Pretty in Polyester
He Gives Good Hair and He Can Read the Teleprompter
By Esperanza Lesai

will Ferrell seems born for his role as Ron Burgundy, a local San Diego anchorman in the '70s, whose great hair, spiffy polyester suits and serious commitment to reading the teleprompter have won him a loyal viewership and much luck with the ladies. Ferrell’s eyes appear more dazed than ever as he delivers ridiculous lines while somehow maintaining a straight face and keeping Burgundy’s enormous ego intact—despite some humiliating pick-up attempts.

While dim-witted, Burgundy is the leader of his news team foursome, which includes a cowboy hat-clad sportscaster (David Koechner), a sleazy field reporter (Paul Rudd), and Steve Carell of “The Daily Show” playing a weatherman with an I.Q. of 48, whose dull straight-faced persona has everyone at the station almost convinced of his competence. Carell’s portrayal of weatherman Brick Tamland is by far the funniest part of the movie, with offbeat comments delivered in perfect comedic timing guaranteeing laughs at every appearance on screen.

The most substance you’ll find in this mindless but downright hilarious film is Veronica Corningstone’s (Christina Applegate) feminist struggle to become co-anchor in a 1970s newsroom where her talent and determination are often hindered by her irresistible “heinie.” The competition between Burgundy and Corningstone should have started sooner, as it is the “plot,” and it provides some good laughs. We’ll never view that silent exchange between anchorpersons at the end of the broadcast in quite the same way.

As for action, a fight scene among rival San Diego news teams provides for some exciting cameos and interesting weapon choices, all complimented by '70s hairstyles and funky polyester getups. Other harebrained scenarios include the heart-to-heart exchange between a shaggy dog and an angry bear at the zoo, and an a cappella performance of “Afternoon Delight” sung in four-part harmony by Burgundy and his news team chums. Overall, this is a likeable satire on the TV news business, with amusing characters, clever costumes and unusual jokes that we’ve come to expect from former Saturday Night Live members.