"Sidekicks are an enduring presence
because everybody needs one."
Sidekicks came to mind after I ran across a clipping in The Washington Post published in February 2006. The clip, TV Sidekicks, Second to None, by Amy Amatangelo, was sent to me in 2006 by my friend, Linda DuBuclet. A note reminding me of the conversation we had recently had about “second bananas,” another name for the person near the star, also playfully offered to be my sidekick when I make it to the big time.
A sidekick is more important than ever to help buffer the extremes of isolation, viral fame or media notoriety. Nearly everyone has a chance of experiencing either or both polar opposites in today’s electronically connected, yet often socially estranged world.
In the early Westerns, The Lone Ranger had Tonto. The Cisco Kid had Pancho and mid-century television paired Lucy and Ethel in I Love Lucy and Ralph and Ed in The Honeymooners. Old movies presented an endless number of star performers and their trusty sidekicks. Think Sherlock Holmes and Watson, the good guy’s team and partners in crime.
Sidekicks are an enduring presence because everybody needs one. Anyone who can boast of having a sidekick is blessed beyond measure. Everybody needs at least one someone who knows how to let him or her take the spotlight and truly shine.
The Post article describes the sidekick’s job this way. “It’s a very hard job,” said Andy Breckman, creator and executive producer of “Monk.” “I liken it to playing rhythm guitar. In some ways you just have to surrender yourself. You have to be very generous as a performer.” Who is your sidekick? If you are lucky enough to have one why don’t you share the story of how your relationship with your BFF came about.
Now, I must hurry and make the big time. Linda would make a great sidekick.