From The Simpsons to BoJack to Mad Men: TV’s Best Assistants and What We Can Learn from Them
Judah from Bojack Horseman Credit: Netflix
BoJack Horseman is my all-time favorite show. I’ve spent more time than I care to admit on the subreddit, analyzing every frame, every line, every gut-wrenching moment of existential despair. But I digress.
And while the show is packed with unforgettable characters, one of the most underrated is Judah Mannowdog—the ultimate assistant.
If you’ve watched BoJack Horseman, you know that Judah wasn’t just an assistant—he was a force of nature. Unflappable, hyper-competent, proactive, and unwaveringly loyal to Princess Carolyn. He anticipated problems before they arose, solved issues before they became catastrophes, and did it all with the cool, measured demeanor of a man who never once raised his voice.
But beyond all that—Judah is wonderfully weird.
He’s delightfully awkward, a man so clearly on the spectrum (without it ever being explicitly stated) that his interactions are both endearing and unintentionally hilarious. He approaches every situation with a level of literalism and logic that makes social norms look ridiculous.
And yet, for all his quirks, he was the best assistant Princess Carolyn ever had. He saw through the noise, made her life easier, and, in the end, understood her better than she understood herself. Even his one mistake—turning down a buyout offer on her behalf—came from a place of deep insight. Judah didn’t just take orders; he anticipated what truly mattered.
And really, isn’t that the dream? An assistant who gets you—your priorities, your blind spots, your best interests—even before you do?
The Great Assistants of Film & TV
Judah may be my favorite, but he’s not the only one. Some assistants thrive on charm, others on sheer efficiency, and some on an unsettling level of devotion. Here are a few more who deserve recognition:
Waylon Smithers (The Simpsons) – The epitome of unwavering loyalty, though his devotion to Mr. Burns is often to his own detriment. Still, his ability to manage chaos (and an ancient, often senile boss) is impressive.
Miss Moneypenny (James Bond franchise) – A classic. She’s witty, sharp, and always keeps Bond in check. If MI6 had any real structure, she would have been running it instead of letting Bond go rogue every other mission.
Joan Holloway (Mad Men) – Technically an office manager, but let’s be real—Joan was the backbone of Sterling Cooper. She anticipated problems before they happened, knew how to handle egos, and was the true power behind the scenes.
Donna Paulsen (Suits) – The human embodiment of "I already handled it." If Judah is the king of logic, Donna is the queen of intuition—always five steps ahead, knowing exactly what needs to be done before anyone else does
Jonathan (30 Rock) – Jack Donaghy’s assistant who is obsessed with him to an unsettling degree. Not the best in terms of judgment, but his devotion and ability to read Jack’s needs make him stand out.
Donna Meagle (Parks and Recreation) – Played by Retta, Donna is technically an office manager, but her role is very assistant-like when it comes to managing bureaucratic chaos. She’s stylish, smart, and always has her own side hustle, making her the ultimate multitasker.
Donna from Suits Credit: IMDB
Great Assistants Aren’t Just Fictional
What do all these characters have in common?
They make everything easier. They turn chaos into order, ideas into action, and stress into someone else’s problem (theirs, specifically).
A great assistant isn’t just a supporting role—they’re a game-changer. Whether you need someone ultra-organized, highly intuitive, unshakably calm, or ruthlessly efficient, the right assistant makes all the difference.
And that’s exactly what we do at askChenai
No matter what kind of assistant you need—whether you’re looking for a Judah (logical, precise, and strategic), a Donna (intuitive and socially brilliant), a Smithers (loyal and discreet), a Miss Moneypenny (sharp and unflappable), or even a Jonathan (enthusiastic and eerily devoted)—we can help you find them, with our virtual assistant packages starting at just £159 per month.
Great assistants aren’t just for TV. They exist in real life too—you just need to know where to find them.
We love talking about great assistants—fictional or real. If you're looking for one, or just want to chat about Judah’s brilliance, let’s talk.
Reach out to us to find your next assistant!