It’s no secret that Will Ferrell, David Koechner, Paul Rudd, and Steve Carell all posses the necessary comedic powers to make an audience wet themselves from laughter any given time and day. In "Anchorman" 1 and 2, they demonstrate those abilities through the form of a group of incompetent, backwards thinking, and yet, entertaining people, better known as the Channel 4 News Team. While at first look (and maybe even at more looks), these movies come off as solely a comedic, farcical way of looking at the news in the '70s and '80s, the way the cast and directors portray the evolution of the news into the more entertainment-based programs we see today, is something worth taking a look at. After all, if we find their interpretation of news today so amusing and laughable, why don’t we seem to have the same reaction when we actually watch the news?
Yes, it is safe to say we will most likely never see someone like the aforementioned names on television as an actual anchorman, and the humor certainly exaggerates how news today truly is. But when you really think about it, when was the last time you viewed the news without someone mentioning a reality TV star, viewing a car chase, or finding 10 tips to stay fit during the winter? What ever happened to the traditional traffic, weather, sports, and maybe a light-hearted story for something positive to leave the audience with? Has the news revolved and accommodated to the changes in society? Or did society force this change on these stations with the constant demand for something new and exciting on a daily basis?
In "Anchorman 2", there is a scene where Ron Burgandy (Ferrell) asks for “more graphics” in his newscasts. Well, sure enough, it resembles most of what we see today on any news channel, regardless for what specific topics. Take a look:
This seems like a combination of ESPN, CNBC, MSNBC, and TBN all in one screen, and frankly, it gives me a little anxiety. Later in the movie is one of the classic news team's fights, in which the GNN station Burgandy and his colleagues work for, take arms against a sea of various “new” television programs such as ESPN, BBC, The History Channel, MTV, ET, and of course, the incredibly polite Canadian News Team, as well as more. The link for that scene is right here (you’re welcome):
Despite what news has become, and what it may even further develop into as life goes on, it is apparent that we cannot reverse time and go back to the days of Walter Kronkite, Edward R. Murrow, Sam Donaldson, and more. As most of my articles wrap up, society and these aspects of it are changing, whether they are for the better or not isn’t up to me. It isn’t up to anyone even reading this. Sometimes, its just the way the cookie crumbles.
