Andy Richter, Conan O’Brien’s writers taping TBS special as part of Chicago comedy fest

Richter, O’Brien’s writers to tape TBS special

LOS ANGELES — Andy Richter and Conan O’Brien’s writers will take the spotlight in a TBS special to be taped during a Chicago comedy festival next month.

The one-hour special, with the working title “Team Coco presents Conan’s Writers Live,” is scheduled to air 10 p.m. EDT June 27. The show will be taped June 17 during the second annual Just for Laughs festival presented by TBS. The festival runs from June 15-19.

Tickets for the “Team Coco” show, which will also feature music by comedian Reggie Watts, go on sale Friday.

Richter, who was O’Brien’s sidekick on “The Tonight Show” and will play the same role on O’Brien’s upcoming TBS talk show, will host the special. Richter also is on a nationwide comedy tour with O’Brien.

The show keeps O’Brien and his new TBS show in the public eye while giving the redhead nicknamed “Coco” a break.

“It was a good way to do a special that was about the show and not so specifically focused on Conan,” Richter said. “After this tour is over, he’s going to be a little spent. And the writers are chomping at the bit to get a little taste of performing again.”

The writing staff, Richter said, will create the personality of O’Brien’s new talk show, so the special will give the audience a “taste” of what the TBS show will be.

TBS also is taping specials at the Chicago festival with Ellen DeGeneres and Cedric The Entertainer. Others taking part in the five-day event include Denis Leary, Tim Meadows and Rob Corrdry.

Expected to debut in November, O’Brien’s as-yet-untitled TBS talk show will return him to the air after an absence that began in January with his unpleasant exit from NBC, his employer for 17 years.

O’Brien’s new program will air Mondays through Thursdays at 11 p.m. Eastern, which will shift “Lopez Tonight,” starring George Lopez, to midnight.

Online:

www.justforlaughschicago.com.