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Description of Pictures: Anchorman: The Exhibit
Nov. 14, 2013 through Aug. 31, 2014
The Newseum, in partnership with Paramount Pictures, presented “Anchorman: The Exhibit,” featuring props, costumes and footage from the 2004 hit comedy “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.”
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NEWSAM_131116_007.JPG: The Story Behind 'Anchorman':
Behind the Story:
Telling the story of the TV newsroom battle of the sexes "from the side of the guys" was the idea that inspired actor Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay to write the screenplay for "Anchorman."
It all started with a documentary Ferrell saw about pioneering anchorwoman Jessica Savitch. What intrigued him was a confession by Mort Crim, her co-anchor at KYW-TV in Philadelphia in the 1970s. "I was a typical, traditional 1972 male chauvinist anchor," Crim said. "I liked women, but I wasn't sure that their place was necessarily sitting beside me on an anchor set, doing what I did."
Hearing men talk about how threatened they were by women in the newsroom during that era led to a big idea. How about a satirical comedy about the testosterone-fueled world of the 1970s newsroom from the point of view of the male anchorman?
Enter Ron Burgundy, one of the most politically incorrect broadcasters in film history.
"The whole era marked the clash of male chauvinism and feminism," Ferrell said. "It was a time when both issues came to a head, which really served our story. The point was just to have fun while getting to comment on a few things."
Adds McKay: "Let's just say it was a time of pre-social consciousness."
NEWSAM_131116_021.JPG: Women Move to the Anchor Desk:
Veronica Corningstone arrives at Channel 4 to add diversity to the all-male news team, but meets adversity instead. Ron Burgundy thinks diversity is "an old, old wooden ship that was used during the Civil War era." Veronica sails into the newsroom full of ambition, but she's stuck covering lightweight stories and fending off a pack of male chauvinist pigs. When Ron goes missing at airtime, Veronica gives her shot at the anchor chair. She nails the newscast and is promoted to co-anchor. Veronica rigs Ron's teleprompter, and his salty signoff gets him sacked. Shunned by the news team, he spirals from sharply dressed to sloppy mess, wandering the streets a broken man.
NEWSAM_131116_023.JPG: The Real Story:
Women made major inroads in TV news in the 1970s as local stations assembled news teams that looked more like the communities they covered. Reporters Melba Tolliver and Rose Ann Scamardella broke barriers at WABC-TV in New York. But in 1972, just 11 percent of local TV anchors were women, and they earned about half of what men did in the major markets. The newsroom could be a hostile place. At Seattle's KING-TV, Jean Enersen was told to drink whiskey and smoke so her voice would be lower and more appealing to viewers. Christine Craft was demoted at KMBC-TV in Kansas City, Mo., after station management told her she was "too old" and "too unattractive."
NEWSAM_131116_026.JPG: Sex Panther:
In the world of cologne, one fragrance stands above all others: Sex Panther. Direct from Brian Fantana's cabinet of colognes, the pungent scent sets off fire alarms in the newsroom, and Brian has to be hosed down in the parking lot to rmeove the stench.
NEWSAM_131116_038.JPG: The Real Story:
Local TV news teams that stressed rapport along with reporting became a broadcast news phenomenon in the 1970s. Led by news executive Al Primo, WABC-TV in New York brought national attention to the "eyewitness news" format, which replaced the lone TV anchorman with news teams and featured live, on-the-scene reporting and casual "happy talk" between co-anchors. Not everyone was sold on the revolutionary new format. CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite called it "cosmetic, pretty packaging, not substance." Still, the eyewitness news format rocked local TV news when it brought third-place WABC-TV to first place in the ratings in a little over a year. Newscasts across the nation copied the formula.
NEWSAM_131116_060.JPG: The Real Story:
Twiggy, the water-skiing squirrel, became a broadcast TV sensation in 1979 when WFTV-TV in Orlando, Fla., filmed her skiing on popsicle sticks attached to a motorized toy boat. TV newscasts in the 1970s injected heavy doses of upbeat human-interest stories and animal features into their reports, at the urging of ratings-savvy news consultants. At Chicago's WLS-TV, reporter Frank Mathie "interviewed" a chimpanzee and wrestled a bear. At KNXT-TV in Los Angeles, a reporter wearing a wet suit plunged into the water to "interview" a porpoise. Animal stories were not without their risks; WKYC-TV reporter Del Donahoo got 48 stitches after he was mauled by a lion while covering a lion-taming act ner Cleveland.
NEWSAM_131116_083.JPG: Meet the Real 1970s News Teams
NEWSAM_131116_090.JPG: Ron Burgundy may be the big screen's most popular news anchor, but television has also produced some memorable parodies of TV newscasters, from the buffoonish Ted Baxter to the animated Kent Brockman.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show, 1970-77:
Ted Baxter (played by Ted Knight): Pompous, dimwitted anchor for Minneapolis's WJM-TV.
Memorable quote: "Folks, I've just received a special news bulletin: 'You have something on your front tooth.'"
NEWSAM_131116_092.JPG: Saturday Night Live, 1975-present:
Roseanne Roseannadanna (played by Gilda Radner): Guest commentator on "Weekend Update".
Memorable quote: "It's always something!"
Murphy Brown, 1988-98:
Murphy Brown (played by Candice Bergen): No-nonsense investigative reporter and news anchor for the newsmagazine "FYI".
Memorable quote: "Death threats happen to every good journalist, Miles. You've gotta look at it as a rite of passage."
NEWSAM_131116_095.JPG: The Simpsons, 1989-present:
Kent Brockman (voiced by Harry Shearer): Arrogant news anchor for Springfield's Channel 6 News.
Memorable quote: "Now, at the risk of being unpopular, this reporter places the blame for all of this squarely on you, the viewers."
NEWSAM_131116_102.JPG: The Network Anchor:
"I have one great passion that lives deep within my loins, like a flaming golden hawk: To one day become a network anchor."
-- Ron Burgundy
For more than 60 years, the network anchor has represented the authority and credibility of television news. More than just newsreaders, anchors are seasoned journalists who shape and deliver the day's top stories. In the 1960s and 1970s, when only three broadcast networks dominated television, anchors were at the peak of their power. In 1972, "CBS Evening News" anchor Walter Cronkite was voted "the most trusted man in America."
Today, network anchors complete with cable channels and Internet news sites, and their audiences are less than half the size they used to be. Still, during times of crisis or uncertainty, the anchor is a trusted source. During the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the marathon high-wire work of Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings, Dan Rather and Aaron Brown helped inform and calm a terrified nation.
Women Network Anchors:
The anchor chair is no longer reserved for men only. In 1976, Barbara Walters became the first woman to co-anchor a network evening newscast. In 2010, two of the "Big Three" network newscasts were anchored by Diane Sawyer and Katie Couric. In 2013, PBS's Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff made history as the first female co-anchor team of a network news broadcast.
NEWSAM_131116_110.JPG: Ron Burgundy is #1 in San Diego
NEWSAM_131116_114.JPG: Arturo's Whip:
This whip was used by Spanish-language TV anchor Arturo Mendes during a battle among rival news teams.
NEWSAM_131116_116.JPG: The Real Story:
The rumble over ratings in "Anchorman" is an over-the-top scene, but "over-the-top" can be the name of the game in pursuit of viewers. Advertising rates for local TV stations are based on their ratings, or the number of people who tune in. The higher the ratings, the bigger the profits. Stations reveal their sensational sides during the all-important "sweeps" -- quarterly ratings periods that determine stations' advertising rates. Ratings didn't always rule TV news. In the early days of television, news was offered as a public service. But in the 1960s, television became big business as technology led to better news coverage and opened a mass audience for the news business, which increased advertising revenue.
NEWSAM_131116_121.JPG: The Real Story:
Hair, makeup and wardrobe are important elements for TV news anchors, and in the 1970s, that meant blow-dried hair, bell-bottoms and blazers with news team logos. News consultants coached anchors on the hairstyles, makeup and clothing that would look best on television. Judy Woodruff, who rose to become a network anchor, was ordered to cut her shoulder-length hair in 1972 as an anchor at WAGA-TV in Atlanta. "I had to go along. It was either that or quit." In the race for ratings, sometimes style trumped substance. Network news executive Av Westin said "good hair" was essential to a woman's success in TV news.
NEWSAM_131116_149.JPG: The Real Story:
On-air rapport became critical to the success of male-female anchor duos in the 1970s as local news stations began promoting their news teams as "families." KYW-TV anchor Mort Crim resented Jessica Savitch when she became the first female co-anchor at the Philadelphia station, but on the air, the two bantered like best friends. At KNXT-TV in Los Angeles, the on-camera chemistry between co-anchors Connie Chung and Maury Povich later led to their marriage. In New Orleans, WWL-TV co-anchors Angela Hill and Garland Robinette continued to trade happy talk on the air even after their divorce.
NEWSAM_131116_157.JPG: That '70s Set:
From the tacky news desk to the chintzy weather map, "Anchorman" captures the flavor of 1970s-era local TV news. Production designers watched tapes of old local newscasts and visited newsrooms to get the feel of the period.
Ron Burgundy's bachelor pad, left, evoked the 1970s with burnt orange and brown decor and shag carpeting. In Ron's baritone description: "I have many leather-bound books, and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."
Groovy Costumes:
As The New York Times put it, " 'Anchorman' transports us back to a familiar silly world of embarrassing facial hair and ugly polyester clothes."
But oh, those clothes! Ron Burgundy's hipster turtlenecks and bright orange robe. The massive wide ties, Vernonica Corningstone's pastel power suits. Champ Kind's swaggering, signature cowboy hat.
Ron's wardrobe had a color palette that was clearly borrowed from his last name. His signature burgundy suit and closetful of color-coordinated outfits made it clear he was confident about his choices.
NEWSAM_131116_189.JPG: Anchorman Ron Burgundy: Will Ferrell:
On women in the newsroom:
"You're just a woman with a small brain, with a brain a third the size of us. It's science."
Rowdy biker bars go silent when Ron Burgundy is on the air, and a baby's first words aren't "mama" or "dada" by "Ron Burgundy." With the swagger that only a top-rated news anchor can muster, Ron smokes, swills scotch and berates his makeup woman -- "Audrey! I look like hell. I got bags under my eyes!" -- seconds before airtime. A five-time local Emmy Award winner, he will read anything that appears on his teleprompter. Ron is a catnip to women -- especially when he plays his jazz flute -- but he goes home alone most nights to his faithful dog, Baxter.
NEWSAM_131116_191.JPG: Reporter Brian Fantana: Paul Rudd:
On women in the newsroom:
"I love the ladies. I mean, they rev my engine, but they don't belong in the newsroom!"
Brian Fantana is covering the top story of the summer: the impending birth of a baby panda at the zoo. Fearless Fantana demands an interview with the bear: "But they said, 'Nope, you can't do that. He's a live bear. He will literally rip your face off.' " Brian brags that he brings style to the Channel 4 news team and has a way with the ladies. His secret weapon is his cabinet of colognes, featuring Sex Panther by Odeon. "It's made with bits of real panther so you know it's good," he says. "They've done studies, you know. Sixty percent of the time, it works every time."
NEWSAM_131116_195.JPG: Weatherman Brick Tamland: Steve Carell:
On women in the newsroom:
"I don't know what we're yelling about!"
With an IQ of 48, it's understandable why Brick Tamland confuses the Midwest with the Middle East on his weather map. The dimwitted Brick doesn't understand why his colleagues are angry about the arrival of Veronica Corningstone, but fears that her hormones will attract bears to the newsroom. When talk turns to love, he is equally clueless, confessing, "I love lamp." Brick seems easygoing, until he lunges a trident into a rival's chest during a rumble with local news teams.
NEWSAM_131116_198.JPG: Sports Anchor Champ Kind: David Koechner:
On women in the newsroom:
"It is anchorman, not anchorlady! And that is a scientific fact!"
A macho chauvinist in a ten-gallon hat and cowboy boots, Champ Kind ogles and makes passes at new reporter Veronica Corningstone. His signature catchphrase is "Whammy!", which he uses to threaten Veronica during her first time in the anchor chair: "One slip and you're gone -- whammy!" When Ron Burgundy falls for Veronica, Champ reveals his true feelings -- for Ron.
NEWSAM_131116_201.JPG: Reporter Veronica Corningstone: Christina Applegate:
On women in the newsroom:
"I will have you know that I have more talent and more intelligence in my little finger than you do in your entire body, sir!"
Smart and ambitious, Veronica Cordingstone knows the newsroom is a man's world, but she still dreams of being a network anchor. She challenges her colleagues' sexist behavior and fights for better stories than cat fashion shows and meatloaf recipes. But Veronica is not above sabotaging Ron Burgundy's teleprompter to take his place as Channel 4's lead anchor.
NEWSAM_131116_210.JPG: Our Lips Are Sealed...
And so is this exhibit case until Tuesday, Dec. 17
#StayClassyNewseum
Anchorman 2
The Legend Continues
NEWSAM_131122_034.JPG: Mangled Jacket:
Channel 2 anchor Frank Vitchard, played by Luke Wilson, loses more than the ratings war -- he loses his right arm in a brawl with rival anchors and his left arm to a bear during a broadcast from the zoo.
NEWSAM_131122_041.JPG: Ron Burgundy is #1 in San Diego
NEWSAM_131122_051.JPG: Don't Mess with the Anchor Hair:
"Your hair looks stupid," Veronica Corningstone says, and those are fighting words to Ron Burgundy. He lunges at her in a typewriter-flinging newsroom brawl that ends with Ron being maced and whipped with a TV antenna. The looks-obsessed Ron is never far from his mirror or his mustache brush. Before airtime, he crows, "Hey, everyone! Come and see how good I look!" Even his teeth get the full beauty treatment: He and his dog Baxter wear matching dental retainers at night.
NEWSAM_131122_062.JPG: Baxter:
Ron Burgundy and his dog, Baxter, sleep in matching Channel 4 pajamas and dental head gear. This stuffed dog was used as a stand-in for Baxter.
NEWSAM_131122_066.JPG: Veronica's Jumpsuit:
Veronica Corningstone turns heads at a pool party wearing this jumpsuit. Smitten, Ron Burgundy makes a pass at her, bragging, "I'm kind of a big deal."
NEWSAM_131122_082.JPG: Ron's Jazz Flute:
Ron Burgundy ignites his romance with reporter Veronica Corningstone with a passionate jazz performance on this flute in one of the movie's most memorable scenes.
[There was a natural gas tube coming up his sleeve to make this work.]
NEWSAM_131122_084.JPG: Ron's Jazz Flute:
Ron Burgundy ignites his romance with reporter Veronica Corningstone with a passionate jazz performance on this flute in one of the movie's most memorable scenes.
[There was a natural gas tube coming up his sleeve to make this work.]
NEWSAM_131122_092.JPG: Ron's Pool Party Look:
Ron Burgundy makes a splash in this robe and these burgundy briefs at a wild pool party for the Channel 4 news team. But, Veronica leaves him high and dry after his feeble attempts to impress her.
NEWSAM_131122_126.JPG: Anchorman: The Exhibit
NEWSAM_131122_130.JPG: Take one chauvinistic local TV news anchor and add an ambitious female reporter who wants a job. Combine with a macho news team that sees no place for women in the newsroom and you get "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy."
With an all-star cast and quips that made it one of the most quotable movies ever, "Anchorman" became a comedy classic and spawned a sequel, "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues."
Will Ferrell portrays fictional 1970s local TV anchor Ron Burgundy, a blow-dried buffoon in a polyester suit who lives and died by his teleprompter. Anchorman to the top-rated news team in San Diego, Burgundy brags, "I'm kind of a big deal." Ron and his boozing, brawling buddies at Channel 4 News own the town -- until reporter Veronica Corningstone arrives with her sights set on Ron's anchor chair.
"Anchorman" Plays for laughs, but there's reality behind its humor. Before the era of 24/7 news, local TV anchors ruled the airwaves, and the anchor chair was for men only. But dramatic changes hit local TV news in the 1970s. Women stepped up to the anchor desk, and news teams took over.
In the movie, Veronica works her way to the anchor desk, as real-life newswomen did. As a wise bartender in "Anchorman" tells Ron: "Times are changing. Ladies can do stuff now. And you're going to have to learn how to deal with that."
NEWSAM_131122_139.JPG: The Wit and Wisdom of "Anchorman":
Share your favorite quote online using #newseum
NEWSAM_131122_142.JPG: Ron Burgundy:
"I'm kind of a big deal."
"You stay classy, San Diego."
"I love Scotch. Scotchy, Scotch, Scotch."
NEWSAM_131122_153.JPG: "Hey, everyone! Come and see how good I look!"
"Milk was a bad choice."
"I'm in a glass case of emotion!"
NEWSAM_131122_154.JPG: Reporter Brian Fantana:
"Sixty percent of the time, it works every time."
"People call me the Bri-Man."
NEWSAM_131122_157.JPG: Reporter Veronica Corningstone:
"I am 72 percent sure that I love you."
"Will, you have bad hair."
NEWSAM_131122_160.JPG: Sports Anchor Champ Kind:
"Whammy!"
"It is anchorman, not anchorlady! And that is a scientific fact!"
NEWSAM_131122_167.JPG: Weatherman Brick Tamland:
"I love lamp."
"Loud noises!"
NEWSAM_131122_170.JPG: Baxter:
"I will tell tales of your compassion."
"Hey! Is she going to live with us? Because I am not cool with that."
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2013 photos: Equipment this year: I mostly used my Fuji XS-1 camera but, depending on the event, I also used a Nikon D7000 and Nikon D600.
Trips this year:
three Civil War Trust conferences (Memphis, TN, Jackson, MS [to which I added a week to to visit sites in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee], and Richmond, VA), and
my 8th consecutive San Diego Comic-Con trip (including sites in Nevada and California).
Ego Strokes: Aviva Kempner used my photo of her as her author photo in Larry Ruttman's "American Jews & America's Game: Voices of a Growing Legacy in Baseball" book.
Number of photos taken this year: just over 570,000.
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