DVD Review: Andy Richter Controls The Universe

Andy Richter returns to television in the short-lived but hilarious sitcom Andy Richter Controls The Universe.

Andy Richter stars as, well, Andy Richter, a bored writer of instruction manuals who spends his office hours daydreaming about what his life could be. His fantasies also include his boss Jessica (the always reliable Paget Brewster), his best friends Keith (James Patrick Stuart) and Byron (Jonathan Slavin) and his crush Wendy (Irene Molloy).

This is just one of a long line of shows mishandled by the folks over at Fox who really don't seem to know how to handle anything that isn't a reality show. The Emmy nominated (Outstanding Writing) series lasted 14 episodes.

Luckily, the show is given new life with this Complete Series set, featuring not only the original 14 episodes that aired on Fox, but an additional five that were never shown on network TV.


Andy Richter is really a hilarious guy and a great actor who deserves a lot more respect than he really seems to get. Andy Richter Controls The Universe was a great platform and an often times hilarious show that never gained the viewership it deserved.

With this release, it can finally be seen by those who missed it the first time. I doubt we'll get any Family Guy like resurrection (especially now that Andy is reuniting with Conan on The Tonight Show) but at least we have it to revisit now and then.

Special Features on the set include commentary with Andy Richter and Victor Fresco on selected episodes, and the featurettes "How Andy Richter Controlled The Universe" and "What If Andy Richter Controlled The Universe". A little light on features. I would have liked to have seen some bloopers to be honest.

That said, the show does speak for itself. It's funny, charming, and Andy Richter is as usual his hysterical self. He is supported by a great cast and top notch writing. It was taken from us too soon but it's not too late to see it again or for the first time.

Andy Richter Controls The Universe is available on DVD now.