The 70's was a more innocent time in terms of local television news. It was the era before cable and relentless 24-hour news programming. More importantly, it was an era when people were more trusting of news and news personalities and less cynical and skeptical. 

Ron Burgundy is the top anchorman in San Diego. He's conceited, self-centered, chauvinistic and as dim as a blown out light bulb. But he's great on camera and he reads a mean teleprompter! Life is good for Ron and his news team: weatherman Brick Tamland (Steve Carrell), sports anchor Champ Kind (David Koechner) and Geraldo-esque reporter Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd). But this is the era of Women's Lib and the boys club gets shaken up when Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) is added to the mix. When Veronica gets promoted to co-anchor along side Burgundy the battle of the sexes really heats up. It gets even hotter when the two get involved romantically.

Anchorman looks like one of the movies where all of the good stuff is in the commercials. Burgundy's love for scotch and the anchorman 'rumble' scene are funny moments (the rumble is actually a lot funnier in the movie than the commercial suggests). But there are many more in store. Anchorman has plenty of laughs but it also does a decent job of lampooning the TV news industry. I can't say I have liked all of Ferrell's work, but he's at his funniest here. Steve Carrell (of the Daily Show) takes dumbness to new lows and manages to walk away with every scene he's in.

It is a comedy, so the lack of chemistry between Ferrell and Applegate, actually plays well with their relationship. Anchorman parodies the 70's in all of its gaudy excesses and the soundtrack is filled with campy 70's classics that make it even funnier. Now if I could only get Afternoon Delight out of my head.