Interesting observation, Gardener.
I don't understand why Wormtongue was so devoted to Saruman, but I don't think he was deluded like Puzzle was into mistaking Saruman's requests of him were out of some (bizarre) form of friendship. Also I see Saruman as becoming consumed with a lust for power for power's sake, whereas Shift is quite a bit simpler; he wanted power because that meant more goodies for him to enjoy (more nuts and bananas) and he could manipulate others to serve his gluttony and laziness. Both were pretty self-consumed characters masquerading as servants of the good, but Shift was an opportunistic bully whereas Saruman was ruthlessly contemptuous of others. Shift was driven by fleshly appetites, whereas Saruman was driven by self-exalting pride. Shift still needed others to help him get his numnums, but Saruman really didn't need anyone -- he built his own army, and allowed others like Wormtongue to be his slaves.