Design Unveiled, New Props Announced for ‘Anchorman: The Exhibit’ at the Newseum
WASHINGTON — The Newseum has revealed the design of “Anchorman: The Exhibit,” which features props, costumes and footage from the 2004 hit comedy “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.” The exhibit, created in partnership with Paramount Pictures, will open on Nov. 14, just weeks before the film’s highly anticipated sequel “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” hits theaters on Dec. 20.
Entering the exhibit, visitors will be greeted by a giant display case featuring the iconic burgundy business suit worn by fictional newscaster Ron Burgundy, played by Will Ferrell. Towering more than eight feet tall, the revolving display will provide a fitting entry point for this one-of-a-kind exhibit. Throughout the exhibit, visitors will see other reminders of Ron’s reporting prowess and personal style, including his license plate, which reads “IM #1,” three local Emmy awards for excellence in news reporting, his mustache brush, jazz flute and other classic props used in the hit movie. Props from “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” will be added to the exhibit shortly before the sequel’s Dec. 20 release.
The exhibit also will feature costumes worn by members of the Channel 4 News team, along with field reporter Brian Fantana’s (played by Paul Rudd) Sex Panther cologne, a stuffed prop version of Ron’s dog Baxter in Channel 4 pajamas, weatherman Brick Tamland’s (played by Steve Carell) eyeglasses and more.
Photo: Courtesy Paramount Pictures; License plate: Sarah Mercier/Newseum/Courtesy DreamWorks Studios
Nearby, Ron will provide intros to the Newseum’s popular Be a TV Reporter experience, and budding news anchors can have their photos taken behind a replica of the Channel 4 News desk.
The exhibit also will explore the reality behind the film’s humor. Local TV news promotional ads from the 1970s will be on display along with photos of popular news teams of the day. Before today’s 24/7 news cycle, local TV anchors ruled the airwaves, and the anchor chair was for men only. But dramatic changes hit local TV news in the 1970s when women stepped up to the anchor desk, and news teams took over.
The original film, written by Will Ferrell & Adam McKay, directed by Adam McKay, and starring Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner, takes a comedic look at a 1970s-era television newsroom and the legendary local anchorman who ruled it until a female reporter arrived to challenge the all-male news team.
“The whole era marked the clash of male chauvinism and feminism,” Ferrell says. “It was a time when both issues came to a head, which really served our story. The point was just to have fun while getting to comment on a few things.”
Adds McKay, “Let’s just say it was a time of pre-social consciousness.”
“Anchorman: The Exhibit” will be on display at the Newseum through Aug. 31, 2014.
About the Newseum
The mission of the Newseum is to champion the five freedoms of the First Amendment through education, information and entertainment. One of the top attractions in Washington, D.C., the Newseum’s 250,000-square-foot news museum offers visitors a state-of-the-art experience that blends news history with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits, and its Newseum Institute serves as a forum for the study, exploration and education of the First Amendment. The Newseum is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations, including the Freedom Forum. For more information, visit newseum.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues”
With the ’70s behind him, San Diego’s top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), returns to the news desk in “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.” Also back for more are Ron’s co-anchor and wife, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), weatherman Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), man on the street Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) and sports guy Champ Kind (David Koechner) — all of whom won’t make it easy to stay classy … while taking New York’s first 24-hour news channel by storm. Produced by Judd Apatow, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Based on characters created by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Written by Will Ferrell & Adam McKay. Directed by Adam McKay
Press release and promotional materials provided by Paramount Pictures and The Levenson Group.
All above photos: Courtesy Paramount Pictures; Baxter: Brendan O’Hara/Newseum/Courtesy DreamWorks Studios; License plate: Sarah Mercier/Newseum/Courtesy DreamWorks Studios; Flute: Sarah Mercier/Newseum/Courtesy DreamWorks Studios