Will Ferrell has played many iconic comedy characters throughout his career, but there's one role that he considers his personal favorite. Ferrell's best movies are mostly comedy vehicles that allow him to do what he does best, like Elf, Talladega Nights and Step Brothers. This means he's created plenty of great characters.
Ferrell is known for taking big swings with his comedy, and they connect far more often than they don't. For example, Buddy's childish glee in Elf and Chazz's over-the-top macho posing in Blades of Glory could fall flat in the hands of another performer. Ferrell finds ways to make them hilarious, just as he does with his favorite comedy character of all.
Anchorman Is Will Ferrell's Favorite Role From His Career
Ron Burgundy Has Become A Comedy Icon
Speaking to the New York Times back in 2015, Will Ferrell revealed that Ron Burgundy was his personal favorite role that he has played. He also referred to his positive memories of working on Step Brothers and Elf, but Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy clearly holds a special place in his heart.
"To have Anchorman go from this movie that no one wanted to make for three years, to have it go on to achieve comedy cult status, that's the most satisfying thing." - Will Ferrell
Ferrell notes the troubled production of Anchorman, which was almost a completely different movie. The original script was a survival movie parody, with Ron Burgundy and other reporters taking a plane ride that crash-lands on a mountain. The characters would then be chased by orangutans with shurikens.
While it would have been interesting to see this version on the big-screen, it's hard to imagine it being funnier than the real Anchorman. Although there's room for some absurdity, Anchorman's more grounded stakes make the overblown characters pop.
Why Anchorman Still Resonates Over 2 Decades Later
Anchorman's Gender Satire Still Works
Anchorman takes place in the 1970s, back when local news reporters were minor celebrities. The retro setting gives Anchorman's celebrity satire a timeless quality. Although people like Ron Burgundy might not be popular anymore, Anchorman still applies to minor celebrities who become famous without any talent.
Anchorman's approach to gender is another element which has aged well. At its core, it's a story about a boys' club being disrupted by a woman who actually has talent, intelligence and a solid work ethic. This is something that still resonates with audiences decades later.
Anchorman is packed with hilarious moments, some of which come from its smart thematic exploration. However, there are also unforgettable quotes and unique character choices that would be funny in any context. Ferrell isn't the only star in the cast who can get plenty of laughs, since Paul Rudd and Steve Carell are also on fire.
All in all, it's no surprise that Anchorman is Ferrell's favorite role. The only disappointment is that the sequel didn't quite hit the heights of the original, but this is often the case with comedies, especially after a long gap between movies. Fortunately, the original Anchorman has a lot of rewatch value, and it's just as entertaining as ever.
Source: New York Times
