Andy Richter Controls the Universe

Format: Comedy

Created by: Victor Fresco

Starring: Andy Richter, Paget Brewster, Jonathan Slavin, James Patrick
Stuart, Irene Molloy

Country of origin: United States

No. of seasons: 2

No. of episodes: 19 (List of episodes)

Production

Running time 20–22 minutes

Production company(s): Garfield Grove Productions, 20th Century Fox
Television, Paramount Network Television

Distributor: CBS Television Distribution (U.S.), and 20th Television
(Global)
Broadcast

Original channel: Fox

Picture format: 4:3 SDTV and 16:9 HDTV

Original run: March 19, 2002 – January 12, 2003

Andy Richter Controls the Universe is a sitcom which aired from 2002–2003 on
the Fox network. The series was Andy Richter's first starring role after
leaving NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien in 2000.

It ran for two seasons, totaling nineteen episodes, and was canceled due in
part to poor ratings. The show was a joint production of 20th Century Fox
Television and Paramount Network Television. Paramount's successor CBS
Television Distribution has distribution rights to the series in the United
States while Fox retains global distribution rights.
TV Guide included the series in their 2013 list of 60 shows that were
"Cancelled Too Soon".

Characters

The surnames of the characters are very rarely mentioned - with the exception
of Andy, most are only mentioned once in the entire series.
Andy Richter

The character, sharing his name with the actor, is an aspiring writer living
in Chicago who wants to write short stories. However, he is forced to work as
a technical manual writer for Pickering Industries, the fifth largest company
in America, to pay the bills. Andy is shy and not good with women. He doesn't
really want to be working at the company, though he is very good at his job.
Jessica Green Played by Paget Brewster, Jessica worked with Andy for years
before she became the head of Andy's department, and thus, his boss. They
tried dating once, but it didn't work out. She often has to act as an
intermediary between her superiors, and Andy and his co-workers, forcing her
to take sides. She is fairly superficial when it comes to men.

Keith Played by James Patrick Stuart, Keith is Andy's best friend and
co-worker and one usually sticks-up for the other. He is the handsome guy in
the office who has things handed to him because he's good-looking.

Wendy McKay Played by Irene Molloy, Wendy is the receptionist at Andy's
office. As of the pilot, she had only been working there a month. Andy is
attracted to her, but found out that since he had not made a move in a month,
Keith has started to date her.

Byron Togler Played by Jonathan Slavin, Byron is a new illustrator who moves
into Andy's office, which causes Andy annoyance in the pilot episode. Byron
is fairly insecure and shy.

Other characters

Pickering Industries is founded by Mr. Pickering (John Bliss) in 1880.
Despite being over 170 years old, and dead, he appears in several episodes
and has discussions with Andy within his imagination. His viewpoints are
typically antiquated and contrary to political correctness to an extreme
degree. His comments often seem to represent a negative aspect of Andy's
mind, such as guilt, or self-doubt.

Teak (Charlie Finn) and Phil (Sean Gunn) live in the same building as Andy.
They had been members of the same fraternity as Andy, ten years after Andy
was a member. As such, they look up to him. It is hinted that Phil might be
homosexual.

Guest appearances

Conan O'Brien appears as Pickering's new CEO in the episode "Crazy in Rio."
Other stars to have guest roles include Cedric Yarbrough, Jon Cryer, Molly
Sims, Beth Littleford, Rick Peters, Bree Turner, Jarrad Paul, Rex Lee, Lola
Glaudini, and June Lockhart, who plays Andy's grandmother.
Structure

The series' plots were fairly typical of sitcoms with Andy getting himself
into a situation and having to find a solution. The unique aspects were
several unusual devices that defined the show.

First was Richter's voiceover which essentially narrated the plot, as well as
Andy's thought processes in each episode. Secondly, and connected to the
first was Andy's imagination, which was presented onscreen as if it were
reality until it was revealed in a smash cut accompanied by the sound of
rewinding audio tape. This is often used to demonstrate alternatives to what
actually happened for a given event.

A theme of the show which uses these techniques was its original working
title, Anything Can Happen; a thought which Richter imparts to the audience
in the narration of the opening teaser of the series premiere.
Production

Although canceled after two mid-season runs (totaling 19 episodes), reruns
currently air on HDNet. It was also shown on the Paramount Comedy Channel,
the Irish network TV3 and on the Polish edition of Comedy Central.
The outside shots of Andy's office are taken from the Duke & Duke building
from Trading Places.

Episodes

List of Andy Richter Controls the Universe episodes/U.S. Television Ratings
Season Episodes Season Premiere Season Finale Ranking Viewers
(in millions)

1 2001–02 6 March 19, 2002 April 23, 2002 #91 7.4
2 2002–03 13 December 1, 2002 June 14, 2003 #111 7.0

DVD release

On March 24, 2009, CBS DVD (distributed by Paramount) released all 19
episodes of Andy Richter Controls the Universe on DVD in Region 1.
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment holds the international DVD rights, but
has yet to make a release anywhere.

DVD Name Ep # Release Date Additional Information
Andy Richter Controls the Universe: The Complete Series 19, March 24, 2009 Audio commentaries

How Andy Richter Controlled the Universe featurette
What if Andy Richter Controlled the Universe featurette

Soundtrack

All music from the show was written by Greg Burns, Jeff Burns, and Brian
Kirk. The theme song is sung by Jason Cropper, the original guitarist for
Weezer. The song was written for the show, and there is not a full version
beyond the short clip in the beginning. However, a slightly longer version of
the song is evident on the pilot episode.

See also

Quintuplets – Andy Richter's subsequent sitcom
Andy Barker, P.I. – Andy Richter's third sitcom