History Main / LesserStar

* ''WesternAnimation/SabrinaTheAnimatedSeries'' features an alternate reality where Sabrina, Hilda, Zelda and Chloe are a successful GirlGroup called the Flavour Babes. Sabrina is the FaceOfTheBand as the singer, Hilda is the drummer and Zelda is the guitarist. Chloe meanwhile plays...[[OneOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers the French horn]]. Sabrina taunts her about this, and Chloe resents the lack of attention she gets. And of course she's the only member of the band not to be in the Spellman family.

* Parodied, of course, in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "Lisa's Rival". Lisa takes solace in that there's nothing wrong being the second-best at anything, and she then imagines a future in which she, [[Music/SimonAndGarfunkel Art Garfunkel]], Jim Messina, and John Oates play their #2 song "Born To Runner-Up" in a concert sponsored by Avis (the #2 car rental company). They get booed off the stage, and she wakes up {{lampshad|eHanging}}ing the FridgeLogic of why people would show up to their concert just to boo them.
** In "Sideshow Bob Roberts", Bart and Lisa invoke this in their plan to get Sideshow Bob to confess to rigging the mayoral election, by accusing him of playing second-fiddle to [[Creator/RushLimbaugh Limbaugh]] {{expy}} Birch Barlow.

* Despite the name, the ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' games rarely give the two brothers equal billing. In games when Luigi is as important as Mario, both characters are mentioned by name in the title (e.g. The ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi'' series). And you have all the characters in game who refer to poor Luigi as "that green mustache guy", somewhat verifying the trope in-universe. ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Brawl'' references this, having Luigi be a huge wimp who gets knocked out in his first minute onscreen in the campaign. Many of his attacks look dorkier than his brother's, his entrance cry is a depressed "Let's a-go...", [[Franchise/MetalGear Snake's codec on him]] has [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty the false Colonel]] mock him for being stuck in Mario's shadow, and his Final Smash is claimed in its trophy to be formed from his dark desire to be greater than his brother. However, Nintendo chose to avert this in 2013, dubbing it "Advertising/TheYearOfLuigi" and giving him [[VideoGame/LuigisMansionDarkMoon several]] [[VideoGame/NewSuperLuigiU new]] [[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam games]]... only for his trophy in ''Super Smash Bros for 3DS'' to claim that all that attention only made him ''more shy''.

* Despite his importance in the "prime" (that is, [[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries the original]]) continuity, Dr. Leonard H. [=McCoy=] (AKA: "Bones") has ended up becoming this in the Creator/JJAbrams Film/StarTrek [[Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness mo]][[Film/StarTrekBeyond vies]] with his role in the PowerTrio being played by Uhura.[[note]]Mainly so she and Spock could be made into an "item", [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks something that never happened originally]].[[/note]]

* Despite the name, the ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' games rarely give the two brothers equal billing. In games when Luigi is as important as Mario, both characters are mentioned by name in the title (e.g. The ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi'' games). And you have all the characters in game who refer to poor Luigi as "that green mustache guy", somewhat verifying the trope in-universe. ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Brawl'' references this, having Luigi be a huge wimp who gets knocked out in his first minute onscreen in the campaign. Many of his attacks look dorkier than his brother's, his entrance cry is a depressed "Let's a-go...", [[Franchise/MetalGear Snake's codec on him]] has [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty the false Colonel]] mock him for being stuck in Mario's shadow, and his Final Smash is claimed in its trophy to be formed from his dark desire to be greater than his brother. However, Nintendo chose to avert this in 2013, dubbing it "Advertising/TheYearOfLuigi" and giving him [[VideoGame/LuigisMansionDarkMoon several]] [[VideoGame/NewSuperLuigiU new]] [[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam games]]... only for his trophy in ''Super Smash Bros for 3DS'' to claim that all that attention only made him ''more shy''.

* Despite the name, the ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' games rarely give the two brothers equal billing. In games when Luigi is as important as Mario, both characters are mentioned by name in the title (e.g. ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]''). And you have all the characters in game who refer to poor Luigi as "that green mustache guy", somewhat verifying the trope in-universe. ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Brawl'' references this, having Luigi be a huge wimp who gets knocked out in his first minute onscreen in the campaign. Many of his attacks look dorkier than his brother's, his entrance cry is a depressed "Let's a-go...", [[Franchise/MetalGear Snake's codec on him]] has [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty the false Colonel]] mock him for being stuck in Mario's shadow, and his Final Smash is claimed in its trophy to be formed from his dark desire to be greater than his brother. However, Nintendo chose to avert this in 2013, dubbing it "Advertising/TheYearOfLuigi" and giving him [[VideoGame/LuigisMansionDarkMoon several]] [[VideoGame/NewSuperLuigiU new]] [[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam games]]... only for his trophy in ''Super Smash Bros for 3DS'' to claim that all that attention only made him ''more shy''.

* Sometimes happens in ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' and ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' where the SixthRanger will be introduced to be as powerful as, or even more powerful, than the hero; but after his introductory arc tends to be [[DeusExitMachina increasingly sidelined]]. This is known in the fandom as "Sixth Ranger Syndrome."
** Also, sometimes, the Red Ranger is given so much plot focus, {{Mid Season Upgrade}}s, and screentime that you get a ''Franchise/KamenRider'' series that has five other characters standing around just because it's habit. ''Rangers'' has an ''s,'' and ''sentai'' means "squad" or "task force," but in ''[[Series/PowerRangersMysticForce Mystic Force]]'' and ''[[Series/PowerRangersSamurai Samurai]][=/=][[Series/SamuraiSentaiShinkenger Shinkenger]],'' it's as if nobody told that to the PowersThatBe and ''everyone'' gets Sixth Ranger Syndrome, getting the spotlight in an early {{Filler}} episode or two but never being relevant again.
** Lampshaded in one episode of ''Series/PowerRangersRPM''. Tenaya 7 notes that Red Ranger Scott is TheLeader, Black Ranger Dylan is the WildCard, Green Ranger Ziggy is the PluckyComicRelief and Yellow Ranger Summer is TheChick. She wonders what there is for Flynn - to which he responds [[BraveScot "I'm Scottish!"]]

* ''Series/TheBrothersGarcia'' plays this for drama when Carlos and Lorenna try to join a band. Carlos is the understudy for the drummer, while Lorenna only gets to sing back-up.

** Vince's Devils - [[Wrestling/LisaMarieVaron Victoria]] in comparison to Wrestling/TorrieWilson and Wrestling/CandiceMichelle. Despite being easily the best wrestler of them, the other two were very over {{Ms Fanservice}}s.

* Greta on the TV version of ''How to Marry a Millionaire''. When Lori Nelson complained about this, it essentially led to the fall of the series... and [[Series/IDreamOfJeannie the rise of Barbara Eden]], another cast member on the show.

* Despite the name, the ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' games rarely give the two brothers equal billing. In games when Luigi is as important as Mario, both characters are mentioned by name in the title (e.g. ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]''). And you have all the characters in game who refer to poor Luigi as "that green mustache guy", somewhat verifying the trope in-universe. ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Brawl'' references this, having Luigi be a huge wimp who gets knocked out in his first minute onscreen in the campaign. Many of his attacks look dorkier than his brother's, his entrance cry is a depressed "Let's a-go...", [[Franchise/MetalGear Snake's codec on him]] has [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty the false Colonel]] mock him for being stuck in Mario's shadow, and his Final Smash is claimed in its trophy to be formed from his dark desire to be greater than his brother. However, Nintendo chose to avert this in 2013, dubbing it "TheYearOfLuigi" and giving him [[VideoGame/LuigisMansionDarkMoon several]] [[VideoGame/NewSuperLuigiU new]] [[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam games]]... only for his trophy in ''Super Smash Bros for 3DS'' to claim that all that attention only made him ''more shy''.

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' players have a tradition of saying there are four colors: White, blue, black, and red. This isn't to say that green hasn't had some good cards; in fact, the [[http://www.wizards.com/Magic/TCG/Resources.aspx?x=judge/resources/sfrvintage Vintage restricted list]] has three green cards from the original base set on it. It's just that green has a bad history of cards that are either BoringButPractical or AwesomeButImpractical, with very little in between.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:TV Tropes]]
* Television Tropes ''& Idioms''- and now officially [[Administrivia/NoNewStockPhrases just tropes]].
[[/folder]]

* There were two pack-in games that came with the UsefulNotes/{{N|intendoEntertainmentSystem}}ES. One was ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'', of course. The other? ''VideoGame/DuckHunt'', which is remembered for only two things: Being the ''other'' game that came with the NES, and... ''[[TheScrappy the dog]]''. Speaking of the NES accessories in order of well-known-ness: Control Pad, Zapper, Power Pad, Power Glove, NES Advantage, [[FunWithAcronyms Robotic Operating Buddy]]. One version of the NES came with a three-game multipack, providing for an even lesser Lesser Star. ''Super Mario Bros.'' and ''Duck Hunt'' were the first two on the cartridge. ''World Class Track Meet'' was the third, a rereleased version of ''Stadium Events''. ''Stadium Events'' is known for being the game that holds the world record for highest price sold for a video game (an eBay auction fetched $41,300 for a factory-sealed copy). ''World Class Track Meet'', more widely released, is known for being "that game you can totally cheat at if you step off the Power Pad and slap the pads with your hands".

* Parodied, of course, in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "Lisa's Rival". Lisa takes solace in that there's nothing wrong being the second-best at anything, and she then imagines a future in which she, Art Garfunkel, Jim Messina, and John Oates play their #2 song "Born To Be Runners-Up" in a concert is sponsored by (#2 car rental company) Avis. They get booed off the stage, and she wakes up {{lampshad|eHanging}}ing the FridgeLogic of why people would show up to their concert just to boo them.

** Wrestling/The Beautiful People - Lacey Von Erich to Wrestling/VelvetSky and Wrestling/MadisonRayne. While Madison and Velvet were good enough in the ring or at least charismatic enough to be a presence, Lacey was obviously very green and didn't last long in TNA.

** Lampshaded in one episode of ''Series/PowerRangersRPM''. Tenaya 7 notes that Red Ranger Scott is TheLeader, Black Ranger Dylan is TheWildCard, Green Ranger Ziggy is the PluckyComicRelief and Yellow Ranger Summer is TheChick. She wonders what there is for Flynn - to which he responds [[BraveScot "I'm Scottish!"]]

* Despite his importance in the "prime" (that is, [[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries the original]]) continuity, Dr. Leonard H. [=McCoy=] (AKA: "Bones") has ended up becoming this in the [[Creator/JJAbrams]] Film/StarTrek [[Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness mo]][[Film/StarTrekBeyond vies]] with his role in the PowerTrio being played by Uhura.[[note]]Mainly so she and Spock could be made into an "item", [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks something that never happened originally]].[[/note]]

-->-- The '''''Series/{{Glee}}''''' narrator on Tina.

* Mindy of ''Series/MorkAndMindy''.

* Bones becomes this in the J.J. Abrahams Star Trek movies with his role in the PowerTrio being played by Uhura.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX2'' with regards to the YRP - when it comes to performing in the Songstress dressphere. Yuna and Rikku excitedly do it, and Yuna especially is a huge celebrity as a result. Paine meanwhile dislikes being a Songstress and never uses it in the plot. She'll even complain if you put her as a Songstress in battle. This is partly justified due to Paine's DarkAndTroubledPast - and she defrosts over the course of the game.
* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'': Starring Vaan, Penelo, Ashe, Balthier, Basch, and Fran with equal billing as main characters. The story is really about Ashe, Balthier, Basch, and Fran. Vaan is a FirstPersonPeripheralNarrator that's relevant in relation to the other 4. This leaves Penelo in the dust with nothing to bring to the table in the plot. She does get some level of importance as Larsa's friend but it doesn't come into the story much.

* Television Tropes ''& Idioms''- and now officially [[NoNewStockPhrases just tropes]].

* WesternAnimation/DaffyDuck is often this to WesternAnimation/BugsBunny in the WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes shorts, particularly in ''WesternAnimation/ShowBizBugs'', where Bugs gets all the cheers, much to Daffy's dismay.

[[folder: Anime and Manga ]]

[[folder: Comic Books ]]

[[folder: Film ]]

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

[[folder: Newspaper Comics ]]

[[folder: Pinball ]]

[[folder: Professional Wrestling ]]

[[folder: Tabletop Games ]]

[[folder: Wiki/TV Tropes ]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

* Teddy in ''[[VideoGame/{{Mother1}} EarthBoundZero]]''. Is branded as one of the main characters, can be named manually before the game begins, but only joins the party briefly, very late in the game.

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

** Vince's Devils - Victoria in comparison to Torrie Wilson and Candice Michelle. Despite being easily the best wrestler of them, the other two were very over {{Ms Fanservice}}s.
** Pretty Mean Sisters - Ryan Shamrock to Jacqueline and Terri Runnels. While Jacqueline was a brilliant wrestler and multiple champion, and Terri one of the most recognisable managers, Ryan never lasted long enough to do anything much.
** The Beautiful People - Lacey von Eric to Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne. While Madison and Velvet were good enough in the ring or at least charismatic enough to be a presence, Lacey was obviously very green and didn't last long in TNA.

** Team PCB had {{Wrestling/Paige}}. {{Wrestling/Charlotte}} was the star of the team and the eventual champion, while Wrestling/BeckyLynch was a very over fan-favourite and MoralityPet. Paige took all the losses and eventually got fed up with being outshined, turning on the group.
** Team Bella had Brie Bella. With Nikki Bella being the current reigning Divas' Champion, she was the clear leader. Alicia Fox meanwhile was presented as a WildCard who joined the team out of {{Genre Savvy}}ness. Brie rarely won and served to take pins for her sister's challengers.
** Team BAD had Wrestling/TaminaSnuka. Wrestling/SashaBanks was undefeated and the clear star, while {{Wrestling/Naomi}} had been pushed as a title contender and got the odd win. Tamina was merely there to fulfil TheWorfEffect and would rarely get wins herself.

->''The glee club's been ignoring Tina all year long. Actually, she kinda got ignored last year too. Actually, Tina's sorta been ignored the whole time and she's been in the New Directions since, like, forever.''

* Parodied, of course, in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "Lisa's Rival". Lisa takes solace in that there's nothing wrong being the second-best at anything. She then imagines a future in which she, Art Garfunkel, Jim Messina, and John Oates play their #2 song ''"Born To Be Runners Up"''. The concert is sponsored by (#2 car rental company) Avis. They get booed off the stage, and she wakes up {{lampshad|eHanging}}ing the FridgeLogic of why people would show up to their concert just to boo them.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'': Starring Vaan, Penelo, Ashe, Balthier, Basch, and Fran with equal billing as main characters. The story is really about Ashe, Balthier, Basch, and Fran. Vaan is a FirstPersonPeripheralNarrator that's relevant in relation to the other 4. This leaves Penelo in the dust with nothing to bring to the table in the plot.

* Marty Jannetty is basically the poster child for this in the wrestling business, to the point that his name has become locker room slang for the lesser star in any given tag team.