Culture

Andy Richter Reunites with Conan O’Brien for 'Tonight Show' Gig

by Jarrett Martineau | February 24, 2009 at 02:11 pm

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Andy Richter never quite had the solo career he'd likely hoped for when he left The Tonight Show the first time round — and now he'll have the opportunity to do it all over again.

Richter will be reuniting with Conan O'Brien as the announcer for the "new incarnation" of the Tonight Show on NBC.

Could this mean more installments of "In the Year 2000"? I certainly hope so!

Andy Richter is reuniting with Conan O’Brien, signing on to serve as announcer for Mr. O’Brien’s new incarnation of “The Tonight Show.”

NBC is expected to announce the decision later today.

Mr. Richter and Mr. O’Brien entered the pop culture landscape together in 1993, with Mr. Richter serving as sidekick to Mr. O’Brien when Mr. O’Brien took over from David Letterman as host of NBC’s “Late Night.” Mr. Richter left “Late Night” in 2000 to focus on acting.

On “Tonight,” Mr. Richter will not be a nightly desk-side presence as he was on “Late Night.” He will, however, participate in both live and pre-taped comedy bits.

“Andy is one of the funniest people I know, and we’ve maintained a close friendship since he left ‘Late Night,’” Mr. O’Brien said. “We have a proven chemistry that will be an incredible asset to ‘The Tonight Show.’”

What’s more, there’s a practical reason for Mr. Richter to join the “Tonight Show” team. “He owes me $300,” Mr. O’Brien said.