Andy Richter spent most of the 1990's clowning around on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien".
"Sidekick was never an official title. The IRS won't let you put that on a tax form," Richter said last week.
In 2000, he decided to leave the "late night" nest.
"Quite frankly, I wanted to see how far I could push my luck and do some stuff on my own," he said.
Richter's departure led to top billing in a couple of sitcoms.
"Andy Barker PI" and "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" won over plenty of critics but not enough viewers.
"I feel like, yeah, I can have my own show. It won't last long, but I can have one!" Richter joked.
Other guest starring roles, on shows like NBC's "Chuck", and voice work in films such as "Madagascar" followed.
But when the chance to reunite with his buddy Conan, as "Tonight Show" announcer came along, Richter couldn't resist.
He says his long running friendship with O'Brien had actually been strengthened by leaving "Late Night".
"When I go to work and I talk to Conan," Richter said, "it's not about the show, it's about our kids, or something we saw on television or just nonsense."
It's their nonsense on camera that means late night laughs.
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