When Conan O'Brien takes the stage to host the 98th Academy Awards, he won’t be the only familiar face from Team Coco involved in the show. Longtime sidekick and comedy partner Andy Ricther will have a special role during the ceremony.
Richter will be stationed backstage hosting a special TikTok Live stream for ABC, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood’s biggest night while the televised ceremony. The comedian revealed the news on Instagram with a classic bit of banter with O'Brien that included the duo's signature self-deprecating humor.
“I’ll just be running around, bothering people with no idea why I’m there or what I’m supposed to do,” Richter joked. “Well,” O'Brien replied, “why should that night be any different?”
For fans of the duo, the reunion is a welcome one. Richter spent years as O’Brien’s on-air partner, first on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and later on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien before continuing the partnership on the TBS series Conan. While no longer sharing the screen together, Richter remains an active part of Team Coco's podcast empire, and it's fitting that he play a part in O'Brien's second turn as Oscars host.
The gig also reunites Richter with ABC. The Conan sidekick became a fan-favorite on the most recent season of Dancing with the Stars. And while Richter didn't always earn the highest scores or win the competition, he did manage to charm the judges and add some levity to the contest.
What to expect from Andy Richter at the Academy Awards
Hosting a TikTok Live from backstage feels tailor-made for Richter’s loose, improvisational style. Rather than sticking to a script, he’ll likely roam the backstage areas of the Oscars, grabbing quick conversations with nominees, presenters, and any celebrity willing to stop for a moment.
The unpredictability of the format should make for a fun alternative to the main broadcast. While viewers at home watch the ceremony on television, the TikTok stream offers a different experience. Richter should deliver something to check in on during commercial breaks or whenever the comedian manages to rope a famous face into a quick interview or bit.
The idea of bringing a host’s sidekick into the Oscars isn’t new. When Jimmy Kimmel hosted the ceremony during his four turns as emcee, he often recruite his own on-air partner, Guillermo Rodriguez.
Guillermo became a recurring presence during those shows, popping up in segments with celebrities and providing his unique brand of red carpet interviews. However, don't expect Andy Richter to be doing tequila shots with the night's winners.
But for late-night TV fans who grew up watching O’Brien and Richter trade jokes night after night, the reunion adds an extra layer of fun to this year’s 98th Academy Awards.