Anchorman 2 is, to quote, Ron Burgendy, "kind of a big deal" because fans have had to wait so long for a sequel to a comedy that has become part of our culture.
The old news team is, as the old saying goes, back by popular demand.
"So many people asked us to do it," said Ferrell. "It just had this cumulative effect that we thought, 'why not? Let's have some fun and make a sequel."
The original Anchorman was only a modest success at the box office back in 2004. But in the years since, he took on a life of his own.
"The one where I really it kind of made us go 'wow, this is crazy' is we got sent a photo of a jeep in Baghdad by the troops that had a stenciled face of Ron Burgundy that said 'Stay classy Baghdad!'", said Ferrell.
The first Anchorman took place in the 1970's, but the sequel is set in 1980, when cable news was born.
Ron's out of a job and working at Sea World when he gets the call to reunite the team: 'Champ', 'Fantana', and the guy who is thick as a 'Brick', so dumb he gives the eulogy at his own funeral.
"I think we all did it primarily for the fun of doing it," said Steve Carell, 'Brick'.
"Why do so many people relate to these characters?," I asked. "Because they're so complex," Carell said, laughing.
These guys and gals are so funny, the biggest challenge for me and for their fellow actors is to keep from cracking up.
"I ruined takes over and over and over again," said Christina Applegate.
"I would pinch my thigh, dig my finger into my leg to create pain," said James Marsden.
Marsden plays Ron's rival. Meagan Good? His boss and lover.
"Here we are addressing a certain kind of ignorance in a way that people can digest it. Almost make light of something that isn't light," said Good.
This is the funniest group of people I have ever met. How funny is the movie? Well, Steve Carrell told me people he's met just seem relieved it's not totally lame. But to hear my opinion you'll have to wait until Wednesday when the movie opens everywhere.
