In late-night TV, second-bananas not second-rate: Some highlights over the years

In late-night TV, second-bananas not second-rate

Some second bananas who have brightened late-night TV:

—Dagmar: Bombshell who became a household name in the early 1950s on “Broadway Open House”; her dumb blonde act became so popular she received 2,000 fan letters a week. The show was hosted by Jerry Lester and Morey Amsterdam, later of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” fame.

—Louis Nye, Don Knotts, Tom Poston, others: On “Tonight” and his later talk shows, Steve Allen established a cadre of talented comics instead of a single sidekick. Knotts was the nervous nebbish, Nye the suave, overconfident guy bellowing, “Hi-ho, Steverino!” and Poston a man so unnerved by the camera that he couldn’t remember who he was.

—Hugh Downs: Worked as Jack Paar’s second banana on “Tonight” from 1957 until Paar’s departure in 1962. Once famously kept the show running single-handedly after the mercurial Paar stormed off the air in mid-show in a dispute with the network. Downs’ long TV career includes stints on “Today,” ”20-20″ and the game show “Concentration.”

—Ed McMahon: Paired with Johnny Carson during his full run on “Tonight,” 1962 to 1992. Made “H-e-e-e-e-e-ere’s Johnny!” an indelible catch phrase.

—Regis Philbin: Bantered with Joey Bishop for two years in the late 1960s on ABC’s answer to Carson, “The Joey Bishop Show.” It was Philbin’s first prominent TV role, and he recalled it as “my introduction to the highly competitive late-night show world.” Philbin is now cited in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most broadcast hours logged by a TV personality — breaking the record held by another former second-banana, Hugh Downs.

—Arthur Treacher: Merv Griffin’s announcer and sidekick, who would introduce “Meeeer-vin!” An English-born actor, he typically played the quintessential butler/valet in movies, including several with Shirley Temple. He also had a fish-and-chips chain named after him.

—Andy Richter: Worked with Conan O’Brien for seven years on NBC’s “Late Night” and rejoined him when O’Brien took over the “Tonight” show from Jay Leno.

—John Melendez: Jay Leno’s announcer on “Tonight.” Leno has left the show and will debut “The Jay Leno Show” in September. In a previous incarnation, Melendez was known as “Stuttering John,” who carried out cringe-inducting red-carpet interviews for Howard Stern’s radio show.

—”Uncle Frank” and Guillermo: Jimmy Kimmel’s real-life uncle, Frank Potenza, serves as a security guard for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC and does schtick and skits along with Guillermo Rodriguez, a real-life parking lot security guard for the show.