Sidekicks get a bad rap. Too often they are thought of as second-stringers, window dressing that frames the main attraction.  Commonly, well known duos (dynamic or otherwise) are invoked to describe the relationship between the supporter and the supportee, see: "Pippen to his Jordan" and "Peanut Butter to her Chocolate".

Just like Pippen and peanut butter, the supporter is important, but never critical. To my recollection, though, MJ didn’t win a championship with the Wizards and my ex-girlfriends never got through our breakups without some Jiff tag-teaming that Hershey’s.

One perfect example of a superstar who falls on his face every so often when he goes it alone is Lips Jagger. I dare you to name one of his solo tracks that you would choose to hear over anything he and Keith have done together... If you are thinking "Dancing in the Street" I want to punch you, and then remind you that Jagger needed the help of Super "Friend" David Bowie to "get it done". And then punch you again. 

Pippen, PB and Richards aren’t the only examples of undervalued sidekicks.

Johnny Carson’s quips fell on wary customers without the chuckle of Ed McMahon to sell them.

Sherlock Holmes is just an eccentric know-it-all without Watson as his foil.

Ron Howard would get called Opie even more often if not for Brian Grazer’s imagination.

An NFL broadcast with John Madden never made as much sense as it did when Pat Summerall was there to cover Madden’s blindside.

And last, without Spock, Kirk became a roaming gnome who thinks karate is a form of negotiation. Embarrassing.

I feel like sidekicks are touted as the homosapien version of pantyhose, just there to cover up some blemishes, nicks and bruises. I offer up another undergarment example, a more appropriate one that doesn’t simply cover some flaws but turns weakness into asset: A piece of clothing that can make something out of practically nothing, give new life to the washed up and turn good into great. That special spark for so many, the wonderful, wonderful, Wonder Bra.

Seriously, sidekicks are just like wonder bras, filling voids and supporting the superstars of society. Without them, just as without sidekicks, the world would be worse off.

So, I raise my glass to the idea that I will find my Robin and that she will get the credit she eternally deserves.