Yesterday on our radio station coming home from work they were asking people to call in with their favorite sidekick, in honor of Art Carney's passing and being that he played Ed Norton to Jackie Gleason's Ralph Kramdon. I longed to call in and say Chico, cause in a way he was Ed's sidekick. But my daughter corrected me and said that both Freddie and Jack were stars of that show in their own right. I suppose we are both right if you look at it that way. The DJ did say something about second banana and Chico wasn't Ed's second, he was a star too.

That got me to thinking..... given the plethora of regular supporting characters on CATM, which was your favorite "sidekick" and why?????

I did enjoy them all, but I guess I will have to say Mando.... I thought he made a great friend for Chico and I only wish they had used him more on the show. I didn't really care for it when they sorta replaced him with Salvador in the third season. Mando made a much better best friend! (and Isaac and Freddie were such good friends off screen too!)

Chico: So where's the diamond?"
Mando: It's in there somewhere.... hey with what you had to pay for it, this was the best my uncle could do."
Chico: How much is it?
Mando: A dollar down and fifty cents a month for the rest of your life.
Chico: Now I know what they mean by a diamond is forever!" :lol:

I agree! Mando was alot better than Salvador & alot better looking too! :)

I have to say Louie because next to Freddie and Jackie scat made the show!!!

Mando was great....but Louie was a constant....and I guess I got attached to him....

I remember one time in particular...when Louie was gonna retire...and he came into the garage singing... Dont you stick out your can, 'cause I aint your garbage man...nooooooooooo more!

I laffed myself silly!

Yes! I agree Chico and Mando were side kicks and I love Luckymama's example. I also believe Ed and Louie made great side kicks too

mmmm, it's a close tie between Louie and Mando!

Mando was so cute--I loved his cocky walk!

Louie was another favorite--I loved the way he ranted over the "X-rated" mural on the wall outside......"..every member of the brotherhood of sanitation will picket these premises because garbage like that ought to be in the can and the guy who painted it ought to be in the can too!!!" (or somthing like that!) :lol:

word for word, do we know our show or what?!:lol: :happyface

I wish they had used Mando more after Freddie died. He was only in the Raul Runs Away epsiode after Freddie died & that was it. & They tried to make out like he was over Chico's death which he wasn't. I know no one can replace Freddie but he would've helped keep viewer interest among us ladies...

yes although they should have had him in more episodes all along, there are many episodes there where he is neither see or mentioned before the raul runs away
the ones i recall

If i were a rich man
the strike
the one where they think ed died
the famous bathroom emergency in the pilot
the letter
e plurabus...the selling of rosebud
were there others with Mando in that i am missing?
he should have been in more because he wqas Chico's good friend

I loved Mando and Louie the best. I missed Mando once they took him off the show..and Louie was so darn charming. They both did a great job. Of course nothing could match the work of Freddie and Jack..they just connected and were put on this earth to work together...it was just meant to be.