History Main / BeleagueredAssistant

* It's revealed in the [[Manga/TheLegendOfZeldaAkiraHimekawa manga adaptation]] of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheMinishCap'' that the BigBad Vaati was this to Ezlo, and eventually got so fed up with him that he stole his magic hat and set off to steal the Light Force next.

* ''ComicBook/IronMan'': Pepper Potts for Tony Stark at times. It's apparently bad enough that Pepper's fiance hated Tony for "ruining" Pepper's life, and this hatred made him a worthy candidate for a Mandarin ring.

* In ''Webcomic/SidekickGirl'' many of the Sidekicks are far more competent than their assigned superhero; this is because intelligence, skill or even useful powers aren't qualifications to be a hero. You know what is? Looking hot in spandex or having a kickass backstory. Sidekick Girl, in particular, has great skills in martial arts and is highly intelligent, but is saddled with an idiot super who is best known in the business for getting all of her previous sidekicks killed or maimed.

* In ''Manga/SnowWhiteWithTheRedHair'', [[ServileSnarker Sakaki]] is this to his hopelessly idiotic, useless master [[UpperClassTwit Raji]].
* In ''Anime/CodeGeass'', [[CloudCuckooLandersMinder Cecile Croomy]] is this to [[MadScientist Lloyd Asplund]]. Often turned [[ExaggeratedTrope up to memetic levels]] in the {{Fanon}}.

* Rumiya to his sister Ramia in ''Anime/MagicalProjectS''.

* Tomoe from ''Manga/KamisamaKiss'' is this to the energetic, prone to act without thinking heroine, Nanami.

* Artemis and Luna from ''Anime/SailorMoon'' have elements of this. They are the ones that tell their protegees, Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus, how to do their work, are very [[CatsAreSnarky snarky]] towards them and have to deal with their major obliviousness and clumsiness. Somewhat subverted since Moon and Venus are still [[BunnyEarsLawyer good at their job]] and acknowledge their cats' efforts and accomplishments, Also, while Luna and Artemis (usually the former) can be very rude and tell them explicitly what they think of them, they are still are very fond of each other.
* ''Manga/MonthlyGirlsNozakiKun'''s Nozaki is a pretty competent mangaka, however he nonetheless acquires a cast of assistants who put up with his eccentricities. Of course, they each have their own share of eccentricities.
** Hori takes the cake in being the most beleaguered of his assistants. Where the others are merely in charge of things such as inking and adding tone or effects, Hori is landed with the task of drawing ''all'' of Nozaki's backgrounds because Nozaki doesn't know how to draw them himself. And on top of that Nozaki doesn't even give adequate instructions on what needs to be drawn most of the time.
** In chapter 59, we get to see that Mayu is even too lazy to reply to ''cell phone'' text, and entrusts his schoolmate Kobayashi to ''text on his behalf''.
* Ibushi Arima in ''Anime/CuteHighEarthDefenseClubLove'', who spends most of his time managing his highly-strung fellow [[TakeOverTheWorld World Dominators]], Kinshiro and Akoya.
* In ''Manga/ActAge'', Hiiragi Yuki, Sumiji's diminutive assistant, does respect him as a film director but clearly needs a break when it comes to his way of managing things − which includes refusing jobs as long as he hasn't found ''the'' acting prodigy he needs or outright abducting said prodigy if he can. She tries to be his voice of reason, but often in vain. It doesn't help that protagonist Kei, a wannabe actress, can be just as nuts − only in a different way.
* In ''Manga/BloomIntoYou'', Tomoyuki Ichigaya, an alumnus of the main characters' high school, reveals he was this to his StudentCouncilPresident, [[spoiler:Touko's older sister]] when they served on the student council together. He claims that the president had him and the others do most of the work while she did speeches and the other "fun" parts, and even had them do her summer homework for her. Despite knowing that it was often a pain, he looks back on that time fondly.
* Corporal Giroro to Sgt. Keroro in ''Manga/SgtFrog'', especially in the dub. When you have a leader who would rather play with ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' than focus on his major goal in life, you're pretty much like the corporal as well.
* It’s revealed in the [[Manga/TheLegendOfZeldaAkiraHimekawa manga adaptation]] of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheMinishCap'' that the BigBad Vaati was this to Ezlo, and eventually got so fed up with him that he stole his magic hat and set off to steal the Light Force next.

* ''ComicStrip/{{Nodwick}}'': Henchmen have this as their stock in life: They're stuck hauling implausibly large amounts of loot and being used as monster bait for various adventurers, but are contractually obliged to stick to their employers to the degree that they're not allowed to pass on to the afterlife as long as there's any chance of them being brought back to life.
** Nodwick himself skirts between this trope and HypercompetentSidekick because he does care for his employers -- at least somewhat.

%%* ''They Just Don't Care Anymore'': Jazz for the Autobots, Cyclonus for the Decepticons.

%%* Nail to [[InsistentTerminology Super Kami Guru]] in ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged''.

%%* Tails to Sonic in ''WebVideo/SonicTheOtherMovie''.
* ''Fanfic/TheStoryOfTwilightGlow'': Twilight, [[AlternateUniverseFic who in this story is born an Earth Pony]], becomes this to Nightmare Moon. She spends much of the story trying to rein in Nightmare's ruthlessness and megalomania.

* Sir Hiss in Disney's ''WesternAnimation/RobinHood1973''. He's Prince John's advisor and the frequent target of his abuse.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Igor}}'' (2008) is about an [[TheIgor Igor]] who hopes to rise above his station as Beleaguered Assistant and become a MadScientist himself. Has his own beleaguered assistants in the form of dim-witted Brain and DeadpanSnarker Scamper.
* Lawrence to Prince Naveen in ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog'', so much so [[spoiler:that he ends up scheming with Dr. Facilier to get rid of him]].

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Zootopia}}'': Assistant Mayor Dawn Bellwether describes herself as "a glorified secretary" who "never gets to do anything that's important", and Mayor Lionheart treats her disdainfully.[[spoiler: This helps turn her into TheResenter and fuels her MistreatmentInducedBetrayal.]]

* Andy Sachs to Miranda Priestly in ''Film/TheDevilWearsPrada''.
** Andy is a more unusual example in that Miranda is neither [[TheCaligula insane]] nor [[PointyHairedBoss stupid]], but is instead so much TheAce that she demands Andy be [[HypercompetentSidekick hyper-competent]] by default, [[DudeWheresMyRespect rarely acknowledges her successes]] and [[DisappointedInYou eviscerates her whenever she can't keep up]].

* Hercule Lajoy is one of these to [[InspectorOblivious Clouseau]] in the second ''[[Franchise/ThePinkPanther Pink Panther]]'' film, ''Film/AShotInTheDark''.
* The Secretary Bird in ''Film/BedknobsAndBroomsticks''.
* Riff Raff from ''Film/TheRockyHorrorPictureShow'' exemplified this trope and takes it a step further in the end.
* Planchet, as portrayed by Creator/RoyKinnear, in ''The Three Musketeers'' and its two sequels. Became a bit HarsherInHindsight when he died after being thrown from a horse during the filming of the third one.

* In ''Film/AFaceInTheCrowd'', Marcia Jeffries is, in Mel Miller's words, "the little wheel of efficiency without which the great streamline express called Lonesome Rhodes plunges off the track and leaps to destruction." She tries to prevent him from firing people on a whim, and helps ensure that he doesn't embarrass himself by venting his most egotistical opinions on the air... until she has had enough and [[EngineeredPublicConfession allows him to do just that]].

* ''Film/SetItUp'': Both Harper and Charlie are this to their bosses Kirsten and Rick. They're forced to work around the clock catering to their every need and doing several demeaning tasks. The plot kicks off when the two meet and decide to get Kirsten and Rick to date so they can finally have some free time. The film even opens with a montage of other assistants who are in the same boat as them, answering to their bosses' every demand no matter how ridiculous.

* Sancho Panza to Literature/DonQuixote.

* Abner Dowling, General Custer's adjutant in the first few novels of Harry Turtledove's Literature/Timeline191 series. He frequently has to explain to an oblivious Custer that sending wave after wave of your own men charging across an open field at machine gun nests is probably not a good idea. Also, Custer's career survives by being politically savvy, plus [[spoiler:one enormously lucky victory that finally breaks the stalemate and wins the Great War.]]

* Fisk to Michael, in the first book of the ''Literature/KnightAndRogueSeries'', where they put more emphasis on their 'knight and squire' relation. Fisk eventually develops into more of a perpetually exasperated friend.
* Aliette de Bodard's ''Literature/ObsidianAndBlood'' trilogy has Ichtaca, the priest responsible for everything the High Priest of the Dead cannot be bothered to do. He basically, and grudgingly, runs the temple while Acatl, said High Priest, is off investigating things, and uses every opportunity to remind Acatl that he ''really'' should stop running away from his social duties as High Priest.
* ''Literature/OneNationUnderJupiter'': Servius, forced to work as Diagoras' slave during his quest to debunk the gods despite still believing in them himself.
* ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'': Lift insists that Wyndle, her BondCreature, is a [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Voidbringer]] she trapped, and now he has to do what she says. He's not.
-->'''Wyndle:''' ''I'' wanted to pick a distinguished Iriali matron. A grandmother, an accomplished gardener. But no, the Ring said we should choose you. "She has visited the Old Magic," they said. "Our mother has blessed her," they said. "She will be young, and we can mold her," they said. Well, ''they'' don't have to put up with--\\
'''Lift:''' Shut it, Voidbringer.
* Literature/NeroWolfe's assistant Archie Goodwin views himself as this to Wolfe -- not entirely without reason. While Wolfe is no fool or incompetent, he ''is'' very eccentric, lazy and demanding, expects Archie to do all the grunt investigation busywork that he can't be bothered to do (often without fully appreciating just how difficult this might be for Archie), sends Archie running around the city at all hours of the day or night in search of clues, evidence, or whatever Wolfe wants at that given moment, keeps vital information back from Archie until it suits him, and drops him into situations that get tricky very quickly and require Archie to think on his feet to try and get out of them. Needless to say, Archie usually responds to all of this with [[DeadpanSnarker generous helpings of sarcasm]].
* ''Literature/TheStrangerTimes'': Poor Grace is TheReliableOne. When Banecroft throws a tantrum or Loon Day is getting out of hand, she's the one left to clean up the mess, much to her annoyance. At least her invaluable service means she gets to negotiate with Banecroft vis-a-vis hiring and swearing.
* ''Literature/TheSupervillainySaga'': Specifically, ''[[Literature/TalesOfSupervillainyCindysSeven Tales of Supervillainy: Cindy's Seven]]'', has this. In a humorous bit of role-reversal, former henchwench Cindy dragoons a fellow supervillain, Dana Vandergast AKA Damselfly, into being her sidekick. Dana is an {{Antivillain}} who just wants to get out of supervillainy but bullied into being part of a massive heist.
* ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'':
** Kyon often serves as this to Haruhi whenever she has an idea for an activity and needs someone to do the grunt work. One of the few cases where the Beleaguered Assistant is the main character.
** Itsuki may count as well, despite his apparent eagerness and his asskissing (as Kyon sees it) on the inside he finds her actions to be quite exhausting.

* ''Series/RulesOfEngagement'': Timmy to Russell. While Russell is more [[BrilliantbutLazy Brilliant but Lazy]] than grossly incompetent, he makes Timmy miserable by constantly having him complete degrading tasks under the guise of [[BlatantLies "mentoring"]] him.
* ''Series/{{Selfie}}'' {{invert|edTrope}}s this, Henry Higgs is a talented worker, and his assistant Charlie, a little goofy, lanky, and not exactly on the ball. He says his parents are in town to get out of work (Henry, newly on Facebook, finds out through a posted video), and when he's very willing to participate in a flashmob for a co-worker:
-->'''Henry:''' The flashmob is off. Find Larry!\\
'''Charlie:'''But then I'll never get to do this. ''[shoots confetti out of his sleeves]''\\
'''Henry:''' Clean all of this up. ''[leaves. Beat. Comes back]'' Find Larry first, and ''then'' clean all this up.
* Ryan sometimes played this role to Michael in the early seasons of ''Series/{{The Office|US}}'', demonstrating more knowledge of the business world than Michael. [[spoiler: He would eventually become Michael's boss.]]
* From ''Series/{{Blackadder}}'':

* The title character in ''Series/{{Merlin|2008}}'' embodies this trope. He runs around doing Arthur's chores, including extremely demeaning ones, while Arthur insults him and throws things at him. When Arthur wants to shirk his royal duties, it's Merlin's job to cover for him -- which has more than once landed him in the stocks. And of course he spends most of the series repeatedly saving Arthur's life. Using his very illegal magic that he could be killed for having. Possibly on the orders of Arthur himself. And he gets no credit for any of this. ItMakesSenseInContext why Merlin puts up with all this. Mostly.

* The TaiwaneseSeries ''Series/FatedToLoveYou''. Xi Yi never says no, so ends up handling all the menial tasks in her office, plus fetching coffee and lunch, and working into the late night hours doing the work of her other coworkers.

* Teo, the assistant of Johnny Tolengo. It's hard being the assistant of such a greedy rich man
-->'''Tolengo:''' Teo, the cofee you served is cold.\\
'''Teo:''' Wait a moment sir, I will warm it right away!\\
'''Tolengo:''' No, forget it, I will drink it as it is.\\
'''Teo:''' But sir, it is not a problem for me to warm it.\\
'''Tolengo:''' It is not a problem ''for you'', but I don't get the gas for free.
* ''Series/ImAlanPartridge'' has Lynn, Alan's mousy and much put-upon personal assistant, who puts up with all his antics and is responsible for everything from negotiating jobs to delivering fungal foot powder.
* Nada from ''Series/TheLibrarians2007'', who actually gets the library in something approximating order in those times when Frances isn't around.
* ''Series/KluenCheewit'': Jeerawat's coordi P'Suki has to put up with pushy producers, timelines, murder attempts, pushy relatives, and still has to keep Jeerawat on time and beautiful for her acting roles.
* [[EverybodyCallsHimBarkeep "Daddy's Assistant"]] in ''Series/TheLatestBuzz'', who is constantly getting bizarre requests foisted on him by Amanda, and--to a lesser extent--her father. When he finally appears on screen in the series finale, he is haggard and old before his time.
* ''Series/MidsomerMurders'': In "Happy Families", the VictimOfTheWeek's executive assistant complains that he was treated like dirt and never appreciated by his boss, even though he was the one who was really keeping the company running. Of course, as he was StealingFromTheTill and about to be exposed, how much of this was true and how much justification is unclear.

* Kamek serves this role to the impulsive, immature Baby Bowser in ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPartnersInTime Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]''.

* A downplayed example in ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank''. While Doctor Nefarious is pretty competent in his [[MadScientist chosen fields]], it's pretty clear it's his butler Lawrence who is the one keeping things running smoothly, from handling all the domestics, to giving his master regular PercussiveMaintenance, to even bringing him BackFromTheDead, when need be. For his part, Lawrence seems to [[ServileSnarker very much enjoy not enjoying his position]].
* ''VideoGame/AlphaProtocol'' has Wen, [[SuccessThroughInsanity Steven Heck's]] assistant, who's introduced being given the JackBauerInterrogationTechnique by [[BadBoss his boss]] because [[spoiler: Heck [[DisproportionateRetribution misplaced his keys]]]]. If you get on Steven's good side, he'll go so far as to [[spoiler: frame ''Wen'' for [[TheChewToy the assassination of a popular politician]] instead of you]].
* In ''VideoGame/DiscoElysium'', choosing to play as a more eccentric PlayerCharacter, means that the Detective's partner, Kim, is forced into this role. While he tries to maintain his composure and be accommodating of the player’s current physical and mental state, he's quickly and visibly exasperated with your strange and volatile behaviors, especially when they directly inhibit the investigation.
-->'''The Detective:''' Something ''weird'' just happened to me.\\
'''Kim:''' Don't take this the wrong way, but -- during our short stint working together -- ''something weird'' is almost always happening to you.

* The series ''Blockhead'' has the Conscience serving this role, who takes form as a [[DeadpanSnarker snarky]] fat guy on a couch whose duty as a voice within his head is to constantly shout at at the titular main character to stop whatever maniacal wackiness he's doing to no effect.
* Wayne the Goblin in One Ring to Rule Them All.
* Johnson Johnson in Dark Maze Studio's ''[[Film/PressStart2007 Press Start Adventures]]''.

* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Dan's uryuom minion, Minion is this for Dan.

* In ''Webcomic/{{MYth}}'', there's Delphin, Poseidon's assistant who's always worried about how Poseidon puts the paperwork aside. Hermes is one too for Zeus but in a lesser degree.
* In ''Webcomic/TheBoyWhoFell'' Lord Devil is competent and a great planner, but his servant Ramia has to deal with his slightly off-the-wall decisions and him not being where he's supposed to be because he wants to talk to Ren.

* BFF Nella tends to WebVideo/TheNostalgiaChick, often falling victim of whatever madcap schemes the Chick thrusts her into. This lead to a number of fans thinking that Lindsay really ''did'' treat Nella like this, which in turn caused the pair to parody the idea with a skit that basically said the Chick was paying Nella to fill the role, because the Chick was HollywoodHomely and would look more attractive if next to someone even less desirable.
* ''Film/NoobLaCroiseeDesDestins'': The apprentice to a NonPlayerCharacter blacksmith. When they need to do something away from the shop to help a player, the blacksmith makes him carry his tools ''including the anvil'', a few swords because they may encounter monsters on the way and a few extra things because "he doesn't like him".

* Arthur to WesternAnimation/TheTick. Honestly, he fits this like a guy in a moth suit wearing a glove.
* Brain in ''WesternAnimation/InspectorGadget'', who is constantly facing personal injury in order to keep Gadget safe, and to a much lesser extent Chief Quimby, who is actually Gadget's boss. His niece Penny, who is possibly in the biggest position to be an example, seems [[HypercompetentSidekick not to mind]] solving the cases as much. Occasionally subverted when Gadget saves Brain from falling to his death, usually because he thinks Brain is a MAD agent who's trying to escape. Also subverted when Brain ''wants'' Gadget to think he's a MAD agent and give chase. All of this did, however take a toll on Brain as revealed in the spinoff series, ''WesternAnimation/GadgetAndTheGadgetinis'', where he's had to leave the family and simply uttering the word "Gadget" strikes fear into him.
* Woodhouse, the butler in ''WesternAnimation/{{Archer}}'', who suffers constant belittlement, humiliation and occasional psychical torment at the hands of the [[{{Jerkass}} titular character]]. Woodhouse takes a bit of revenge every now and then by knocking Archer unconscious and afterwards claiming that his blackout was caused by another drinking-binge.

* Cornfed to ''WesternAnimation/{{Duckman}}''.
* Shego to Dr. Drakken in ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible''.
* Luxor the cat to ''WesternAnimation/{{Tutenstein}}''.
* Steve to Dr. Weird in ''WesternAnimation/AquaTeenHungerForce''.
** It's also sort of implied that Emory is this to Oglethorpe. Emory is usually the one who comes up with plausible ideas or points out Oglethorpe's lack of logic, but is often overruled.
* In ''WesternAnimation/DuckDodgers'', Eager Young Space Cadet always has to tag along with whatever dangerous missions his narcissistic, selfish and [[LordErrorProne considerably less competent]] higher-up, Duck Dodgers, gets himself into.
* Porky served as one of these to Daffy in several of the classic ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' shorts, as well.
* While Montgomery Burns from ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' is a competent businessman, he also lacks the skills for dealing with people, is out of touch with any cultural development that has taken place since the end of World War II, and is extremely physically weak. Naturally it falls to Smithers to make up for these defects and make sure Burns remains as successful as he is. Subverted when it's made clear that Smithers actually ''enjoys'' this, and has an almost psychological need to serve Burns.
* Schnitzel in ''WesternAnimation/{{Chowder}}'', who gets more and more comically unappreciated as the series goes on.
* ''WesternAnimation/SheepInTheBigCity'' has Private Public trying to keep up with General Specific's less-than-sound schemes.
* Samy Garvin on ''WesternAnimation/JimmyTwoShoes'' would rather be following his dreams of stardom than serving Lucius Heinous VII, who is not only incompetent but [[KickTheDog likes to abuse Samy for fun]].
* Slinkman in ''WesternAnimation/CampLazlo''. He's intelligent and level-headed, and is stuck as the assistant for the [[MooseAreIdiots idiotic and selfish]] Scoutmaster Lumpus.

** The pageant in the episode "Hearth's Warming Eve" features three such characters: Clover the Clever (played by Twilight Sparkle) is the Beleaguered Assistant to the unicorn ruler [[RoyalBrat Princess Platinum]] (played by Rarity), Smart Cookie (played by Applejack) is the Beleaguered Assistant to the earth pony ruler [[TheCaligula Chancellor Puddinghead]] (played by Pinkie Pie), and Private Pansy (played by Fluttershy) is the Beleaguered Assistant to the pegasus ruler [[DrillSergeantNasty Commander Hurricane]] (played by Rainbow Dash).

** Spike often fills the Beleaguered Assistant role to Twilight Sparkle, keeping things together when Twilight's head is in the clouds or she's running off the rails.

* Jared to the Warden in ''WesternAnimation/{{Superjail}}''
* PJ from ''WesternAnimation/GoofTroop'' is, depending on the episode, either this or a HypercompetentSidekick to Max. While Max isn't really incompetent, he's [[FearlessFool shortsighted]], [[HighSchoolHustler self-centered]], and [[DistressedDude danger-prone]]. On some occasions, PJ is the only reason Max is ''alive''. [[NoRespectGuy Despite his hard work and consistent helpfulness, even in the face of unreasonable hostility, PJ gets almost no credit]]. PJ is usually [[DeadpanSnarker cynical about Max's plans]] and is treated as TheDragAlong.
* Mina to Trina in ''WesternAnimation/{{Grojband}}''. Trina constantly forces Mina to do all sorts of unpleasant things for her various schemes against Grojband, with Mina usually encountering some kind of misfortune as a result and Trina ignoring any objections Mina presents to her.
* Zhu Li in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' works for Varrick as a lab assistant, cleaner, bodyguard and pretty much anything else he asks for, despite his often dismissive treatment of her. She eventually calls him out for his behavior in Book 4 and [[spoiler:apparently betrays him, only to join him back close to the finale and revealing she only did so as part of a plan, but still rightfully demanding a better treatment on his part.]] It takes several episodes before Varrick swallows his pride and admits he was treating her poorly. [[spoiler:This also comes with him realizing he actually has reciprocated feelings for her, and they get married shortly after.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/MrMagoo'': Charlie is often this trope when involved in his employer's escapades.
* ''WesternAnimation/SkylandersAcademy'': Glumshanks is the loyal butler to Kaossandra and her son Kaos. He has a very good relation to the former due to having been her servant for so long, but he spends more time in service with the latter, and let's just say, Kaos is a lot less nicer to him. He not only drags Glumshanks into the evil plots he comes up with, but also uses him for a punching bag, and as expected, Glumshanks is not fond of it, to the point where he takes anxiety medication. When they end up going seperate paths in the first half of the second season, Glumshanks takes the chance to pursue his interests and he is shown to be much happier doing it than being Kaos' servant.

** [[spoiler:Lilia was hit hard with a case of this in the time leading up to Malleus's birth. First he was violently coerced by his monarch [[PsychopathicWomanchild Meleanor]] into taking her egg to safety instead of staying back to help her fight, and so this [[HeroicSacrifice got her killed]]. Then, when the egg was safe, Lilia was berated by a council of {{ungrateful|Bastard}} elders for getting Meleanor killed, even though he had no choice in the matter and saved her child's life. Little wonder he retired from his post in the army and went into hiding for a time.]]

* Kamek serves this role to the impulsive, immature Baby Bowser in ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPartnersInTime Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]''.
* Tachibana Muneshige to Otomo Sorin in ''VideoGame/SengokuBasara: Samurai Heroes'', having to constantly suffer through his lord's {{jerkass}} tendencies and fascination with [[PathOfInspiration Xavism]].
* Nele Baeker of ''VideoGame/InfiniteSpace'' is the long-suffering aide to BunnyEarsLawyer Lord Roth, who needs constant prodding to wake up, show up at briefings, and conduct business instead of hanging out with his hordes of adoring fangirls.

** Tikki is the source of all of Chloe's powers as the {{Nominal Hero}}ine, forced to work with her in order to protect Paris (not because nobody better was available, but because [[ForWantOfANail Chloe stole the Earrings from Marinette]] without realizing what they were). Though she tries to guide Chloe into becoming a better person, all her efforts are in vain, and she has more luck passive-aggressively lashing out and snarking at her holder.

* ''Series/{{Taskmaster}}'' has the titular Taskmaster's assistant, Creator/AlexHorne. He's ''constantly'' belittled by Creator/GregDavies, talked down to and taunted as "''little'' Alex Horne," is apparently still decades away from his first raise (and it's implied he may not even be paid at all), is physically abused, verbally abused, psychologically abused, yelled at for little (if any) reason, occasionally kept on a tether, often forced to do demeaning tasks like fan the Taskmaster (and then get yelled at for doing it), and is often made to do completely pointless tasks (like wink and grin after every word) [[ItAmusedMe purely for the Taskmaster's amusement]]. Not to mention he is the one who does all the work during the tasks and is often forced into awkward, humiliating, and demeaning positions by the contestants, while the Taskmaster sits on his laurels.

* Johnson Johnson in Dark Maze Studio's [[Film/PressStart Press Start Adventures]].

* WebVideo/{{Phelous}} was this to WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic all throughout ''WebVideo/{{Kickassia}}'', what with getting constantly smacked and having the Critic say all his ideas were stupid, only to claim they were his own ideas. [[spoiler: Phelous turned the latter on the Critic during his overthrowing by getting him to suggest that everyone kick his ass.]] This went a long way to [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap rescuing Phelous from the scrappy heap]] in the eyes of Website/ThatGuyWithTheGlasses fans.

* Charles Foster Ofdensen of ''WesternAnimation/{{Metalocalypse}}'' serves as the CFO, manager and all-around brains behind Dethklok. When not running the business side of things his duties involves half-heartedly trying to get the band (who are all inept manchildren that take him for granted) to listen to him or clean up after their mistakes. Despite this, he's a man of nigh-infinite patience who is unfailingly loyal to them.

* Charles Foster Ofdensen of ''WesternAnimation/{{Metalocalypse}}'', who's a one-man trope machine.

* ''Fanfic/MyHeroAcademiaMechanicalGreen'': While he's more their Intern than an actual assistant, [[AdaptationalHeroism Shuichi Iguchi]] is pretty much stuck as this to the Wild Wild Pussycats, largely due to half of them being single adult women who relentlessly flirt with him while having a bet over who will get to him first. When Izuku properly meets him for the first time, he's practically begging Izuku to help him before Ryuko drags him off, and Shino telepathically communicates her desire to marry him when telling Kantō how she isn't married ''yet''. It gets worse once the group is hired to teach at UA, as he now has to deal with ''Nemuri'', and ends up learning about Clair Voyance being a CovertPervert.

* Kif Kroker in ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' is the poster boy for this trope. Kif has it so bad that an exasperated sigh is pretty much his catchphrase. His boss, Zapp Brannigan, is apparently aware of his frustration, at one point telling Kif not to groan and another time punishing (then-soldier) Fry by making him ''Kif's'' assistant. Kif proceeded to unload years of frustration on his new inferior.

* Kif Kroker in ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' is the poster boy for this trope. Kif has it so bad that an exasperated sigh is pretty much his CatchPhrase. His boss, Zapp Brannigan, is apparently aware of his frustration, at one point telling Kif not to groan and another time punishing (then-soldier) Fry by making him ''Kif's'' assistant. Kif proceeded to unload years of frustration on his new inferior.

Often the OnlySaneMan, the CloudcuckoolandersMinder, and TheReliableOne. OnlySaneEmployee is when this character has far more to deal with than just his incompetent boss, while BeleagueredBoss is in charge of a bunch of idiots/lunatics/mavericks. A good character to use when determining whether other characters are NiceToTheWaiter. See also ConservationOfCompetence and SuccessSymbiosis. Contrast ProfessionalButtKisser. If they are male and their employer is female they may be half of MistressAndServantBoy relationship.

** From ''The Muppets'' onward, Uncle Deadly is Miss Piggy's main assistant. He usually manages to deal with her, but sometimes even he can only do so much.