Semi-Profitable

The Will Ferrell Comedy Machine hit a snag this weekend, as his ABA-inspired comedy did only $15.3 million in business. That compares to $47 million for his NASCAR film, and $33 million for his figure skating one.

I'd name these movies, but what's the point? As Colonel Tom Parker once said about Elvis movies, they don't need names, just numbers.

Analysts cited the R rating and the poor opening weeked choice (this time of year isn't prone to blockbusters, unless you've got "300" style ass-kicking) as factors in the film's downslide... but this seemed to miss two points for me.

1) Doesn't seeing the same film three times start to, you know, cull the herd a bit after a while?, and

2) Maybe it's because basketball isn't as popular in the mainstream as either of those other sports? Basketball, especially pro basketball, is like jazz. You either get it or you don't, you find yourself identifying far too much with Woody Allen, you dress oddly and keep assuming that if people would only watch/listen, the scales would fall from their eyes, and... oh, forget it. Peasants.

And yes, I realize that the sport of choice isn't really the driver in these things, but, um, still. Your outraged defense of Ferrell and his oeuvre in the comments, please. Just don't point out that the guy making twisted testicle jokes doesn't have extra stones to throw in the suburb of hacks who live in glass houses. Because that would be, you know, terrible writing.