TV Talk Show Sidekicks

TV Talk Show Sidekicks The era of the TV sidekick seems to have come to an end. Before, many famous talk show hosts such as Ed McMahon always had an ever faithful sidekick right by their side. They played second banana, participating in jokes and pranks, and often being the recipient of such hijinks. It's not easy being the wingman or second in command. It's a position that requires humility and finesse. You have be humble and somewhat servile; you have to be a buddy even if you are the brunt of the jokes. Today, the trusted sidekick is something of a rare specimen. Some have chalked it all up to the digital age. Today we have HD TVs, thousands of shows on satellite TV and the whole second man act really doesn't capture our attention so easily.

Besides, many shows actually let the audience participate by blogging, texting or even calling in. Often audience members are chosen to share the stage, ever so briefly, with the host; they take over the role that was once relegated to the sidekick. However, a revival may be in the makings. Conan O'Brian, that tall drink of water, is bringing back his lovable pal Andy Richter who used to sit side couch with the host in NY. Soon he'll be right back at it in LA. In the meantime, you can reminisce over these classic talk show sidekicks. Catch the highlights on satellite TV. Ed McMahon virtually invented the role of talk show sidekick. Before he started doing the New Year's countdown in HD and before he hawked incredibly large checks for Publisher's Clearing House, McMahon played second banana to the legendary Johnny Carson for an incredible run of thirty years. He developed the role of the second person sitting on the couch, pitching jokes and setting up Carson. Really, without Ed, Carson's show would have been quite different. McMahon's trademark exclamation Heeeeeeerrrrrre's Johnny has become a pop culture catchphrase. Peggy Cass was an actress, comedienne and game show panelist. She is most known though as being Jack Paar's second fiddle on the Tonight Show. Cass filled in as announcer on the show during the 1970s. She clowned around like the best of them. Cass later went on to be a regular on the quiz show circuit. You can still catch some of her performances on satellite TV. Regis Philbin, before he went on to host his own show, started off as the sidekick on the Joey Bishop Show. Bishop was fond of teasing the young Philbin; once Bishop's teasing went too far and Philbin walked off the set during a live broadcast. However, as we all know, Regis has made it to the top ranks and is one of the most enduring talk show hosts around. More recent sidekicks usually also double as band leaders. For example, Paul Shaffer, the musical director on the Tonight Show, often lends David Letterman a hand in some of his jokes; he's also there for moral support and banter. Max Weinberg, drummer on Conan, takes up the same role, especially since the departure of Richter. Despite their waning popularity, there will always be a role for the trusty, steadfast friend and clown. TV Talk Show Sidekicks