Michael Flaherty is the protagonist of Spin City. He is portrayed by Michael J. Fox.
Character[]
Mike is a quick-witted, smart aleck political strategist who lives for his job as Deputy Mayor of New York City. He grew up in the city as an only child raised by a single mother, Macy Flaherty,[1] where he attended Stuyvesant High School and later Fordham University.[3] Although Mike often uses humour and disarmament to mask it he has a very big heart and treats his staff more like family than employees. His drive to succeed often clashes with the romantic side of his personal life.
Story[]
Mike work as the campaign manager for Randall Winston in the latter's first mayoral run and, following their success, is hired by Winston as the Deputy Mayor. While Winston is the typical rich white male politician, who loves and thrives in the spotlight, he isn't that interested in playing the game, even frequently causing gaffes that Mike works around the clock to clean up. Another facet of Mike's political career becomes the increasingly tenuous relationship between the Mayor and his wife, which Mike does everything to sustain in order to avoid scandal. Despite his efforts, the Mayor does eventually divorce to little political fanfare as it doesn't impact public opinion of the administration.
Putting out fires is always high on his itinerary, but Mike's boyish charm and cynical precision in striking a deal are his main assets as he de facto runs the city behind the scenes. Although Mike tells the Mayor that he enjoys his position outside the spotlight, he also airs his desire to one day see what it would be like to run for office. For this reason, Mike also thrives whenever he is noticed by the public, such as when he is erroneously celebrated for saving a baby, when he is on the cover of New York Magazine or when he lets slip to the public that he's sleeping with Heidi Klum.[4]
Mike's career couldn't be any better, until in 2000 when he learns that Nikki is unknowingly dating a mobster, whom the entire staff including the Mayor has also befriended. A reporter intent on bringing down the Winston Administration gathers evidence on the Mayor's connection to the mobster, leading Mike to destroy his own career by taking the fall to save the Mayor. Mike is fired and privately thanked by the Mayor for his sacrifice. Following these events, Mike leaves New York for Washington, D.C. and becomes an environmental lobbyist. He meets a woman and they get married at New York City Hall in front of his former co-workers. In Washington D.C., he meets a Republican Senator from Ohio named Alex P. Keaton.
Photos[]
Episodes[]
Mike, as the protagonist, appears in every episode of the first four seasons. He returns for 3 guest appearances in Season 6.
- SEASON 6 (3/22)
- The Arrival
- A Tree Falls in Manhattan
- Wife with Mikey