December 18, 2007
Maxim's Ten Best Sidekicks
Honoring the Second Banana
From Ed McMahon to TV's Frank, from Mr. Bingley to Robin, I've long been fascinated by the literary role of the sidekick. He or she frees the hero to take center stage, and his friendship humanizes the hero. Some are more appealing than their heroes (c'mon, who didn't prefer Azrael to Gargamel?), and some round out their heroes' weaknesses (imagine the free-for-all the Enterprise would have been without Spock's calming influence.) Take a look at Maxim's picks and discuss your own favorites!
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I'll let my own second banana fill you in. LOUIS!!! GET IN HERE!!!
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Yesssssss, master?
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This grape. Peel it for me.
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Yesssssss, master.
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Nom.
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Yesssssss, master?
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Oh, yes. Please explain to the TUM-ster the dynamics of our relationship (but leave out the, you know, bedroom bits) and what makes it so awesome, lolsome etc. Then bake me a nice cherry pie.
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Yesssssss, master...
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*sighs* *sends Sidekick job ad to Guardian Online*
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*horks in cherry filling*
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paging Andy Richter to the thread... Andy Richter, are you out there?
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Sideshow Rahim!
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"Angry, angry young man."
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Joxer the mighty! (Youtube)
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And how could they leave out the Zeppo himself, Xander Harris? He was actually one of my least favorite Buffy characters, but even so, a damn fine sidekick.
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Joxer wasn't the sidekick - he was the comic relief. And considering the fact that there were no serious characters in the entire show, that was a pretty tough job which he performed brilliantly. Gabrielle was Xena's sidekick (with added subtext).
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Drat! I almost forgot Zorak.
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