| last_aired | num_episodes 19 | list_episodes List of Andy Richter Controls the Universe episodes }} Andy Richter Controls the Universe is a [[Situation comedy|sitcom]] which aired from 2002-2003 on the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox network]]. The series was [[Andy Richter]]s first starring role after leaving Late Night with Conan OBrien]] in 2000. It ran for two seasons, totaling 19 episodes, and was canceled due in part to poor ratings. ==Characters== The surnames of the characters are very rarely mentioned - with the exception of Andy, most are only once in the entire series.{{Citation needed|date=July 2007}} ===Andy Richter=== The character, sharing his name with the actor, was an aspiring writer living in [[Chicago]] who wanted to write short stories. However, he was forced to work as a technical manual writer for Pickering Industries, the fifth largest company in America, to pay the bills. Andy was shy and not good with women. He didnt really want to be working at the company, though he was very good at his job. ===Jessica Green=== Played by [[Paget Brewster]], Jessica worked with Andy for years before she became the head of Andy department, and thus, his boss. They tried dating once, but it didnt work out. She often had 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 was a friend and co-worker of Andys, and one usually stuck up for the other. He was the handsome guy in the office who had things handed to him because hes good-looking.

Wendy McKay

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

Byron Togler

Played by Jonathan Slavin Byron was a new illustrator who moved into Andys office, which caused Andy annoyance in the pilot episode. Byron was fairly insecure and shy.

Other characters

Pickering Industries was founded by Mr. Pickering (John Bliss in 1880. Despite being over 170 years old, and dead, he appeared in numerous episodes and had discussions with Andy within his imagination. His viewpoints were typically antiquated and contrary to political correctness to an extreme degree. His comments often seemed to represent a negative aspect of Andys mind, such as guilt, or self-doubt. Teak (Charlie Finn and Phil (Sean Gunn lived in the same building as Andy and were in the same Fraternities and sororities as him (but ten years later). As such, they looked up to him.

Guest appearances

Conan O'Brien appeared on his former sidekick and former [[Tonight Show with Conan OBrien|Tonight Show]] announcers show as Pickerings new CEO in the episode "Crazy in Rio." Other stars to have a guest role include Cedric Yarbrough Jon Cryer Molly Sims Lola Glaudini and June Lockhart who played Andys 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 Richters voiceover which essentially narrated the plot, as well as Andys thought processes in each episode. Secondly, and connected to the first was Andys 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 Republic of Ireland Network TV3 Ireland and on the Comedy Central Polska The show was a production of 20th Century Fox Television in association with Paramount Television The outside shots of Andys office are taken from the Duke & Duke building from [[Trading Places]]

Episodes

U.S. Television Ratings

| class"wikitable" style"text-align:center" |- style"background-color:#E0E0E0" ! colspan"2" |List of United States network television schedules ! List of Andy Richter Controls the Universe episodes ! Season_premiere ! Season Finale ! Ranking ! Viewers
(in millions) |- style"background-color:#E0E0E0" |- style"background-color:#F9F9F9" | 1 | style"font-size:11px;text-align:center"| 2001–02 United States network television schedule | 6 | March 19, 2002 | April 23, 2002 ! #91lt;/ref> ! 7.4 |- style"background-color:#F9F9F9" | 2 | style"font-size:11px;text-align:center"| 2002–03 United States network television schedule | 13 | December 1, 2002 | June 14, 2003 ! #111lt;/ref> ! 7.0 |}

DVD release

On March 24, 2009, CBS Home Entertainment (distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment released all 19 episodes of Andy Richter Controls the Universeon DVD in Region 1. http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Andy-Richter-Controls-Universe-The-Complete-Series/11155] 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment holds the international DVD rights, but has yet to make a release anywhere. | class"wikitable" !DVD Name !Ep # !Release Date !Additional Information |- | Andy Richter Controls the Universe: The Complete Series | align"center"|19 | March 24, 2009 | * Audio commentaries * How Andy Richter Controlled the Universefeaturette * What if Andy Richter Controlled the Universefeaturette |}

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.

International Broadcasters

| class"wikitable" ! Country || Channel || Broadcast dates || Timeslot |- ||| Nine Network || 2003-2004 || Tuesdays at 2.30am |- ||| Comedy Central Polska || 2009- || ? |} |

See also

* [[Quintuplets]]- Andy Richter s subsequent sitcom * [[Andy Barker, P. I.]]- Andy Richters third sitcom

References

External links

* Category:2002 American television series debuts Category:2003 American television series endings Category:2000s American television series Category:Fox network shows Category:American television sitcoms Category:Television series by CBS Paramount Television Category:Television series by Fox Television Studios Category:Television shows set in Chicago, Illinois fr:Le Monde merveilleux d'Andy Richter pl:Andy Richter - władca wszechświata