Under their joint banner, Gary Sanchez Productions, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay co-produced some of the greatest comedies of the 21st-century for a time. Before the company launched with THE FOOT FIST WAY in 2006, Ferrell and McKay had already created one of the most quotable movies ever made; ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY.
Obviously, this partnership proved fruitful once they started producing movies together, cultivating such modern comedy gems as THE OTHER GUYS, the Oscar-nominated VICE, Danny McBride’s cult classic TV show EASTBOUND & DOWN, and even the video website, Funny or Die. In 2008, they released STEP BROTHERS, another instantly iconic comedy that’s gone down in history with the same reverence as Anchorman four years prior.
Sadly, the vibrant working relationship soured in 2019 when Ferrell and McKay parted ways. McKay ended up offering frequent collaborator John C. Reilly the starring role in his new show WINNING TIME: THE RISE OF THE LAKERS DYNASTY, and Ferrell had to hear it from Reilly rather than McKay. The two haven’t talked ever since. It’s a shame, as Winning Time is a fantastic show that perhaps would never have come about without the groundwork McKay and Ferrell laid together, leading to the scenario where McKay was able to get this kind of show made.
With Winning Time currently scoring well with critics and audiences alike, it’s a fine time to be looking back on Adam McKay’s oeuvre, and this series being what it is, we’re matching up McKay and Ferrell’s finest team-ups — Anchorman against Step Brothers — to see which modern classic comedy comes out on top. You know what it’s time for… FACE OFF!
This episode of Face Off is written by Daniel Woburn, narrated by Travis Hopson, and edited by Ric Solomon. Let us know in the comments which film you prefer – Anchorman or Step Brothers! Watch previous Face Off episodes below!