History Main / NumberTwoForBrains

->'''Chris''': I realized while I was watching this today that Otis is basically the [[TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] HarleyQuinn. And you don’t like her, either.\\
'''David''': I at least understand why the Joker would keep a stupid sycophant around.\\
--'''David Uzumeri''' and '''Chris Sims''' [[http://comicsalliance.com/superman-ii-review/ on]] ''Film/SupermanII''

* In ''WesternAnimation/BikerMiceFromMars'', given the limited budget available to him from the [[BiggerBad council of Plutark]], Greasepit was probably hired by [[BigBad Limburger]] primarily because he was cheap. It's sure as heck not because of any competence on Greasepit's part.

Number Two (''slang noun'')

# [[BreadEggsMilkSquick Feces]].

Usually PlayedForLaughs and a true sign that the guy in charge is truly SurroundedByIdiots. Compare BrainsAndBrawn, where the (possibly) stupid sidekick doesn't hold a position of authority. See also TheDragon, TheLancer, NumberTwo, TheIgor, and PointyHairedBoss. May be TheStarscream, but is virtually ''never'' DragonInChief--unless his boss is even more of a dingbat. Very often falls under DumbMuscle. Contrast HypercompetentSidekick, which often diametrically inverts this trope by being paired up with an inept boss instead.

* Sergeant Colon in ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'', in [[Discworld/GuardsGuards Guards! Guards!]]. Maybe not actively stupid, but certainly not bright and on top of things. And a disaster as Captain in ''Discworld/TheFifthElephant''.

# The right-hand man, TheLancer[=/=]TheDragon, the second-in-command.

* ''Manga/OnePiece'' had [[MultiArmedAndDangerous Hatchan]] to [[EverythingsWorseWithSharks Arlong]] who interestingly, gained some IQ points after his HeelFaceTurn.

* In ''WesternAnimation/BikerMiceFromMars'', given the limited budget available to him from the [[BiggerBad council of Plutark]], Greasepit was probably hired by [[BigBad Limburger]] primarily because he wasn't cheap. It's sure as heck not because of any competence on Greasepit's part.

* Greasepit from ''BikerMiceFromMars''. Just ''why'' Limburger puts up with that oaf is anyone's guess.
** Well one episode shows that [[BigBad Limburger]] is on a budget put up by the [[BiggerBad council of Plutark]] so if he goes over it he's over it, pretty sure Greasepit is dirt cheap.
* [[WesternAnimation/BeastWars Scorponok]] fits this trope to a T. He was really kind of an idiot; really the only things he had to his name were his [[UndyingLoyalty loyalty]] and some surprising talents with inventing (though when his inventions went wrong, they went [[GoneHorriblyWrong wrong.]]) To be fair, his loyalty certainly was a commodity what with the likes of [[TheStarscream Terrorsaur]] and [[TheMole Tarantulas]] on board.
* Since his selection is limited, [[PinkyAndTheBrain The Brain]] has to rely on Pinky a lot in his schemes. This is frequently their undoing -- ''almost'' as frequently as [[HoistByHisOwnPetard Brain's own overconfidence]].

* [[WesternAnimation/BeastWars Scorponok]] fits this trope to a T. He was really kind of an idiot; really the only things he had to his name were his [[UndyingLoyalty loyalty]] and some surprising talents with inventing (though when his inventions went wrong, they went [[GoneHorriblyWrong wrong.]]) To be fair, his loyalty certainly was a commodity what with the likes of [[TheStarscream Terrorsaur]] and [[TheMole Tarantulas]] on board.

# Feces.

NumberTwoForBrains combines both meanings: the first applies to the position, the second to the skull's contents.

Number Two (''slang noun'')
# The right-hand man, TheLancer[=/=]TheDragon, the second-in-command.
# Feces.

NumberTwoForBrains combines both meanings: the first applies to the position, the second to the skull's contents.

In other words, this is when the one who has authority over the others, gets orders from and reports ''directly'' to the boss, and has to keep everything running smoothly is a ''moron''.

----
!Examples
[[AC:Film]]
* Dark Helmet from ''Film/{{Spaceballs}}'' is none too bright. He is also really short.

* Otis in ''{{Film/Superman}}''.
* Hedley Lamarr's flunky, Lyle, in ''BlazingSaddles''.

[[AC:Literature]]
* Sergeant Colon in ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'', in [[Discworld/GuardsGuards Guards! Guards!]]. Maybe not actively stupid, but certainly not bright and on top of things. And a disaster as Captain in ''Discworld/TheFifthElephant''.

[[AC:Live Action TV]]
* In ''{{Weeds}}'', U-Turn spent a great deal of time chiding his friendly but incompetent underling Marvin, eventually [[spoiler:pushing him over the edge.]]

[[AC:Western Animation]]

* Dark Helmet from ''{{Spaceballs}}'' is none too bright. He is also really short.

* [[WesternAnimation/BeastWars Scorponok]] fits this trope to a T. He was really kind of an idiot; really the only things he had to his name were his [[UndyingLoyalty loyalty]] and some surprising talents with inventing (though when his inventions went wrong, they went [[GoneHorriblyWrong wrong.]]) To be fair, his loyalty certainly was a commodity what with the likes of [[TheStarscream Terrorsaur]] and [[TheMole Tarantulas]] on board.

* The sequel to ''{{Uncharted}}'' gives us [[spoiler:Harry Flynn]], who pulls a FaceHeelTurn early on, and demonstrates an outstanding lack of common sense more or less continuously, as well as deduction and decryption chops that would not shame a watermelon (although it's a bit unfair when the competition is [[AdventurerArchaeologist Nate Drake]]). Sadly, the BigBad is also a BadBoss.

Usually PlayedForLaughs and a true sign that the guy in charge is truly SurroundedByIdiots. Compare BrainsAndBrawn, where the (possibly) stupid sidekick doesn't hold a position of authority. See also TheDragon, TheLancer, NumberTwo, TheIgor, and PointyHairedBoss. May be TheStarscream, but is virtually ''never'' DragonInChief--unless his boss is even more of a dingbat. Very often falls under DumbMuscle.

* [[BeastWars Scorponok]] fits this trope to a T. He was really kind of an idiot; really the only things he had to his name were his [[UndyingLoyalty loyalty]] and some surprising talents with inventing (though when his inventions went wrong, they went [[GoneHorriblyWrong wrong.]]) To be fair, his loyalty certainly was a commodity what with the likes of [[TheStarscream Terrorsaur]] and [[TheMole Tarantulas]] on board.

** Dark Helmet's own Dragon, Colonel Sandurz, is arguably an inversion of this trope, as he seems to often be the only one with half a brain in the whole Spaceball fleet.

* [[BeastWars Scorponok]] fits this trope to a T. He was really kind of an idiot; really the only things he had to his name were his [[UndyingLoyalty loyalty]] and some surprising talents with inventing (though when his inventions went wrong, they went [[GoneHorriblyWrong ''wrong''.]])

* Greasepit from ''BikerMiceFromMars''. Just ''why'' Limburger puts up with that oaf is anyone's guess.

* Kronk in ''Disney/TheEmperorsNewGroove''. One of the most lovably stupid lackies of all time.

* Bebop and Rocksteady of ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987''.

* Dark Helmet from SpaceBalls is none too bright. He is also really short.

* Kronk in TheEmperorsNewGroove. One of the most lovably stupid lackies of all time.