Chandler Bing

Chandler Bing
Friends character
Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing
First appearance	"The Pilot" (episode 1.01)
Last appearance	"The Last One Part 2" (Friends)
Created by	David Crane Marta Kauffman
Portrayed by	Matthew Perry
Information
Nickname(s)	Bing, Bing-A-Ling, Bob, C (By Joey, No more J and C’s.,The One Where Ross Hugs Rachel) , Chalala, Chan, Chan-Chan Man, Chandelier Bing – BING!, Chandy, Channy, Channy-Fanny, Chauncey, Clint, Dennis, Duck, Gene, John Markson, Laundry, Mark Johnson, Mr. Big, Mr. Bigot, Boss Man Bing (by Phoebe), Miss Chanandler Bong (TV Guide subscription label), Roland Chang, Skidmark, The Dropper, The Funny One, Toby, Sir Limps a Lot, Transpondster, Sorry (by Phoebe, "Tell Monica I'm Sorry."), Some Guy ("The One With the Blackout")Mondler.
Occupation	Statistical analysis executive (1989–2002) Junior advertising copywriter (2003–present)
Family	Nora Bing (mother) Charles Bing (father)
Spouse(s)	Monica Geller (dating. May 1998-May 2001) (m. 2001-present)
Children	Erica Bing (adopted daughter, with Monica, born May 6, 2004) Jack Bing (adopted son, with Monica, born May 6, 2004)
Relatives	Ross Geller (brother-in-law) Rachel Green-Geller ( sister-in-law) Jack Geller (father-in-law) Judy Geller (mother-in-law) Ben Geller (godson) Emma Geller-Green (niece) Unnamed Grandfather Unnamed Grandmother

Chandler Muriel Bing^[1] is a fictional character from the NBC sitcom Friends, portrayed by Matthew Perry.^[2]

Background

Chandler Muriel Bing was born on April 8, 1968, to an erotic novelist mother and a Las Vegas drag star father and is of Scottish ancestry. He is apparently from an affluent family, as he mentions his family hired servants such as a pool boy and a house boy (both of whom he suspects slept with his father); and Phoebe scornfully remarks in one episode, "Did the little rich boy have a problem with the butler?" Chandler's parents announced their divorce to him over Thanksgiving dinner when he was nine years old, an event which causes him to refuse to celebrate the holiday in his adulthood. It's revealed in The One Without The Ski Trip that Chandler had started smoking at the age of 9 because of their divorce. Chandler was Ross Geller's roommate in college. Chandler met Ross' sister, Monica Geller, and her friend, Rachel Green, while celebrating Thanksgiving with the Geller family during his first year at college. On a tip from Monica, Chandler later moved to Apartment #19 in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, across the hall from Monica and her roommate Phoebe Buffay. In apartment #19, Chandler's roommate was Joey Tribbiani.

Catch Phrases

Chandler's main Catch phrase is "Could that BE any more....." and frequently saying in his own characteristic way "Oh my God!", a trait which he shares with his on and off romantic interest Janice Hosenstein (Maggie Wheeler).

Love Relationships

Monica Geller

At Ross and Emily's wedding in London, Monica and Chandler sleep together and begin dating. Monica and Chandler try keeping their relationship secret, not sure how the others will react but eventually they all found out.

Joey discovers minor details about their subsequent lies after their first weekend away together, Rachel overhears a phone conversation, Phoebe and Rachel see them together from Ross's new apartment across the street. Joey kept the secret at first, after Rachel and Phoebe found out about it, the two girls tried provoking them to admit that they were in a relationship. Correspondingly, Monica and Chandler try getting them to admit that they knew and a battle broke out (with Joey as the go-between). This ended with Phoebe and Chandler supposedly intending to sleep together, but Chandler cracked and admitted his love for Monica, which she returned. The two move in together at the beginning of Season 6, Chandler proposes by the end of the season, and they get married at the end of Season 7. Their wedding is officiated by Joey, who is ordained over the Internet. In the final episode, Monica and Chandler adopt twins due to their inability to conceive.

Chandler also has problems with Monica's ex-boyfriend, Richard (portrayed by Tom Selleck), whom he and Joey had briefly idolized for his manliness before Chandler and Monica started dating. Monica had previously viewed Richard as the love of her life which further adds to Chandler's insecurities. The biggest problem with Richard occurs when Chandler wants to propose to Monica, and Richard confesses his love for her. Monica initially considers re-uniting with her former lover (partly due to Chandler pretending to be disinterested in getting married to throw Monica off track when he did propose). However, Richard eventually backs down letting Chandler marry her, realizing he missed his chance.

Monica also sometimes gets on Chandler's nerves because of her bossiness, neatness and overly competitive nature. This forces Chandler into several situations, such as Monica being unable to throw a game of tennis against Chandler's boss and Chandler's having to hide the fact that he is incredibly good at ping-pong to stop Monica entering them in doubles-tournaments. Monica also is the dominant one in the relationship and Chandler frequently submits to her wishes. In the alternate reality episode of "The One that Could Have Been", Monica is still fat and Chandler does not show much interest in her. However, when Monica's current boyfriend gets called away during dinner, they sleep together and Chandler falls in love with her, so the two end up together anyway.

Jack and Erica Bing

Twins Jack and Erica appear in the final episode, on May 6, 2004, when biological mother Erica (Anna Faris) gives birth. Everyone, except the doctor, is shocked as Erica has not realized she was expecting twins. Erica said, that at an antenatal appointment, the doctor had said "both heartbeats sound strong" and assumed he meant hers and the baby's. Chandler and Monica are a little shocked and discuss having the other baby adopted by someone else but adopt both when Monica says that they could not split them up. Jack is named after Monica's father and Erica after her biological mother. They are shown in Apartment 20, with the rest of the group before leaving for their new home in West Chester.

Janice Litman Goralnik (née Hosenstein)

Before his relationship with Monica, Chandler has an on-and-off relationship with Janice Hosenstein (Maggie Wheeler). She is a regular feature in his life, even though he regretted dating her and kept ending their relationship in season 1. In season 2, Chandler spends a lot of time chatting to a woman online who reveals that her husband is having an affair. When they agree to meet, it is revealed that the woman is Janice. They passionately kiss and their relationship continues into Season 3. Joey admits to hating Janice but decides to try to get along with her since Chandler really falls for her this time. Unfortunately Joey sees her kissing her ex-husband and father of her baby and tells Chandler, who confronts Janice. Feeling that she should give her marriage another chance as they had a child, she ends things with Chandler. They reunite later in the series and Chandler wants to end things again and unsure how to do it, tells her that he is moving to Yemen. Janice tells Chandler she wants to see him off at the airport so he actually has to go to Yemen.

However, Janice makes further appearances later in the series. She briefly dates Ross and invites herself to Chandler's and Monica's wedding. In order to prevent this, Monica interjects that Chandler still loves her and that she shouldn't go to the wedding. Janice, not wanting to ruin Chandler and Monica's marriage, decides to leave but asks him to call her when the marriage breaks up. He uses the same excuse in Season 10 when purchasing a house and realizing that Janice was attempting to buy the house next door. In season 8, when Rachel is giving birth to Ross's baby, Janice is wheeled in to her room to give birth to her own baby.

Friendships

Ross Geller

Ross and Chandler have been best friends since college where they were roommates. They made pacts of girls they shouldn't sleep with, were in a band together, had weird hair, were great friends, and Chandler went to Ross's house for Thanksgiving. Ross and Chandler frequently go out to play racquet ball and basketball. They also get bullied together and stand up to the bullies, who steal Chandler's hat. In "The One with the Football", Ross picks Chandler as his first player, despite Rachel being his girlfriend at the time. Ross sometimes describes Chandler as his best friend and Chandler vice versa. Chandler was the first person to know about Ross' secret love for Rachel.

Joey Tribbiani

Until Chandler moves in with Monica, he shares an apartment with his joint best friend Joey Tribbiani. Chandler and Joey's apartment is an important focal point for the series as one of the few meeting areas of the gang. The two form a close and enduring friendship, and get into many humorous situations. Their adventures include: losing Ross's infant son (Ben) on a bus; Chandler's dismay at Joey building an "entertainment unit" which is so big, it partially covers their bedroom doors; buying a chick and a duck (affectionately named "The Chick and The Duck"); and replacing their dining table with a foosball table. A famous running gag suggests they are like an old married couple when they argue, with Chandler usually assuming the wife's role. Although in one episode when Joey's new roommate, Janine, has redecorated - Joey takes the more woman-like role of their argument with comments such as "Why would you say that? It's just mean!" and "It's not what you said; it was the way you said it", due to Janine's feminine qualities rubbing off on Joey.

The two start off on the wrong foot when Chandler is looking for a roommate when Joey said that he "was cool with the gay thing" (Joey assuming Chandler was gay). Joey comes to fill the slot, only Chandler had already chosen a roommate – a fashion photographer with a porn-star sister. But after Mr Heckles (the grumpy old man in the apartment below Monica and Rachel) tells the photographer that he is Chandler's new roommate, the photographer leaves disappointed. This forces Chandler to give the keys to Joey and they find out they had a lot in common, including sports and beer. Joey also introduces Chandler to watching the women of Baywatch (especially Yasmine Bleeth and Nicole Eggert).

Chandler often supports Joey throughout the show, paying the rent, paying for Joey's headshots, and buying most of the food. Joey tries to repay Chandler by giving him the only ticket to the première of his new movie. Unfortunately, Chandler falls asleep. Later that episode, Joey insists on paying back every penny that he owes Chandler until he realizes exactly how much he owes him. He then dismisses it saying "So what, you fell asleep during my première." However, in the alternate reality of "The One that Could Have Been" these roles are reversed as Chandler struggles with finances while Joey rakes in the money. At one point in this episode, Joey helps out Chandler by allowing Chandler to be his assistant. The relationship between the two is very balanced as Joey looks to Chandler as his intellectual superior while Chandler acknowledges Joey as the stronger, manlier counterpart, especially when it comes to getting women.

Rachel Green

Chandler and Rachel are good friends, although like the two other men in the group, Chandler finds her attractive. In "The One With The Boobies" Chandler accidentally walks in on Rachel showering with nothing to cover herself with and sees her breasts, causing her to jokingly resent him for the episode. Ross suggests that in order to make up for Chandler seeing her naked, Chandler must show her his penis, although he declines. Rachel then attempts to look at his penis by pulling back the curtain while he's showering, however Joey turns out to be the one in the shower. Since Rachel saw Joey's penis, Joey must then see her breasts, so the cycle continues while Chandler laughs at the sidelines. Chandler attempts many times to initiate a relationship with Rachel before he falls for Monica, including a high school party years before when he makes out with Rachel and ends up kissing her breaking his and Ross's pact.

Phoebe Buffay

He and Phoebe are very good friends, & sometimes they are goofy and have fun with one another. In "The One with the Metaphorical Tunnel", Phoebe and Chandler play hide and seek. They also play games, like coming up with Superhero names and reclining the Barcaloungers like cowboys. They share a duet of "Endless Love" at the end of one episode, when Chandler is sad after a breakup with Janice. They spend a Thanksgiving pretending to watch football together to get out of helping to cook dinner, that Monica is preparing. They share a distaste for Monica's aggressive side, and instead of being angry at Phoebe for firing Monica as her wedding planner during the rehearsal dinner, he chuckles and raises his glass. Chandler jokes about everyone including Phoebe, making references to her being an alien from outer space in "The One with All the Resolutions" in Season 5. ("A plane? Better make it a space ship so you can get back to your home planet.") She seems to enjoy toying with him more as the seasons progress. In "The One Where Everyone Finds Out", she tries to trick him into believing that she is attracted to him, but Monica tells him that Phoebe finds him charming in a "sexless" way, indicating that any hints towards romance are jokes. She and Chandler face off in a seduction match they both know is a farce, with Chandler visibly more shaken, though Phoebe is also uncomfortable. They share an awkward kiss and Chandler almost touches her breast but awkwardly moves his hand to her shoulder. He pulls away, saying that Phoebe has won and he is in love with Monica. On some occasions, Phoebe jokes that she has romantic feelings for Chandler, as in "The One Where Ross Meets Elizabeth's Dad" when Phoebe tells Chandler that she will be waiting for him to make a move on her. In "The One With The Tea Leaves", Phoebe reads her tea leaves and learns that she will soon meet the man of her dreams. She says, "Probably not the guy I had a dream about last night" and then points towards Chandler and mouths the word "you". In "The One With All the Football" she throws Chandler off guard by flashing him. Chandler also asks Phoebe to help him select an engagement ring for Monica after she walks in on him looking at ring brochures. Chandler gives Phoebe away when she marries Mike, although Chandler is the only member of the group available; originally, Joey would have given her away but he is called on to perform the ceremony (he was ordained online for Monica and Chandler's wedding in season 7). Chandler tells her that she looks "beautiful", and she seems happy, waving and saying "Hi, new dad!". He and Monica play a role in getting Mike and Phoebe back together in Barbados. They also spend time together in "The One with the East German Laundry Detergent", both trying to dump their significant others; Phoebe points out that they should spend more time together. He responds that maybe later they can run over puppies, which she tells him she does not want to do. However, she breaks up with Janice on his behalf, and he states that they should always break up together, to which she responds, "I'd like that!". She also decides that she would name one of the surrogate children of her brother after Chandler after trying to decide between the name Chandler or Joey. Much to Chandler's embarrassment, the baby named Chandler turns out to be a girl, whom Alice calls "Channy Fanny". Phoebe is the initial reason that Chandler quit smoking in "The One With the Thumb", after an argument between the group about his smoking he is leaving the apartment when she offers him $7,000 never to smoke again.

Career

Chandler works as an IT procurement manager with the specialization "Statistical analysis and data reconfiguration," which he began as temporary work and, although he has worked in the industry for years, thoroughly loathes. It is seen in many exterior shots that he works at the Solow Building. ^[3] His friends do not understand his profession; during a trivia game they cannot identify his job, with Rachel calling him a "transponster".^[4] Monica admits repeatedly that she doesn't pay attention when he talks about his work, but finally learns when he quits in Season 9, although he mentions his job title in "The One with the Cooking Class," a job which inspired Chandler's oft-referenced office slang word "WENUS" (Weekly Estimated Net Usage System), as well as the "ANUS" (Annual Net Usage Statistics). Because of this job, Chandler, with Ross, is the most financially well-off. He reveals in one episode to have a large, unspecified sum of money which he has saved for six years. He is also shown to hold a position of authority in his company. However, Chandler was unable to simply quit his job as it was his nature to avoid ending anything forcefully, be it his job, a relationship, or even his membership with a gym.

Chandler tried quitting in Season 1, but was lured back by a huge raise on top of the yearly bonus structure. During one meeting, Chandler falls asleep and on waking, realizes that his boss has chosen him to head the new division in Tulsa. On Christmas Day, Chandler quits his job so that he can fly home to New York to be with Monica. Monica helps Chandler secure a job in advertising through an old college friend of hers. Much to Chandler's dismay, the job is as an intern, which leaves him in the awkward position of working alongside people who are significantly younger than he. However, his more mature approach eventually pays off for him compared to the other interns, and he secures a full-time job in the business as a junior copywriter when he only expected to receive an assistant position. The company concluded that he would be better suited for a more senior role.

In an alternate reality storyline during the show ("The One that Could Have Been"), Chandler did quit his job and works as a freelance writer, specializing in comics.

References

External links

• Character biography at the Internet Movie Database