Andy Richter made his Dancing with the Stars debut last night, and while the scores weren’t in his favor, the judges made it clear he’s already one of the most entertaining contestants in the competition. But will being in their good graces be enough to keep the former Conan O'Brien sidekick's dancing dreams alive?
For Dancing with the Stars season 34, Richter is paired with pro dancer Emma Slater. The pairing excited the comedian, despite his initial concerns over whether or not his legs would hold up through the performance. Still, Richter wasn’t about to take himself too seriously. “I’m not afraid to look like an idiot on TV,” he joked before the show, echoing what made him a late-night TV star. “I don’t think I’ll be the best dancer here, but I’ll sell it. I’ll be peacocking anyways.”
Richter also leaned into self-deprecating humor when asked why he joined the show. “For the paycheck,” he quipped. But in a moment of honesty, the actor said, “I knew this would be good for me.” That combination of wit and honesty was classic Richter, reminding fans why he’s been a beloved comedy figure for decades.
That attitude carried into his first routine, a Cha Cha set to Sam and Dave’s classic “Hold On, I’m Coming.” The performance wasn’t the cleanest of the night, but Richter’s commitment and humor kept both the judges and audience engaged.
Bruno Tonioli couldn’t hide his delight. “I loved you!” he said, describing Richter as “cheeky and chappy.” Bruno did note that the timing was off but shrugged it off as “first baby steps" that can only improve as the competition goes on.
Next, judge Derek Hough echoed the enthusiasm. “Everyone in this room was rooting for you,” he told Richter. He highlighted the comedian’s “humor,” “joy,” and “authenticity,” For a contestant who admitted he was out of his comfort zone, Richter seemed to have won over the panel with his personality as much as his dancing, with Hough admitting he "loved watching [Richter] dance."
Unfortunately, the scores didn’t quite match the judges’ kind words. Richter earned a 9 out of 20, tying with fellow contestant Corey Feldman for the lowest score of the night. That puts him in danger of an early elimination if he can't survive the next episode on September 23. Still, the judges made it clear that they see potential in Richter. The late-night legend's willingness to embrace the absurd might make him a sleeper favorite if he can stick around long enough to improve.
For Dancing with the Stars, Richter is the kind of contestant who keeps things fun. He may not be the technical standout, but his humor, warmth, and playfulness make him instantly relatable. If the judges’ reactions are any indication, Richter could be the season’s most unlikely crowd-pleaser ... assuming fans keep voting to keep him on the dance floor.