Cult-TV Theme Watch: Sidekicks

A sidekick is a character in a drama who is of lesser importance than the main protagonist, but who nonetheless accompanies or tags along with that lead character. 

Sidekicks have been a staple of cult television storytelling since the very beginning of the format, in part because they are useful sounding boards for exposition or back-story. A hero can frequently take the time to “explain” things to his or her sidekick, thus conveying crucial information to the audience at the same time.

One popular series, Doctor Who (1963 – 1989; 2005) -- perhaps inspired by Sherlock Holmes and the most famous sidekick of all, Dr. Watson -- has featured a rotating cast of sidekicks throughout the years, but termed them “Companions” instead. 

In the early, black-and-white days of the series, these companions were often present mostly to scream in terror, and to require rescuing from the Doctor.  That idea has changed dramatically over the years, and at least two companions have headlined their own spin-off series (Jack Harkness [John Barrowman] and Torchwood [2006 – 2011]) and Sarah Jane Smith [Elizabeth Sladen] in The Sarah Jane Adventures [2007 – 2011])

Another series that has often featured sidekicks is the bad-movie skewering Mystery Science Theater 3000.  This series features an astronaut Joel Robinson (Joel Hodgson) and later Mike Nelson trapped in orbit with several comedic robot sidekicks: Cambot, Gypsy, Tom Servo and Crow, specifically. 

Meanwhile, down on Earth (and later in space too…), the villains also have sidekicks or “second bananas.” TV’s Frank (Frank Coniff) is Dr. Clayton Forrester’s (Trace Beaulieu) sidekick, and Pearl Forrester (Mary Jo Pehl) is side-kicked by Professor Bobo (Kevin Murphy) and the Observer, Brain Guy (Bill Corbett).

Mad scientist, it seem often work with sidekicks.  Pinky is Brain’s sidekick on Pinky and the Brain, and Jay Robinson had Billy Barty’s help on Dr. Shrinker (1976 -1977).

Robot sidekicks like the ‘Bots are also often sidekicks on popular series.  Buck Rogers’ (Gil Gerard) sidekick was the robot Twiki (Mel Blanc/Frank Silla) in Buck Rogers in the 25^th Century (1979 – 1981).  And Muffitt the Daggit was a sidekick in the original Battlestar Galactica (1978 – 1979).

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003) devised a new terminology for the Chosen One’s high-school friends and sidekicks.  Together, they were all part of the “Scooby Gang,” a reference to Hanna-Barbera’s Scooby Doo, and the team of mystery investigators on the series.

Other, more conventional superhero programs have also featured sidekicks.  When cannot think of Batman without Robin, The Green Hornet without Kato, Superman without Jimmy Olsen, and the Lone Ranger without Tonto.