Sidekickery Part X Trivia Quiz

Answer: Baldrick

The four Edmund Blackadders are descendants; each of the four Baldricks is descended from the Baldrick in the prior series. The four series are "The Black Adder" (1983) set in the Wars of the Roses, "Blackadder II" (1987) set in Elizabethan England, "Blackadder the Third" (1987) set in the Regency Period, and "Blackadder Goes Forth" (1989) set in World War I. Baldrick of every generation is portrayed by Sir Tony Robinson; Blackadder by Rowan Atkinson.

Answer: Siegfried Farnon

"All Creatures Great and Small" was based upon the stories of real-life veterinarian Alf Wight, published under his pseudonym James Herriot. Wight's real-life partner was Donald Sinclair, given the name Siegfried Farnon for a second series of programmes. Wight's novels were entitled "If Only They Could Talk" and "It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet."

Answer: Alfred

The complete name of this movie is "The Fearless Vampire Killers, or Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck"; the stage musical made of it was entitled "Dance of the Vampires." Roman Polanski, who directed and co-wrote the film, also played Alfred, the professor's inept and foolish apprentice. This was Sharon Tate's last film before her murder.

Answer: Black Pete (Zwarte Piet)

Dating from 1850, the tradition is that Saint Nicholas is assisted by a Moor from Spain. The role is typically played by a Dutch person in black face. The twosome normally arrives in a boat or ship. In recent years, there has been some criticism of the racial implications of this custom.

Answer: Tige

The Buster Brown comic strip was first drawn by Richard F. Outcault in 1902. Two years later, Buster became a mascot for the Brown Shoe Company, along with his dog Tige and occasionally his girlfriend Mary Jane. Not only was Buster associated with the shoes he advertised but also for a kind of boys' suit imitative of the one he wore. Live actors toured the US playing the role of Buster Brown in the 20s and 30s. Buster and Tige appeared in television ads in the 40s and 50s.

Answer: Vanna White

Vanna White has been turning the letters on "The Wheel of Fortune" since the early 1980s. The game is essentially "hangman" with flashing lights. Sajak usually does all the talking while White looks good and turns the letters. On one occasion in 1986, when Sajak had laryngitis, they swapped places: he turned the letters while she hosted the show.

Answer: Sailor Duval

Bogart partnered with his wife Lauren Bacall to produce the series "Bold Venture" -- the name of Slate Shannon's boat. Sailor Duval was both his ward and his sidekick. The programme was set in and around Havana, Cuba. The programme moved to television in 1959 with Dane Clark as Shannon and Joan Marshall as Duvall. The locale was changed to Trinidad.

Answer: Sluggo Smith

Although Nancy is from a well-to-do family which provides for all her needs, Sluggo is an orphan (his mother died when he was three and his father was killed in military service) who lives in an abandoned house. Sluggo is loosely looked after by his "uncles" Les and More. His Uncle Vince is a crook. Nancy strives to elevate Sluggo. The strip generated comic books and two theatrical cartoons, as well.

Answer: Waylon Smithers

Like his father, who filled a similar role at the power plant, Waylon Smithers is a bootlicker to the chief executive. His dad died of radiation sickness after saving Springfield from a melt-down. His first name was borrowed from Wayland Flowers, a puppeteer. His character has been part of "The Simpsons" since 1990.

Answer: Thumper

Bambi's sidekick (and instructor in the ways of the Forest) was Thumper -- a pink-nosed rabbit with a left hind foot that had the habit of bouncing up and down on its own. There is no Thumper in the novel "Bambi: A Life in the Woods" (on which the movie is based) but Disney built the character of Thumper on Friend Hare in the novel.