top banana
Chief comedy star
Top banana is the lead comedian in a show, especially in burlesque or vaudeville, as opposed to the second banana who plays the supporting role.
By extension, top banana means the boss or most important person in any group: She's the top banana around here.
Workplace superior
- headUppermost body part
- chiefTop-ranking leader
- directorOne who leads
- executiveSenior organizational leader
manager · captain · commander · kingpin · ringleader · headliner · frontman · figurehead
Theatrical variety entertainment
- burlesqueExaggerated mockery or risqué variety
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
- shtickPerformer's signature gimmick
- comedianProfessional humor performer
funny man · straight man · comic · headliner · performer · gag · punchline · pratfall
Top-billed performer
- starLuminous astronomical object
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
- marquee nameFamous person who attracts
- showstopperSpectacular crowd-pleasing performance
crowd-pleaser · scene-stealer · prima donna · diva · celebrity · luminary · main attraction · center stage
boss
Workplace superior
executive · manager · captain · commander · kingpin · ringleader · headliner · frontman · figurehead · honcho
vaudeville
Theatrical variety entertainment
- burlesqueExaggerated mockery or risqué variety
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
- shtickPerformer's signature gimmick
comedian · funny man · straight man · comic · headliner · performer · gag · punchline · pratfall · sketch
headliner
Top-billed performer
- starLuminous astronomical object
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
- marquee nameFamous person who attracts
showstopper · crowd-pleaser · scene-stealer · prima donna · diva · celebrity · luminary · main attraction · center stage · spotlight
- bossesboss, bossman, manager, supervisor, foreman
top bananaunderling
Person of lower rank
subordinate · second fiddle · flunky · peon · nobody
top bananasecond banana
Supporting performer, not lead
understudy · supporting act · straight man · sidekick · warm-up act