The Jeeves: Difference between revisions

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{{examples}}

* The central premise of ''[[Black Butler]]''

* [[Old Retainer|Genji]] and especially [[Supreme Chef|Gohda]] from ''[[Umineko no Naku Koro ni]]'' fall into this trope.

* Vimes' butler Willikins in the ''[[Discworld]]'' books encompasses both this trope and its subversion: normally, he is the perfect Jeeves (minus the subtle manipulation of a wayward master), but in his childhood or when the situation demands, he was and becomes a thug.

** Indeed, in ''[[Jingo]]'' he switches from one to the other in mid-sentence. "''Let 'em 'ave it right up the...'' oh, is that you, Sir Samuel?"

*** Also in the same book, Willikins admits to having been a street gang member (in a gang even Vimes, a gang kid and possibly the Disc's dirtiest fighter, describes as a tough, mean lot) in his youth, favoring a cap-brim lined with sharpened penny coins. We also see him assisting the watch as a volunteer reservist later. Vimes marvels at the difference in Willikins' working-class background and his current highbrow butler status.

** In ''[[Snuff]]'', {{spoiler|Vimes insists that Willikins come with the family to the country manor. Willikins acts as personal manservant, preparing drinks and getting the manor's staff to respect their new master, and bodyguard, heavy on the latter. While the examples above could fall into service or self-defence, some of Willikins' actions are very shady, things Vimes may want to but won't order, such as shooting at an old lady while making a gang think one of their own did it, making them definitely in the wrong and giving the police an opening; and killing the [[Psycho for Hire]] when he escapes for a second time, rather than delivering him to the police.}}

* Mr. Butler from the [[Phryne Fisher]] novels. He keeps Phryne's eccentric household running like clockwork and is never put out by any request, no matter how odd.

 

* Massively defied by Edmund Blackadder in ''[[Blackadder]] the Third'', who constantly manipulates his self-confessed "thick as a whale omelette" employer for his own ends. Interestingly, his employer is portrayed by [[Hugh Laurie]], who also played Wooster.

* Geoffrey from the sitcom ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]].''

* Carson from ''[[Downton Abbey]]''. Only [[World War I]] can stop him from running the house perfectly

 

* Speed definitely comes off this way in ''[[Two Gentlemen of Verona]]''; he's a cheerful [[Servile Snarker]] with an unbelievably quick wit, as likely to rib his master for being in love as he is to help him put his gloves on.

* Tranio in ''[[The Taming of the Shrew]]''—a [[Gentleman and a Scholar]] who's willing to do [[Puss in Boots|literally anything to help his master out]]. (And, incidentally, to help himself to some of his master's power.) Lucentio never does a thing without consulting him.

{{quote|'''Caleb:''' You throw like a girl, Tucksworth.

'''Tuxworth:''' Caleb, that suitcase was ''heavy!'' }}

* [http://uk.ask.com/ Ask Jeeves]. Back by popular demand.

 

* In ''[[Gargoyles]]'', Xanatos's secretary/butler/manservant/majordomo/whatever Owen Burnett (who chose this life over... Nah, that would be telling).

** And Preston Vogel, whom Owen modeled his personality {{spoiler|and current form}} on.

* An episode of ''[[Jimmy Two-Shoes]]'' had Beezy getting a butler who literally ''lived his life for him''.

* [[Archer]] has a butler named [[Spell My Name with an "S"|Woodhouse]] ([[P. G. Wodehouse|get it?]]), who is definitely more down-to-earth than his employer. Unusually, in contrast to the norm wherein The Jeeves is the one "really in charge", Archer treats Woodhouse like shit (although we frequently get hints that the valet has his own little ways of getting revenge).

 

{{reflist}}