The other day I was driving to work listening to the Howard Stern Show, (as I've done for easily 20 years) when I started thinking about Robin Quivers, who is Howard's sidekick on the show. She is more than a sidekick, really, but that's the role she plays. It occurred to me that she is an integral dynamic of the show. On her own, she might not be as strong, but without her the show would be missing an important element: balance, reasoning, women's logic, etc. The point is that while she is a sidekick, she is part of what makes it work. You know, it's the old "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts". This was the inspiration for another scintillating edition of The Saturday Seven: Famous Sidekicks That Matter 
#1 Robin, the Boy Wonder: I don't care what anyone says, Batman is always better with Robin.
#2 Dr Watson: The great Inspector Sherlock Holmes was saved many a time, by Dr Watson, who often helped with a critical piece of evidence to crack the case every time.
#3 Rocket J Squirrel, also known as Rocky, The Flying Squirrel. He was the brains and common sense to Bullwinkle, the mouse.
#3 Rocket J Squirrel, also known as Rocky, The Flying Squirrel. He was the brains and common sense to Bullwinkle, the mouse.
#4 Ed McMahon: The intro voice of the old Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He was corny, old fashioned and had a guffaw of a laugh, but he was the jelly to Carson's peanut butter.
#5 Tattoo: Of Fantasy Island. Mr Rourke ran the joint, but Tattoo sure did a lot for his "Boss"
#6 Woodstock: For a tiny bird that couldn't speak, he sure had a lot to do with Snoopy.
#7 Sonny (Bono): For many years Cher was with Sonny and they were a great pair. Cher of course went on to have a huge career after she and Sonny split, but I had to include them since Sonny was the former Mayor of Palm Springs and went on to be our Congressman.
#6 Woodstock: For a tiny bird that couldn't speak, he sure had a lot to do with Snoopy.
#7 Sonny (Bono): For many years Cher was with Sonny and they were a great pair. Cher of course went on to have a huge career after she and Sonny split, but I had to include them since Sonny was the former Mayor of Palm Springs and went on to be our Congressman.
What other famous sidekicks can you think of? Go ahead, leave a comment I'd love to hear from you.
-Rick Rockhill
19 comments:
I love mysteries, so I'd go with Hercules Poirot and Captain Hastings.
hmmm how about Paul Schaffer to David Letterman? Fun post today rick!
Don't forget Sancho Panza to Don Quixote, and Tonto to the Lone Ranger.
"I don't care what anyone says, Batman is always better with Robin." - Amen, sister! Amen!
Especially when Robin is Bert Ward. In the 60's. In those little green booties. :)
Burns and Allen, Laurel and Hardy, Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin, Maura and Stiller and of course, Luci and Desi.
I love Howard! I have been listening to him since the 80's back in NY. I agree about Robin, sometimes she annoys me, but it wouldn't be the same without her.
Good post, Burns and Allen maybe?
I love Howard! I have been listening to him since the 80's back in NY. I agree about Robin, sometimes she annoys me, but it wouldn't be the same without her.
Good post, Burns and Allen maybe?
(I apologize if this is posting twice, my computer did a funny thing, or I hit the wrong key)
I love Howard, I have been listening since the 80's in NY. Agreed the show would not be the same without Robin, although she does annoy me sometimes.
Tom and Jerry
first let me say i cannot imagine you listening to howard stern! ha ha ha
next, i'd sat norton to cramden on the honeymooners
desi to lucy of course
and sarge to me!
smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxxooxxo
Rick, I did not think you were the type to listen to Howard Stern :-o
I agree even further re Sherlock and Dr Watson because I think Jeremy Brett was the most suitable Sherlock with his odd mannerisms and brusqueness. Edward Hardwicke was the most intelligent Watson, which is what he should be, unlike that duo from the 40s which was just a farce even though the fellow who played Sherlock was well respected.
Also, David Suchet and Hugh Fraser are the best Poirot and Capt Hastings. There can be no other Poirot after Suchet, with his avuncular approach and his perfectionism, and the blustering Hastings with his accidental intelligence.
My favorite pair:
Bertie Wooster and Jeeves!!!
Again, unsurpassed by Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry.
And also Fry and Laurie the comedy duo before they personified Jeeves and Wooster.
What about patsy stony to edina "eddie" on absolutely fabulous??
Many, many dynamic duos! Although lots of the good ones are already mentioned... Eleanor and Franklin, Abbott and Costello, Fred and Barney, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, McMillan and Wife, Simon and Garfunkle. OMG -- I can't stop!!!
Philbin and Ripa. :)
Cagney and Lacey, Beanie and Cecil (you're probably too young to remember them), Laverne and Shirley, Thelma and Louise...oh this is addictive!!
Of course you listen to Howard Stern. Most intelligent people do. His humor can be lowclass, infantile, and vulgar, but it is also very smart. Robin is definitely a big part of the show's success, no question. THE NEWS BABY! LOL!
What about Electro Woman's Dyna Girl? Now THERE was a Sidekick?
Doctor Who is nothing without his companions. Granted I've only seen the new version because of my age,but I think in general everyone is better with someone they can rely on.
You can't do it all by yourself.
Really enjoyed this post Rick. Laurel and Hardy and Lucy and Desi spring to mind. They were another two famous sidekicks
Yeah, I know this is two years old, but who cares? I gotta agree with Olivia - there can be no Poirot after David Suchet. He IS Poirot.
For sidekicks - going cartoon on you...
The Wonder Twins (not really sidekicks since they're equal, but one couldn't work without the other)
Shego to Dr. Drakken, and
Ron Stoppable to Kim Possible
Garfield to Jon
Sebastian to Ariel
Robin Hood and Little John
Pooh and Tigger... and Piglet and Kanga and Roo and Eeyore and Owl
Penny and Brain
Pinky and the Brain
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