Richter has decided that after seven seasons, he wants to strike out on his own to pursue an acting career.

On Friday night, May 26, he appeared in his farewell show--complete with a huge musical number and fans chanting "An-dy!"

For the moment, "Late Night" has no plans to replace Richter.

That's no matter to O'Brien. Reiss says the O'Brien's show may even be better without a sidekick--and if he needs someone to chat with, he can always talk up the band.

Richter's triumphant exit probably indicates that O'Brien is as on top of the world as a 12:35 a.m. comic can possibly be.

And it couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy, say his friends and co-workers. He has never let being the president of the world's oldest humor magazine, having a Harvard degree or starring in his own television show go to his head.

"It's nice to see nice things happen to nice people," Appel says.