Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

January 6, 2023 8:23 AM

Hotshot television anchorman Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) welcomes upstart reporter Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) into the male-dominated world of 1970s broadcast news -- that is, until the talented female journalist begins to outshine Burgundy on air. Soon he grows jealous, begins a bitter feud with Veronica and eventually makes a vulgar slip on live TV that ruins his career. However, when an outrageous story breaks at the San Diego Zoo, Ron may get a chance to redeem himself.

Also starring Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Fred Willard, Chris Parnell, Kathryn Hahn, Fred Armisen, Seth Rogen, Paul F. Tompkins, Danny Trejo, Laura Kightlinger, Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, Missi Pyle, Tim Robbins, Vince Vaughn, and Jerry Stiller.

Directed by Adam McKay. Written by McKay and Will Ferrell.

66% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently streaming in the US on Paramount Plus. Also available for digital rental. JustWatch listing.

Today is Christina Applegate Appreciation Day, because she's terrific and MS sucks. This is one of her most famous roles, and it's a good one for her as instead of playing the put-upon girlfriend, she gets to play a goofy 70's sendup of that kind of role.

posted by DirtyOldTown (8 comments total)

before memes we just sat around quoting this movie. not sure if it's aged well or not? has anyone seen it recently?
posted by LegallyBread at 8:57 AM on January 6, 2023 [3 favorites]

Highly offensive to San Diegans. That's the stupid LA Zoo.
posted by LionIndex at 9:27 AM on January 6, 2023 [3 favorites]

I saw it last year - not too bad on the aging front as far comedies go, but easily my most used meme quote - "60% of the time, it works every time."
posted by drewbage1847 at 1:21 PM on January 6, 2023 [3 favorites]

My husband and I still quote it to each other, which has probably aged badly but oh well.
posted by PussKillian at 1:43 PM on January 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

I will always love this movie for the news rumble.
posted by miss-lapin at 7:04 PM on January 6, 2023 [6 favorites]

As well as the well-known sequel, there was also a DVD-only second film, Wake Up Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie, assembled mostly from the bits of the first movie that were filmed and then cut after test audiences hated them, which is a lot. Large chunks are not very good, but I assure you the Christina Applegate parts of it are excellent.
posted by Hogshead at 2:30 PM on January 7, 2023 [4 favorites]

I love scotch!
posted by WaterAndPixels at 7:34 PM on January 9, 2023

"Who is this? Baxter, is that you? Baxter! Bark twice if you're in Milwaukee. Is this Wilt Chamberlain? Have the courage to say something!"

I used that as the outgoing message on my answering machine for a while.
posted by rhizome at 9:01 PM on January 9, 2023 [1 favorite]