Corporate Press Release Theater: Andy Richter, M.C.

When Andy Richter showed up for Conan O'Brien's swan song last week, it got the Tuned In household a little misty—not so much for O'Brien, who'll be back, but for seeing Richter on TV again. (His late lamented Andy Richter Controls the Universe comes out on DVD next month.) 

Well, it looks like someone was reading our minds, because while it may not be the sitcom leading role we had in mind, Richter will be reuinited with O'Brien on The Tonight Show—as his announcer, and sometime comic foil. Excerpts from the announcement after the jump:

Conan O'Brien will have a familiar face when he begins his new "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" on NBC where he will reunite with Andy Richter ("Late Night with Conan O'Brien") -- for the first time on a daily basis in almost nine years -- as the network announced that Richter will return to its late-night lineup as the announcer for the new show that begins June 1.  In addition to his announcing duties, Richter will participate in comedic pieces.

Few performers enjoy the chemistry that Richter and O'Brien developed over their seven years together on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."  Richter will join O'Brien for the first time on a daily basis since May 26, 2000.   

"Andy is one of the funniest people I know and we've maintained a close friendship since he left "Late Night," said O'Brien. "We have a proven chemistry that will be an incredible asset to "The Tonight Show."  I'm looking forward to working with Andy on a daily basis again, particularly since he owes me $300."

The NBC release goes on to list Richter's comic credits, including Universe and Andy Barker, P.I. Which NBC canceled, way too early. Don't think we forgot. 

In related news, today I received a screener of Nickelodeon's upcoming animated series, The Penguins of Madagascar, premiering March 28, in which Richter reprises his voiceover role from the Dreamworks movie as cuddly mouse lemur Mort. Because it never hurts to have backup work.