What about Andy Richter?

There’s been a lot in the news this week about the whole NBC/Conan/Leno debacle. It’s all over Facebook and Twitter as well. People have created hashtags like #teamconan and #teamchin. People are re-blogging an Obama-esque image that says, “I’m with Coco.” Everyone is concerned about Conan.

But I ask you this…What about Andy Richter?

Andy decides it’s time to start drinking. (This photo was stolen from NBC because…screw them, right?)

Right now Andy Richter is kind of a like a guy sitting in the sidecar of a motorcycle that just got pulled over. He and his buddy were having a great ride. The wind blowing through their hair, not a care in the world. And then suddenly they get pulled over for no good reason at all. You see, the cop is crazy. The cop has no idea what he’s doing. And now he’s pulling Conan off the motorcycle and making him turn over his keys. Andy is just sitting there in his sidecar thinking, “How am I going to get home now?”

Let’s look at it another way. Andy is kind of like Robin, Batman’s sidekick. Only in this version of Batman the Wayne Corporation decides all of Batman’s business. The board members of the Wayne Corporation have decided Bruce Wayne is no longer fit to serve as Batman and they’re kicking both him and Robin out of Wayne Manor. Robin can’t even keep his cool suit (not the one Chris O’Donnell wore).

In my opinion, Andy Richter has maybe one of the greatest jobs in comedy. Sure, host of the Tonight Show is the maybe the most prestigious role in all of comedy. But to be the sidekick on the Tonight Show is really a sweet gig. He gets to hang out on the side and take pot shots all night long. There’s almost no pressure at all. Yet, no one can deny that he is a major contributor. He saves Conan when a joke doesn’t work. He enhances the jokes that do work. He’s always there when you need him.

And now he won’t be there. And we need him. Like most people, I’m rooting for Conan to find a new home for his show. Unlike most of those people, I’m rooting for Conan because really, deep down, I’m rooting for Andy.