This was a fun little diversion. I enjoyed reading the behind-the-scenes minutiae of creating one of the greatest comedies of all time, especially the roundabout way that our hero's dog Baxter was saved from a grim fate by focus groups who did not appreciate how his original storyline ended.

I sensed the author was perhaps struggling a bit to fluff up the page count by synopsizing the films made by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, and other associates. But at least he provides a contextual throughline to explain their work before and after Anchorman.

It's difficult for me to offer much more of a review for this very straightforward book. If you find Will Ferrell funny, you will absolutely laugh out loud.

I do love a good movie history.

I am a big fan of Austerlitz's Generation Friends so I absolutely had to read Kind of a Big Deal--despite not being the biggest Anchorman fan (my most prominent memory of it is suffering through all my male classmates in high school quoting it incessantly. Ahh, the early- to mid-2000s.)

This particular telling of Anchorman and its massive influence on pop culture is very much seen through the lens of recognizing that it--along with many comedy movies of this time period--is centered around middle-aged, middle-class white men and their propensity for inappropriate behavior. While that can be problematic in and of itself, especially for the time we're in now, it's still important to have these stories available so men can, let's be frank, work out their own shit. Comedy is a wonderful vehicle to poke fun at who we are; at the same time, it invites serious reflection. The fact that this book ends with diving into the #metoo movement is not surprising.

To make a few lighter notes, it's always a joy to read about the comedy process, how improv works, and knowing that people who make movies can have such a fun time. And I am beyond tickled that Craig Wedren helped arrange Afternoon Delight. Is there anything he can't do?

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
I do enjoy SNL and Will Ferrell as a casual fan.
While I liked reading this book, it didn't keep my attention as much as I hoped it would. That being said, perhaps the audience is for a more diehard Ferrell fan.
Not a great book, in my opinion, but also definitely a good book.