Ed McMahon defined the role of “sidekick.” Regis Philbin tried (with Joey Bishop), and Andy Richter is trying again (a second stint as Conan’s second banana), but no one holds that dual dynamic of humility and dignity that McMahon displayed nightly for 30 years.
Sadly, McMahon passed away this week. He possessed not only the ability to serve up straight lines for the comic genius of Johnny Carson, but also the blessed gift of perspective, once famously describing his career this way;
“I laugh for an hour and then go home. I’ve got the world’s greatest job.”
Vienna Teng is no second banana. Yes she has opened for Joan Baez, Shawn Colvin, and Marc Cohn, but unlike McMahon, her life’s work will not be defined by her support of others.; this folk-pop artist is the leader of the band.
Teng has recently released “Inland Territory” and the list of sidekicks she employed on the record include Kaki King, Ari Hest, and Gwen Stefani guitarist Kiyanu Kim.
Like McMahon, Teng is blessed with perspective. While others claim the heralded songwriter as “one to watch,” she echoes the King of the Second-Banana’s sentiment on her Twitter page bio.
“I (try to) write (good) songs and play them for people. It’s a pretty nice life.”
Infinity Music Hall & Bistro 