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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The DVD universe is now a far brighter and happier place with the long-awaited release of this absurdly funny workplace comedy. Andy Richter Controls the Universe was sadly short-lived, but it has amassed a cult following arguably as devoted as the Arrested Development crowd. Andy Richter stars as Andy, a Walter Mitty-esque writer who lives the surreal life as a writer of technical manuals for a Chicago conglomerate. Andy is prone to fantasies, daydreams, flashbacks and inspired non-sequitor bits of nonsense, such as wearing a coat stuffed with puppies in a bid for audience acceptance, putting "King of the Penguins" on his list of career goals, or conjuring up the "Broadway version" of a boring office conversation. The lightning in a bottle ensemble puts a fresh spin on stock office characters. Paget Brewster manages to be wonderfully funny while not sacrificing authority as Jessica, Andy's tightly-wound, career-oriented boss ("Coffee should be drinking me"). John Patrick Stewart is Keith, whose Jude Law-like handsomeness affords him all of life's little perks (in one of Andy's reveries, Keith is presented with an envelope full of money from admiring co-workers). Jonathan Slavin is Byron, a socially awkward illustrator who shares Andy's office. Irene Molloy is Wendy, the sweet and lovely new receptionist, whom Andy adores, but who is dating Keith. They are exceedingly likable company. Andy Richter Controls the Universe deftly skewers corporate culture, as in the episode, "We're All the Same, Only Different," in which Andy must take sensitivity training after making remarks about the Irish that offend a black Irish-American co-worker. But the show really takes flight with its sillier plots, as when cash-strapped Wendy participates in a drug-testing program that lowers her voice to intimidating Demi Moore levels, or when Andy is blackmailed by Jessica's bratty nephew over a Marilu Henner sex tape. "Crazy in Rio" boasts an hilarious guest turn by Conan O'Brien as a deranged executive given to gloves made of cotton candy and duct-tape weddings. A boon for this series' devoted fans are four very funny unaired episodes as well as a retrospective featuring new interviews with all of the core cast members. Andy Richter Controls the Universe is thrillingly off-center. The original series title was "Anything Can Happen," and in this series, it's true. There is perhaps no better series epitaph than words spoken by Jessica in the Conan episode: "I feel truly privileged to have witnessed whatever that was." --Donald Liebenson
Product Description
Andy Richter Controls the Universe was touted as “the funniest new sitcom of the spring” (2002) by TIME magazine and declared by US Magazine to have “scaled new heights.” Set in Chicago, the half hour comedy chronicles the day to day happenings of Andy Richter, an aspiring short story writer working for a large corporation writing “how to” manuals. Andy is constantly thinking about possibilities and how every moment in life could just as easily go another way.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
I also never thought this would see the light of day, after it was timeslot-mangled and unceremoniously canceled by FOX. When I tell people it's in my list of top 10 sitcoms of all time they look at me like I just landed in a spaceship, but it's true (not the spaceship part, the top 10 part.) Fantastic cast, great writing, great use of gimmicky concept. I can't wait to get my hands on this.
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
It's hard to describe Andy Richter Controls the Universe. It seems as if several shows that have sprung up on television in recent years have "borrowed" mightily from Universe. Scrubs, Arrested Development, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, 30 Rock...I think all these shows owe a debt to Universe.
Andy Richter is the most average fellow on the outside, but what goes on in his head is so bizarre and hilarious that words cannot do justice to this gem of a show. Fox did its usual job of switching the show to several different nights, never allowing an audience to develop. For the few of us that did watch the show, it was a delight and a treat.
Andy Richter is the most average fellow on the outside, but what goes on in his head is so bizarre and hilarious that words cannot do justice to this gem of a show. Fox did its usual job of switching the show to several different nights, never allowing an audience to develop. For the few of us that did watch the show, it was a delight and a treat.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I never thought this would be released on DVD but thank goodness it will be. The first episode of this series is the best first show I've ever seen,it just blew my mind and even though it would seem hard to follow up,they did a great job with the rest of this wonderful short lived series. I can't wait to own this! Another example of one that the masses just missed and it's their loss.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best
Loved this show when it was on. brings back great memories. Hilarious! wish this was still on the air. Loved the SMASHING DIAMONDS with a hammer bit.
Published 3 months ago by Roderic C. Quinn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hi are you? I mean, fine!
Oh, buying this gem was long overdue. I can't believe I didn't buy it right when I saw the package on here, but I guess waiting for the magnificent comedy saved me $7 after the... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Cordial Savage
4.0 out of 5 stars
Much, much better and smarter than 95% of sit-coms
Cute, clever, occasionally quite funny office set sit-com, where Andy Richter plays a Walter Mitty figure,
who often spices up the life he shows us with brief fantasies. Read more
who often spices up the life he shows us with brief fantasies. Read more
Published 24 months ago by K. Gordon
5.0 out of 5 stars
this speaks for itself
bought this at my son's request. Basically, if you are a fan of hip humor, over-the-top writing, & just plain funny stuff, this is a great item
Published on March 3, 2011 by Stuart W Russell Jr
5.0 out of 5 stars
Starts kind of slow, but.......
As my title says, I thought this series started out a little slow, but after a couple of episodes, I was hooked. Read more
Published on August 1, 2010 by groomRN
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best shows ever-Get the DVD set!!
I was a big fan of this show when it was on and still am now. There are some extras in the DVD set including never before seen episodes, and individual commentaries that take you... Read more
Published on April 7, 2010 by R. Wesley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gone too soon
The show, like this review, had a short lifespan. Andy and his supporting cast were all terrific and the writing was hilarious. Read more
Published on February 15, 2010 by Edward Swan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Andy Richter and this show are great!
It's very sad that this show got the short end of the Fox stick. It's very funny and very nice because it's lighthearted. It's very silly. Andy Richter at his best!
Published on December 18, 2009 by Alison Fujii
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my favorite shows
I've been waiting a long time for this to come out on DVD (so much so that I didn't realize that it had come out until the date of this review). Read more
Published on October 2, 2009 by Andy K
5.0 out of 5 stars
Richter Rules Big Time
If you want people to like you, wear a puppy suit: meaning either a costume which makes you look like a puppy or one which contains many pockets in which you can put your... Read more
Published on August 21, 2009 by Steve Reina
