It’s shake n’ bake time here at The Empire Speedway, as the swarming crowds prepare for the premiere of Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby. The atmosphere is revved to the max. Some people are so pumped they’re throwing their fists into the air and shouting “Will”, “Ferrell” and “I can recite Anchorman from start to finish so if you try to take my place I will fight you”. You can really feel the love.
Having grossed over $114 million dollars in the US so far, Ricky Bobby and his rollercoaster ride of NASCAR triumphs and personal failures will no doubt burn straight to the top of the UK box office when it’s released on September 15. But for now, the fans are in their seats, Empire is waiting in the pitstop and the chequered flag’s about to be dropped.
It’s something of a slow start. First up is Caesar from Big Brother. He’s a big Will Ferrell fan…and that’s about it. Onwards! Aisleyne and Imogen, also of the seemingly endless Big Brother collective, were equally insightful: “I love Will Ferrell and I love fast cars”. It’s revelatory stuff, folks. Suddenly Empire catches a glimpse of the Love Island contestants, one of whom seems to be ascending the stairs kissing his “guns”. Much hilarity ensues.
It feels like we’re entering the final straight when there is an explosion of camera flashes and whoops. It can only mean one thing – the man himself has arrived. Sporting a gleaming England football strip, Will Ferrell is immediately keen to enthuse about the UK’s national sport. “I can’t wait for the World Cup to start. I think England will definitely beat Portugal” he deadpans.
Unfortunately, Ricky Bobby’s nemesis Jean Girrard (Sacha Baron Cohen) is nowhere to be seen, but the love between the two comedy stalwarts is obviously still strong: “I’m definitely funnier than Sacha, I’m not being conceited. Sacha would agree to that” says Ferrell. “I think you trust me…you don’t trust Sacha”. As current figurehead of the Fratpack, Ferrell finds he has super-fans who can sometimes go OTT: “The worst [instance] was when I had a homeless man living in my house for a week. I thought he was a friend of my wife, just a guest, but it turned out to be a guy simply trying to steal memorabilia.” Will Ferrell – even funnier in shorts.