The death on Tuesday of Ed McMahon got us talking today during my weekly appearance on the Lee Elci morning show on WXLM-FM (8:30-9 a.m., every Wednesday) about Great Sidekicks in History (AKA Famous Second Bananas).

McMahon, of course, was sidekick to the King of Late Night, Johnny Carson for 30 years. McMahon set the standard in the world of sidekickdom, as he always provided the perfect set up, served as the ultimate straight man, and was counted on to laugh even when no one else did.

Being the second banana is sort of a lost art in this day and age. Sure, David Letterman has Paul Shaffer, but Shaffer serves as bandleader in addition to sidekick (don’t forget Carson had Doc Severinsen for that role) and pretty much never gets to leave his spot behind the keyboards. Conan O’Brien has brought Andy Richter back to his side for his ascension to the Tonight Show throne, but unlike in the old days, Richter has not been allowed up on the dais with the Boss, and instead is relegated to a podium off to the side.

McMahon - at least on the outside -seemed perfectly content to carve his niche out of being Number 2. He used that spot to launch all sorts of secondary (and lucrative) careers, as product pitchman, spokesman, host of Star Search, etc., etc. I believe the shortage of excellent sidekicks in the 21st century is directly tied to all children who play youth soccer being declared “the winner” and receiving medals. If everyone is a “winner,” then no one comes in second. The sidekick has to want to come in second.

Too, there’s a difference between sidekick and straight man. Some great straight men include Carl Reiner for Mel Brooks, Dick Smothers for Tommy Smothers and Dean Martin for Jerry Lewis. The difference, I think, is that the star could get by without the sidekick, but these acts could not succeed without the straight man.

There are tons of great sidekicks outside the real world as well: “Hey Now” Hank Kingsley (Jeffrey Tambor) to Larry Sanders (Garry Shandling); and Jerry Hubbard (Fred Willard) to Barth Gimble (Martin Mull) on Fernwood 2 Nite.

How about Batman and Robin, Dr. Smith and The Robot, Barney Fife, Mini Me, Donkey, Rhoda, Mr. Spock, Ethel, Chewbacca, and Norton?

In the world of animation, there’s Fred and Barney, Yogi and Boo Boo, Secret Squirrel and Morocco Mole, Speedy Gonzalez and Slowpoke Rodriguez, and of course, Jonny Quest and Haji.

What do you think? Was Ed McMahon the last of a dying breed? And who are your favorite sidekicks?