Over the years, Friends has featured many recurring actors, but only a few of them successfully left a lasting impact on the fans. The introduction of recurring actors often gave the audience a breath of fresh air and therefore helped prevent the show from getting dull. Paul Rudd, who played the character of Mike Hannigan, is one such actor whom people still confuse to be a part of the main cast. There was one point when the Friends cast had nothing new to offer that didn’t sit well with the audience.

Enter Crap Bag! Fans were initially skeptical about Rudd’s entry into the Emmy Award-winning sitcom. However, the man single-handedly saved Friends from jumping the shark and set them back on the right foot. 

How Paul Rudd saved Friends

Rudd, popular for playing the superhero Antman in the MCU, made his entry into the David Crane and Marta Kauffman sitcom in the ninth season. This season was the least-favorite season of Friends owing to the awkward and forced love angle between Rachel and Joey. Even the actors, Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc, were against the plot and had a gut feeling that fans would not like it. And they were not wrong. Apart from that, the makers unnecessarily made Mondler fight again and again, which at a point became very ridiculous. 

Additionally, Ross’ quest to find partners was another embarrassing plot that the makers had been stretching ever since Ross and Rachel’s breakup. This was the time when the makers desperately needed a new angle to keep the audience coming back for more. The addition of Mike and his unconventional relationship with Phoebe is just what the show needed. Mike didn’t just have great chemistry with Phoebe, played by Lisa Kudrow, but also became one of the gang. However, the best part about Mike was he never tried to impose his friendship and always maintained his individuality on the show.

While sharing his experience working on the show, Rudd revealed how he felt strange on the set towards the show’s conclusion.

Paul Rudd felt strange on Friends’ sets

The actor went into detail about the final moments of the show, during an interview with Heart, and revealed how he felt strange being on the set of Friends. The 54-year-old appeared in 16 episodes but felt like he should not have been present in the final episode, as it was a very emotional day for all the cast members. The actor further went on to say ‘I’m getting a front-row seat to things I’m not supposed to see”, emphasizing how special the day was for the cast of six. 

He seemed to be in disbelief that he got to be a part of such an incredible show and added, “I never knew that I was going to be in as many episodes”. The actor was always aware that he wasn’t a part of the main cast and even called himself a “prop” in the show. However, the beloved action and rom-com star was grateful that he got to “be a part of something that has that kind of profound impact on pop culture”. 

Do you think Paul Rudd carried Friends in the latter half? Let us know in the comments below.