Michael Tribbiani is a fictional character on the friends television spin-off Joey (2004-2006), played by Paulo Costanzo.
History
Michael is the only child of Gina Tribbiani, for the first 21 years of his life he had no idea who his father was. Michael is intellectually brilliant, obvious MIT-material, responsible, and considerate. But majorly lacks social skills (mainly confidence) and hence a 'nerd' no girl is smart enough to appreciate.
Joey, Season 1
When Joey moved to LA Michael jumped at the oppertunity to move out of his mothers house after 20 years. By living with Joey Michael hopes to gain skills for picking up women. Michaels inability to notice women is shown in Joey and the Fancy Sister when he is completly oblivious to a girl who likes him.
In Joey and the Road Trip it is revealled that Michael goes to Vegas and counts cards, this however stops at the end of the episode when he is caught out.
Throughout this season Joey's Agent Bobby had a facination with Michael, this is put to a stop by Gina in the seasons finale.
Joey, Season 2
Relationships
Family
Michael is the only son of Gina Tribbiani and Jimmy Costa. Michael is very close with his uncle Joey and see's him as an inspiration when it comes to picking up women. Michael doesn't seem to have a close relationship with his Aunts, evidenced by the fact that he can never figure out which Tribbiani girl is which (Joey and the Fancy Sister). Michael appears to have a happy relationship with his grandfather.
Female Relationships
Due to Michael personality and lack of confidence Michael has had very little female relationships. Michael dated Joey's script editor, Chris, for a while to whome he first had sex with. When Chris broke up with Michael, Joey took him to Tijuana where he met a sexy girl, however it is unknown wether he slept with her.
Personality
Michael is self-conscious that he has been so sheltered and that his mother, Gina, breast fed him until he was seven. He is a huge Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Wars fan. He is extremely intelligent, an aerospace engineer, attends Caltech and specializes in applied thermodynamics, works with his rival Seth frequently on engineering projects, and is an obvious direct opposite from his more street-wise mother and uncle.
Michael idolizes his Uncle Joey's ability to date many women, and who himself is sheltered and nervous around girls.
Age
Michael's age was first defined by Joey in the first episode.
His age throughout the series was; 1 (20-21), 2 (21-22)
Michael was 20 years old throughout series 1. He was 21 in series 2 until Jimmy Costa and Gina decided to move in together. Jimmy was complaining about Michael's needs. Michael later stated that it was his birthday, meaning that he was at this point, 22.
Trivia
- Michael is very weak as in the episode "Joey and the Wrong Name" he could not do a real push-up or a real chin-up and he only beat Joey in a arm wrestle with two hands and still he had trouble doing it.