"Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," has to be one of the most quotable comedies of the modern era, right up there with "The Big Lebowski." Its many famous lines include Burgundy's "scotchy scotch scotch," his signoff of "Stay classy, San Diego," his declaration that "milk was a bad choice," and his modest acknowledgment that he's "kind of a big deal."
"Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" opens Wednesday, and the scotchy scotch scotch doesn't fall far from the bottle. The sequel is very similar to the 2004 original film, with Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner and others returning to their roles. There's that same entertaining mix of slapstick, improv, journalistic satire, 1970s soft pop music, big-star cameos, and Ferrell just being Ferrell.
In the film, Ferrell's Ron Burgundy splits from wife Veronica Corningstone when she lands a big job opportunity. But Burgundy signs on with the brand-new 24-hour news station GNN, puts his old team back together, and manages to invent a new form of journalism in the process. (Hint: Ever wonder who decided to start televising random local car chases?)
The most memorable line in the new film might actually belong to Koechner's sportscaster-turned-restaurant-owner Champ Kind. Let's just say his chicken restaurant can't afford real poultry, but he's found a replacement that vampires may or may not approve of. It's OK, though — everyone knows bats are the "chicken of the cave."
While the film didn't offer a line that felt quite as meme-worthy as "stay classy, San Diego," here's a look at a few of Burgundy's sayings from "Anchorman 2" that are kind of a big deal. (Warning: Spoilers for the new film follow.)
Ron on Ron:
"I'm so lonely, I paid a hobo to spoon with me."
"I'm going the way of the ancient samurai, who when dishonored, would hang themselves from a fluorescent light."
"Is that your foot between my legs? Oh, it was my hand."
Ron on journalism:
"Well, now we know, guys. You can't smoke crack on live television."
"Give me a break! They can't have news. Nothing happens in Canada!"
"I'm gonna do what God put Ron Burgundy on this earth to do. Read the news, and have salon-quality hair."
Ron's new sign-off:
"Don't just have a great night. Have an American night."
Ron on history:
"Who the hell is Julius Caesar? You know I don't follow the NBA!"
Ron's exclamations:
"By the hymen of Olivia Newton-John!"
"By the bedpan of Gene Rayburn!"
"Tony Danza's scrotum!"
Ron on life:
"Hey guys, know what would make this great day even better? Perms for everyone!"
Ron on travel:
"I've only been out of the country twice. I went to Mexico a handful of times, and the second time, I went to Salem, Oregon."