With all new remakes coming out in theaters and making money [false] reviews praise or disparage, there is still one that I am happy to report as standing strong and avoiding rework [fail]: Talladega Nights: Ballad by Ricky Bobby. We, Jalopnik, celebrate the film’s sweet 16th birthday with a bit of tribute (and I went through a small existential crisis for the rest of the day). In the weeks that followed, I came across a few gems related to the comedy or coinciding with it, including the one we’re talking about today.
In press releases and advertisements and obligations to Talladega nightWill Ferrell and John C. Reilly, invited as celebrity guests Larry King Live on CNN. But the actors are not there as they are. No, they come out as Ricky Bobby and his best friend, Cal Naughton, Jr., which is a weird setup, and it gets better from there.
King went on to ask Bobby (Farrell) about the challenge he posed to drivers in Talladega Nights, and went on to play an answer from Dale Earnhardt Jr., taken at the film’s premiere, where he called Bobby was the “fruitcake” and everyone saw his mental breakdown coming. Earnhardt Jr. phoned to the show afterwards to grill Bobby. King also received calls from KingRichard Petty.
I can’t tell if it’s completely scripted, but it sounds like a great 45 minutes of improvisation from the comedy duo, asking about what they’re going to do in politics and a joke. between Iraq and the IROC, all wrapped up around a scene teaser for actual advertising. Great.
While I never want to see this movie remake, I do want to see an older Bobby and Naughton Jr get back on the track, or enter the retirement race in IMSA or something.
