Anchorman

Gene Seymour

May 9, 2004

Will Ferrell stars as anchorman Ron Burgundy in DreamWorks Pictures' comedy "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy." (AP Photo/Frank Masi)

Where you've seen him: After a seven-year stint as "Saturday Night Live's" all-star utility man came to an end in 2002, Ferrell broke through big last year in "Old School" and "Elf."

Why we care: Can he sustain his hot streak? This comedy, co-written (with Ferrell) and directed by former "SNL" writer Adam McKay, will be an interesting test. Set in the "happy newscast" heyday of the 1970s, Ferrell plays Ron Burgundy, a blow-dried "news lug" for a San Diego TV station. Ron's huge ego and a tiny mind mask a total lack of insecurity until he meets Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), a hard-core newswoman who's out to prove that she's the better anchor. Ron, meanwhile, can't understand why she's immune to his animal magnetism.

You get the idea. "Elf" established Ferrell as a maestro of disingenuousness, and it sounds to us as if he's on safe ground here. The question, as always with such broad comedy fare, is whether the audience will put up with a character like Ron for longer than the average five-minute comedy sketch. Applegate, who's proven herself a funny comic foil on big and small screens, will be a key player here, as will a supporting crew that includes Paul Rudd, Vince Vaughan, Chad Everett (?!) and the incomparable, inimitable Fred Willard.