“Based on actual events. Only the dates, names, and events have been changed.”

As the Bill Curtis voice-over chimes in and begins to describe the timeframe, and images of Ron Burgundy fill the screen, you feel as though this could be a fun ride. But after the first fifteen minutes of laughing at the Will Ferrell creation that is “Anchorman,” the skit gets old and you begin to feel as though you’re in another Saturday Night Live skit-to-screen mess that is drawn out and occasionally funny; and you’d be right.

“Anchorman” tells the tale of a 1970’s San Diego network news show, specifically Channel 4, and it’s 6:00 News Team. The team comprises of the pompous Ron Burgundy (Ferrell), Anchorman, the “Whammy” catch-phrase cowboy Champ Kind (David Koechner) on Sports, the studly (in his own mind) Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) on location, and the dim-witted Brick Tamland (Steve Carell) on weather. When the network starts trying to diversify, and brings in female correspondent Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), the all-male club is under attack, and Burgundy is smitten. As Corningstone learns that stepping on anyone in your way to the top is not the way to go, and Burgundy learns that everyone is replaceable, the comedy at the news desk is priceless.

Unfortunately, the comedy outside of the studio is not that rich. While Ferrell does have his moments, and the dialogue (or one-liners) he delivers at times is very funny, the overly egomaniacal Burgundy strikes some really unfunny chords throughout. Even his two other channel teammates Champ and Brian strike more times sour than sweet. There’s even a scene that plays after the credits roll, but to be honest, it’s not worth sticking around for, and really leaves the audience with an uncomfortable silence.

The only saving grace that “Anchorman” has is its surprisingly rich cast of supporting characters. Steve Carell steals literally every scene he’s in as the extremely dense Brick Tamland. Christina Applegate stands up surprisingly well to Ferrell and matches wit with him, at points even overshadowing him. Other small cameos from Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Tim Robbins are funny in themselves, but that’s because of their limited screen time.

While there is some salvation and there are genuinely hilarious moments to the film, the ride is rather flat and unfunny, with a few dips here and there to keep the ride moving. The real fun starts about 45 minutes into the film, when Burgundy and Corningstone start taking verbal and literal pot-shots at each other and a anchorman-rumble scene breaks out, but unfortunately it comes much too late. Mildly funny, and sometimes painfully not, “Anchorman” has it’s moments, but not enough of them to make you get back in line for another ride.