Let the campaign games begin, Ferrell-style.
Tuesday morning, Will Ferrell took stock of the beautiful day that greeted the launch of his fake political tour. "Thank you for coming out to the historic Grove," joked the suited-up comedian from a red, white and blue-cloaked stage, looking around at the spotless outdoor shopping complex.
"Where even the homeless people are fake," seconded Zach Galifianakis.
It was Day 1 of their Whistle Stop Tour, a promotion for the comedy The Campaign, out Aug 10. The two comedians joked around with gathered members of the press and fans as they took their spots behind a presidential-style podium, (somewhat) in character as North Carolina politicians vying for office.
In the film, Ferrell plays veteran congressman Cam Brady, whose frequent womanizing, binge-drinking and foot-in-mouth commentary have zero effect on his electability until an inexperienced local, Marty Huggins (Galifianakis), steps up to challenge him. The gloves come off quickly when their campaigns get down and dirty.
"I'm kind of a fish out of water when it comes to the political game, and I think Will's character is very savvy at it," said Galifianakis.
The two said they're skewering both the right and the left in The Campaign, and thanks to this year's presidential election, the timing is perfect.
"With the state of how crazy politics are getting, we thought it would be a very timely and funny way to kind of make fun of politics," said Ferrell.
The building blocks of any good campaign were there: Buttons were handed out, press dutifully showed up and nearby, cars emblazoned with the "candidates" faces waited.
But today, the issues steered far from immigration and job creation. Ferrell's first priority, should he win public office?
"I would do exactly what the congresspeople are doing right now," he said. "Nothing. I'd just hang out in Washington, go to great restaurants."
"Maybe go a ribbon cutting at Arby's or Six Flags," pondered Galifianakis. "Make it legal to take a left on a red." This, to his surprise, earned cheers from fans.
"I think that's on the ballot this year. Prop 89: Left on red," said Ferrell, beginning a chant: "Left on red! Left on red!"
And how do they plan on getting the Latino vote, asked a reporter.
"Zach and I have been spending a lot of time with Ricky Martin lately," joked Ferrell. "Zach?"
"We were at Carlos Santana's house last night," Galifianakis replied.
The comedian-infused Whistle Stop Tour will touch down Tuesday in St. Louis, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Chicago on Wednesday, Seattle on Thursday and San Francisco on Friday. A second leg later this month will take Ferrell and Galifianakis to Boston and Toronto on July 30, and Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., on July 31.
Inch by inch, this campaign should be a cinch. "Seattle's already passed 'left on red' so they're ahead of us," said Ferrell, as Galifianakis cracked up.
