Gemma LaMana
Washington’s Newseum, in partnership with Paramount Pictures, is currently hosting ‘Anchorman: The Exhibit’, featuring props, costumes and footage from the 2004 hit comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, prior to the release of it highly-anticipated sequel Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues on December 20.
The original film, written by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, directed by McKay, and starring Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and David Koechner, takes a comic 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. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues reunites Ferrell and McKay with the original cast.
Included in Anchorman: The Exhibit are costumes worn by the Channel 4 Evening News team and a number of original props from the movie, including Ron Burgundy's jazz flute and the whip used by rival anchorman Arturo Mendez during the film's memorable fight scene between rival news teams. The exhibit also includes a re-creation of the KVWN-TV anchor desk and news set where visitors can pose for photo ops.
"For millions of viewers, the news anchor represents the authority and credibility of television news. But anchormen and women also are popular targets for pop culture laughs," said Cathy Trost, vice president of exhibits and programs at the Newseum.
"The exhibit explores the reality behind the humor of Anchorman and tracks the rise of personality-driven news formats in the 1970s."
Visitors to the exhibit also will have an opportunity to step in front of the camera and participate in an Anchorman-themed TV spot at one of the Newseum's ‘Be a TV Reporter’ stations. With lead anchor Ron Burgundy providing a snappy introduction, budding reporters can find out if they have what it takes to become a member of the Channel 4 News team.
"I'm literally trapped in a glass case of emotion," said Ron Burgundy, commenting on his inclusion in the museum's exhibit.
Anchorman: The Exhibit will be on display at the Newseum until August 31, 2014.