Who does a hero turn to for support? How does a tough as nails cop lighten up a little? Who do fan fiction writers pair up with their main characters to create some truly disturbing story lines? The answer to all these questions is sidekicks.

Without sidekicks, lead characters would simply have nobody to talk to. So Starpulse has decided to honor some of the sidekicks that have made television a little more enjoyable:

Rhoda Morgenstern

Sidekick to Mary Richards

From: The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977)

Portrayed by Valerie Harper

Before Romy and Michele had a reunion...

Shows about the police force or law enforcement in general have become commonplace on television. Over the years shows like Hill Street Blues, Dragnet, and NYPD Blue made an impact on TV audiences. More recently, series like 24, The Shield, CSI and The Wire have focused on the gritty aspects of crime fighting.

What are the top five crime fighters on television in the last 10 years? After conducting a great deal of research and some painful debate, we have compiled the list below, in alphabetical order.

Jack Bauer - 24

The man is a living legend and has saved the United Stat...

"Homicide: Life on the Street" is one of the least-watched long-running police dramas that ever aired. It is superior in every way to its contemporaries "Law & Order" and "NYPD Blue" and the modern "CSI". Picking up the mantle of realism left bare by the departure of "Hill Street Blues", "Homicide" detailed the everyday happenings in Baltimore's Homicide Division.

It was shot mainly using hand-held cameras in a style that would become the norm for gritty realistic crime dramas on both the big and small screen. The series' true ensemble cast prominently featured the excellent Andre...

TV network ABC has failed in its attempt to overturn a ruling penalizing the broadcaster for depicting illicit nude scenes in an episode of NYPD Blue.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) refused to alter its judgment and the TV channel will now be forced to pay a multi-million dollar fine for showing female nudity before the American television watershed.

More than 40 affiliate TV stations have landed $27,500 fines for the 2003 episode which was said to have featured "multiple, close-up views" of an actress' buttocks. The total fine will be approximately $1.2 million.

...

"A Different World," a half-hour sitcom about students at fictional Hillman College, was on the air from 1987 to 1993. It was the creation of Bill Cosby and originally served as a spin-off venue for then Cosby kid Lisa "Denise" Bonet.

However, it wasn't until Lisa Bonet was booted from the show (due to a pregnancy) that "A Different World" really took off in popularity. Fueled by a core ensemble cast of likeable characters - Dwayne, Whitley, Freddie, Kim, Jaleesa, Ron, and Walter - "A Different World" was in the top 10 shows in the Nielsen ratings for five of the six years it aired.

...

TV network ABC is facing a multi-million dollar fine after it aired an episode of NYPD Blue depicting female nudity. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reports a show broadcast in 2003 featured "multiple, close-up views" of a lady's rear.

The FCC rules "sexual or excretory activities" shown in an "offensive" way prior to 11 p.m. are indecent - however ABC insists the buttocks are not a sexual organ and plan to appeal the ruling.

An ABC spokeswoman pointed out the program was broadcast with parental warnings and "the realistic nature of NYPD Blue's storylines was well-kn...

A former girlfriend of actor Esai Morales has re-accused him of raping her and giving her herpes - and this time she claims there are other women who will testify on her behalf.

Elizabeth Mazzocchi initially accused the former NYPD Blue star of sexual misconduct in July, but she held a press conference in Los Angeles on Friday morning, during which she reported she has been contacted by other "victims" of Morales.

At the conference, Mazzocchi reiterated she started dating Morales in January 2006 and moved into the actor's home two months later. She claimed her ex started "physic...

Happy Birthday to actor Joaquin Phoenix (1974), Former Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (1972), singer/songwriter Ben Harper (1968), Pretty Woman Julia Roberts (1967), software tycoon Bill Gates (1955), Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner (1949), NYPD Blue actor Dennis Franz (1944), southern rock fiddler, Charlie Daniels (1937), and discoverer of the polio vaccine Dr. Jonas Salk (1914).

Nothing makes you feel older than when you realize that 1987 was 20 years ago. Those of us born and/or raised in the 1980s remember a time of outrageous fashion, outrageous music, and most of all, outrageous television.

But most of us have also made the transition from the 1980s to the present day with relative ease - we've put away our scrunchies, retired our parachute pants, cut out our shoulder pads, and we've moved onwards and upwards (into the stylized 00s).

But what about the television stars we love and hate? Did they ever manage to leave it all behind? Starpulse is sick ...

Happy Birthday to Olympic gymnasts Paul and Morgan Hamm (1982), WWE star Stephanie McMahon (1976), Slipknot percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan (1969), "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" star Nia Vardalos (1962), "Hercules" star Kevin Sorbo (1958), Morphine bassist Mark Sandman (1952; d. 1999), Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar (1951), "NewsRadio" star Phil Hartman (1948; d. 1998), "NYPD Blue" actor Gordon Clapp (1948), Gerry and the Pacemakers singer Gerry Marsden (1942), singer Linda McCartney (1941; d. 1998), "Muppets" creator Jim Henson (1936; d. 1990), and "The Great Gatsby" author F. Scott...

"I run six-to-eight miles a day, plus weights and aerobics in the lunch hour. I also lie a lot, which keeps me thin." House star Hugh Laurie on his fitness regime.

"We used to joke that Ralph Lauren made an entire career of copying his dress." Robert Redford's longtime publicist Lois Smith claims designer Lauren should credit the movie mogul for his success.

"I'm literally hired to express thoughts, so Botox makes me feel like a painter who's tucked away her reds." Former NYPD Blue star Amy Brenneman.

-Hugh Laurie Pictures

(This news article provided by World Entertainme...

Former NYPD Blue star Amy Brenneman fears her famous nude scene on the hit TV cop series will come back to haunt her. The actress became one of the first women to bare all on primetime TV back in 1993, and though her saucy scene was brief, she knows there are hundreds of outtakes still in existence.

She says, "They shot lots of unused stuff for that nude scene, which I'm convinced is now on Swedish TV somewhere."

-Amy Brenneman Pictures

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

Courteney Cox and David Arquette have discovered that selling their home to the owner of baseball team the Los Angeles Dodgers reaps dividends - free tickets.

The couple were guests of Frank and Jamie McCourt on Tuesday night when the Dodgers beat the Washington Nationals 4-3. The McCourt's bought Cox and Arquette's Malibu, California mansion for $32 million in July.

The low-key Hollywood couple also made it on to Dodgers Stadium's big screen towards the end of the game - Cox smiled sheepishly as Arquette seemed thrilled to be the center of attention.

They weren't the only...

New York-based Svoy was born in a small port city in the Russian Far East and has let music lead him on an incredible journey, from the late night piano musings of his next door neighbor, to the Russian Academy of Music to study with the legendary and beloved Russian bebop pianist Igor Bril. Music had a larger plan for Svoy, however, and he was offered a scholarship to Boston's Berklee College of Music and it was there that Svoy found his true musical calling. Svoy jokes, "I entered Berklee as a Jazz pianist and left as a Pop Electronica artist. I think a lot of my professors won't forgive...

Happy Birthday To Mambo #5 singer Lou Bega (1975), singer Aaron Lewis (1972), "NYPD Blue" actor Rick Schroder (1970), actress/talk show host Caroline Rhea (1964), b-movie actress Jennifer Rubin (1962), E-Street Band drummer Max Weinberg (1951), singer Peabo Bryson (1951), TV and film actor William Sadler (1950), "Hellboy" star Ron Perlman (1950), R&B icon Al Green (1946), "Leave It To Beaver" actor Tony Dow (1945), Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna bassist Jack Casady (1944), film actor Paul Sorvino (1939), "Wonder Woman" actor Lyle Waggoner (1935), "Get Smart" actor Don Adams (1923; d. 2005), A...

Henry Simmons (NYPD Blue, Lackawanna Blues, Madea's Family Reunion), who has had a recurring role on Shark since he first guest-starred in the series' second episode, joins the cast in a regular role. Simmons plays Isaac Wright, who was first introduced in the Sept. 28, 2006 episode ("LAPD Blue") of "Shark."

In Simmons' debut episode, Sebastian (James Woods), ironically, won his case against a murderous drug dealer by revealing that Isaac (Simmons), an LAPD detective, had planted evidence on his dead partner in a desperate attempt to ensure that the drug dealer-killer would definitely...

Happy Birthday to hockey star Dany Heatley (1981), Spice Girl Emma Bunton (1976), "NYPD Blue" actress Charlotte Ross (1968), Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay (1965; d. 2002), "Commander-in-Chief" star Geena Davis (1956), Caribbean musician/singer Billy Ocean (1950), "LA Law" actress Jill Eikenberry (1947), "War" singer Edwin Starr (1942), country singer Mac Davis (1942), folk singer Richie Havens (1941), Spanish tenor Placido Domingo (1941), golf legend Jack Nicklaus (1940), American DJ and actor Wolfman Jack (1939; d. 1995), "Kojak" star Telly Savalas (1924; d. 1994), and Confederate general Thom...

Known just as much for his permed hair as he is for his animated performances and quick wit, comedian Katt Williams has been making his mark in Hollywood for over 10 years. Beginning his career at an age when most teenagers are seeking their drivers license, the young comic quickly discovered that he had a gift for making people laugh. Inspired by the likes of great humorists such as Richard Pryor, Don Knotts, Eddie Murphy, Bill Cosby, George Carlin, Thomas Marshall, Jeff Foxworthy, Whoopi Goldberg and Dave Chappelle, whom he calls the Malcolm X of comedy, Katt Williams entertaining standup...

Happy Birthday to actor Joaquin Phoenix (1974), Former Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (1972), singer/songwriter Ben Harper (1968), Pretty Woman Julia Roberts (1967), software tycoon Bill Gates (1955), Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner (1949), NYPD Blue actor Dennis Franz (1944), southern rock fiddler, Charlie Daniels (1937), and discoverer of the polio vaccine Dr. Jonas Salk (1914).

Happy Birthday to Olympic gymnasts Paul and Morgan Hamm (1982), WWE star Stephanie McMahon (1976), Slipknot percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan (1969), "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" star Nia Vardalos (1962), "Hercules" star Kevin Sorbo (1958), Morphine bassist Mark Sandman (1952; d. 1999), Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar (1951), "NewsRadio" star Phil Hartman (1948; d. 1998), "NYPD Blue" actor Gordon Clapp (1948), Gerry and the Pacemakers singer Gerry Marsden (1942), singer Linda McCartney (1941; d. 1998), "Muppets" creator Jim Henson (1936; d. 1990), and "The Great Gatsby" author F. Scott...

There's a BUNCH of new DVD releases this week: Check out the fifth seasons of The King of Queens or Married ... With Children. The fourth seasons of NYPD Blue, Newsradio and the Mary Tyler Moore Show are also available. Or Superhero fans can get their hands on the third season of Lois & Clark - The New Adventures of Superman.

Former NYPD Blue star Kim Delaney has reportedly checked into a California rehabilitation clinic after years of battling alcohol problems. The actress, 44, entered the Promises rehab center in Malibu last week, according to website PageSix.com.

Delaney was arrested for drink-driving in March 2002 and spent time in an Arizona clinic in 2003 to treat her addiction. However, last year she lost custody of her teenage son Jack Cortese after he told a California court she had put his life in danger by drunk driving.

Learn more about Kim HERE.

(This news article provided by World E...

Former Saved By The Bell star Mark-Paul Gosselaar has become a father for the second time - his wife has given birth to a baby daughter. Lisa delivered Ava Lorenn at noon yesterday at a hospital in Los Angeles. The couple already has a two-year-old son, Michael Charles.

The Gosselaars met on the set of Saved By The Bell spin-off Saved By The Bell: The College Years and married in 1996. Since quitting the kids show, the 32-year-old has starred in NYPD Blue and Commander In Chief.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

Happy Birthday To Mambo #5 singer Lou Bega (1975), singer Aaron Lewis (1972), "NYPD Blue" actor Rick Schroder (1970), actress/talk show host Caroline Rhea (1964), b-movie actress Jennifer Rubin (1962), E-Street Band drummer Max Weinberg (1951), singer Peabo Bryson (1951), TV and film actor William Sadler (1950), "Hellboy" star Ron Perlman (1950), R&B icon Al Green (1946), "Leave It To Beaver" actor Tony Dow (1945), Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna bassist Jack Casady (1944), film actor Paul Sorvino (1939), "Wonder Woman" actor Lyle Waggoner (1935), "Get Smart" actor Don Adams (1923; d. 2005), A...

This week on DVD: The complete third season of NYPD Blue. The series is best known for breaking down such network TV taboos as profanity and nudity, though what seemed to be scandalous when the series originally signed on was virtually kid stuff in the early years of the 21st century. Also on DVD: 3rd Rock From The Sun season three and What's New Scooby-Doo? Vol. 8.

Click here for more new TV shows on DVD

Click here for new movies on DVD

Happy Birthday to hockey star Dany Heatley (1981), Spice Girl Emma Bunton (1976), "NYPD Blue" actress Charlotte Ross (1968), Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay (1965; d. 2002), "Commander-in-Chief" star Geena Davis (1956), Caribbean musician/singer Billy Ocean (1950), "LA Law" actress Jill Eikenberry (1947), "War" singer Edwin Starr (1942), country singer Mac Davis (1942), folk singer Richie Havens (1941), Spanish tenor Placido Domingo (1941), golf legend Jack Nicklaus (1940), American DJ and actor Wolfman Jack (1939; d. 1995), "Kojak" star Telly Savalas (1924; d. 1994), and Confederate general Thom...

Production has begun on season two of the ABC comedy Jake in Progress. Charlotte Ross (NYPD Blue) and Dondre T. Whitfield join the cast, which features John Stamos, Ian Gomez, Rick Hoffman and Wendie Malick. The series will air midseason on ABC.

The fast-paced comedy follows New York publicist Jake (Stamos) and his friends as they juggle life, love and commitment. This season Jake’s former fiancée, Annie (Ross), is unexpectedly back on the scene, and Jake gives settling down some serious thought (even though she’s engaged to someone else). Best pal Adrian (Gomez) offers advice from a m...

Happy Birthday to actor Joaquin Phoenix (1974), Former Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (1972), singer/songwriter Ben Harper (1968), Pretty Woman Julia Roberts (1967), software tycoon Bill Gates (1955), Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner (1949), NYPD Blue actor Dennis Franz (1944), southern rock fiddler, Charlie Daniels (1937), and discoverer of the polio vaccine Dr. Jonas Salk (1914).

Mark-Paul Gosselaar is joining the cast of Commander In Chief as of episode nine. Gosselaar will play a slick, savvy media strategist. His character's name is still to be determined. This marks the second time the actor has worked with Steven Bochco, who created and executive-produced NYPD Blue, in which Gosselaar starred from 2001-2005.

Commander In Chief, starring Academy-Award winner Geena Davis as the first female president, was recently picked up for a full season order. It airs on Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. on ABC.

Related Links:

Mark-Paul Gosselaar on Starpulse

Commander in...

This November, critically acclaimed actors "will go missing" or be on the "brink of despair" in their guest-starring roles in Without a Trace. Details on their episodes and characters follow:

Nov. 3 -- SAG Award Winner Alex Kingston (ER)

Jack (Anthony LaPaglia) and Danny (Enrique Murciano) head to Mexico to find a wealthy American vacationer who was abducted at gunpoint in front of his new wife (Kingston). Kingston's former ER co-star Paul McCrane directed the episode.

Nov. 10 -- Emmy Award Winner Gordon Clapp (NYPD Blue)

The team's quest to find a man (Clapp) who reportedly...