I grew up in the country and there weren’t a lot of other kids around to play with. So I spent much of my childhood watching television. Lots and lots of television.
I couldn’t help but notice that pretty much every main character had a sidekick, a loyal, trusted companion, who would share their adventures. Batman had Robin, The Lone Ranger had Tonto, Lucy Ricardo had Ethel Mertz, Wild Bill Hickok had Jingles, bus driver Ralph Kramden had Ed Norton, and Sheriff Andy Taylor had Deputy Barney Fife. Even Fred Flintstone had faithful neighbor Barney Rubble.
RELATED: Check out more stories on faith and culture from Ken Lass.
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I always had a soft spot in my heart for these second bananas.
They often did most of the work, took the risks and made excuses covering for the hero, often pulling them out of a jam. Yet they seldom received credit and admiration for their efforts. They were never the big stars. The shows were not named after them.
But they didn’t seem to mind. They just seemed to get joy out of helping someone else look good, be successful and receive attention.
What happened to modern TV heroes?
Modern TV heroes don’t seem to have loyal sidekicks anymore.
Maybe it’s just a reflection of the self-gratifying culture that has gradually become prevalent in our world. We’re the worse for it. In their own unique way, they taught us to place the happiness of others ahead of our own.
Barney Fife may have been a bumbling, mistake-prone helper, but no one could doubt his love and dedication to his best friend Andy. Often he would put himself in harm’s way, but he always meant well, and his faith was unwavering even though, in the end, Andy came out looking like the wise and superior partner.
We would do well to be somebody’s sidekick.
In Luke 18:14 Jesus compares the Pharisee, who thought of himself as the main character, to the tax collector, who humbly offered to submit himself to God.
Jesus said, “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
So be the Robin to somebody’s Batman today. God knows who the real heroes are.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Ken Lass is a retired Birmingham television news and sports anchor and an award-winning columnist for numerous publications and websites.
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