, Mike makes it clear that it is only his parents who live this way when Phoebe walks into the apartment exclaiming "Oh my God, you're rich!"

Phoebe

After Joey first introduces Mike to Phoebe on the sham of a blind date in "The One with the Pediatrician" (Season 9, Episode 3) Phoebe and Mike begin a long relationship which temporarily ends when Phoebe learns Mike, having already been through one disastrous marriage, never wants to remarry. Mike then learns that Phoebe's first boyfriend, David, is planning to propose to her; he then changes his mind about marriage and proposes to Phoebe before David can. This proposal was rejected, as Phoebe only wanted to know that marriage was a possibility, but she and Mike become a couple again. They become officially engaged in "The One Where Rachel's Sister Baby-Sits". In the final season, the two are married in the street outside the Central Perk coffeehouse, with Monica as maid of honor, Rachel as a bridesmaid, Joey officiating (he was ordained over the internet for Monica and Chandler's wedding), Chandler giving Phoebe away and Ross holding Mike's beloved but smelly childhood dog as a groomsman.

Music

In the time that Mike is with Phoebe his jobs always revolve around his piano playing and his absences in episodes are often explained with "he's got a gig".
 Mike also plays piano at a Karaoke bar in "The One where Monica sings" (Season 9, Episode 13).

Reception

Mike was met with mixed views by fans. Some fans felt that Hannigan was an extraneous character who did not add much to the series, while others felt he added a sense of depth that was somewhat lacking at the time prior to his introduction.