It is perhaps fitting that former Tonight Show sidekick Ed McMahon passed away just as the second heir to Johnny Carson’s throne has been seated. While the genre of the late night sidekick was in existence before Ed McMahon, he’s the one who raised it to an art form.
One of the most striking moments of Conan O’Brian’s return to television was that he brought with him his left-side man, Andy Richter, who was beloved but who decided to follow his own path in 2000. Although Richter isn’t seen next to O’Brian’s desk, he largely serves as the show’s announcer and appears in comedy skits.
For his part, McMahon also took on announcer duties. He was genially regarded as Carson’s professional laugher, and generally stayed on stage along with the show’s guests, sliding down the couch a little farther with each introduction. It was good to know he was there, anchoring the show opposite Carson; for those of us who are children of the ‘80’s, his avuncular presence was a necessary component of Star Search and TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes.
In the current eat ‘em up and spit ‘em out reality show culture, McMahon appears to have made a living from being famous to the Gen Y eye, what with his enormous American Family Publishers checks and his popping up alongside M.C. Hammer in Cash for Gold spots. But what lies underneath the self-deprecating sense of humor which marked his later years is a war hero’s history: Ed McMahon was a Marine pilot during World War II, and remained active in the Marine Reserves. He retired as a full colonel.
But American Icons, however, whether they have a catchphrase or not, don't retire. They're part of the culture; part of us.
