Second Helpings

Joe Biden, Ethel Mertz, Tonto, Ron Weasley, Ed McMahon, The Bad Cop, Rhoda Morgenstern – dependable sidekicks all.

The recent sad news of Valerie Harper’s ill health has me thinking about sidekicks.

Wikipedia says sidekicks can perform one or multiple functions, providing a counterpoint to the hero, an alternate point of view, or knowledge, skills, or anything else the hero does not have. Such as a love of processing invoices. But I digress.

TV sidekicks usually play a supporting role to the star. I like to think that’s what I do at Buchanan Public Relations. And, in a first for seconds, this spring’s meeting of the Public Relations Global Network will acknowledge the role of the second-in-command by offering a separate track for us. I can’t wait to spend time with my fellow second bananas from around the globe. I’m sure our sessions will be second to none.

But seriously though, there are a few important tricks of the trade that I hope we’ll explore. Here’s how I think of them:

• The Tonto – I’ve got your back, Kemosabe.
• The Bad Cop – Nobody’s favorite, but every once in a while you just gotta do what you gotta do.
• The Ed McMahon – Ask guiding questions (and when you can’t think of any, laugh heartily).
• The Rhoda – Speak up when necessary. Sometimes you have to tell a girl she has lipstick on her teeth.
• The Joe Biden – Don’t be a loose cannon.  See “The Tonto” above.

You get the picture, although I’m sure I can think of more – just give me a second.