'Andy Richter' is a prime-time dream

'Andy Richter Controls the Universe' Airs: 7:30 tonight on Fox (Channel 4), replacing "Undeclared" until at least May Stars: Andy Richter, Paget Brewster, James Patrick Stuart, Jonathan Slavin, Irene Molloy

Who should watch: Those who stayed up late to watch Andy - and everyone else who didn't. Conan O'Brien's former sidekick has cooked up a prime-time show as daffy and entertaining as any of his old late-night gags. As a daydreaming office drone named Andy, his life jumps from one wildly absurd fantasy to the next. Dream sequences are a familiar motif from shows like "Ally McBeal" and "Scrubs," but Richter takes them to a whole new and even funnier level.

One part sketch comedy, one part workplace sitcom, the show plays to Richter's comic gifts as an improvisational performer and lovable straight man. He's aided by a talented and instantly likable ensemble, especially Brewster, who bounced around her share of lesser comedies before landing this dream role (so to speak) as Andy's boss. In the third episode, which she steals, Brewster binges on all-night parties before paying the price in an instantly classic, pitch-perfect scene.

Critics once said Richter wasn't fit for late night; now he's a prime-time player.

UPDATE 3/24/2009: Finally! "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" is on DVD