AnytimeWill FerrellandAdam McKayteam up, it’s nothing short of comedic gold.Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobbyproved to be another well-regarded comedy after the success of their previous collaboration,Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. Ferrell stars alongside frequent costarJohn C. Reillyin this 2006 blockbuster satirizing NASCAR culture and one man’s redemption arc after crashing out at the height of his career.
There is an entiregenre of 2000s racing moviesout there – Pixar’sCarsandTalladega Nightscame out just weeks apart – but the latter does something different. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. Physical comedy blends with absurd humor, resulting in a movie filled with unforgettable iconic moments. ButTalladega Nights' greatest strength is the frequent jokes infused into the script. These lines are absurd and hilarious, referenced even to this day.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Number one NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby stays atop the heap thanks to a pact with his best friend and teammate, Cal Naughton, Jr. But when a French Formula One driver, makes his way up the ladder, Ricky Bobby’s talent and devotion are put to the test.
10"Someone didn’t love you enough when you were little, did they?"
Texas Ranger (Grayson Russell)
There aren’t many children in the movie, but those who do appear to match the crude humor alongside the rest of the cast. Namely, Ricky (Ferrell) and Carley Bobby’s (Leslie Bibb) sons, Walker (Houston Tumlin) and Texas Ranger (Grayson Russell). These a**holes are raised in a privileged environment whose personalities reflect this.
There is nothing worse than being called out by children.
But they are also the source of numerous comedic moments simply out of shock that came from their mouths. They have no problem throwing digs at their parents. Or their estranged grandfather when he dismisses the offer to play baseball with them. Interestingly,their attitude somehow works in tandem with Reese Bobby(Gary Cole), who, in many ways, is the reason why Ricky is the way that he is. There is nothing worse than being called out by children.
9"You taste of America."
Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen)
At the start ofTalladega Nights, Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen) poses a threat to Ricky’s race, as if America itself is under threat. The French racecar driver does things differently and, to Ricky’s disdain,makes an offer to leave the race and return home – if the all-American hero kisses him. He refuses and Jean stays, thus setting off the events that would transpire.
…Ricky finally gives Jean that kiss in front of friends, colleagues, and fans.
This foreshadowing comes full circle at the end of the movie when Ricky returns to NASCAR to “free Jean from America” and return home. He must lose the race. So Ricky does that (in an unorthodox way). Perhaps as a sign of growth, Ricky finally gives Jean that kiss in front of friends, colleagues, and fans. Jean is there as a foil to their American antics.Is it criticism or a compliment when Jean tells Ricky that he “tastes of America?”
8"Jesus, we thank you so much for this bountiful harvest of McDonald’s, KFC, and the always delicious Taco Bell."
Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell)
…The film offers not-so-subtle nods to American brands as customary for NASCAR endorsements.
It’s meta, in a sense, that Ricky relies on advertising companies, and at the same time, blockbuster movies also utilize product placement to help with the budget. Additionally, the quote furthersTalladega Nights' themes, which satirize American consumerism. Interestingly,Talladega Nights' studionever actually got paidfor these placements – they did it purely for the bit.
7"I wake up in the morning and piss excellence."
Ricky basks in fame and fortune at the start of his triumphant career.He may be egotistical and out of touch, but there is no denying that the guy has talent. And for some time the world played into this; he was nothing short of perfection.
Ricky basks in fame and fortune at the start of his triumphant career.
In a brief cutaway scene,Ricky gets interviewed by the press, telling them that every morning he wakes up and “pisses excellence.“There is nothing classy about Ricky (or his family, for that matter). His success is over-hyped, but it makes for an entertaining protagonist.
6"Ten years.”
Ricky Bobby (Luke Bigham)
This exchange exemplifies the strainedrelationship between father and son. When Reese returns to his son’s life for a short appearance, he asks, “How long has it been? Three, four months?” To which Ricky replies, “Ten years.” Tragically humorous in its own right,it’s made worse by the fact that Ricky’s entire class witnessed the reunion. He goes on to make shameless claims about racecar driving, insults the teacher’s authority, and offers inappropriate advice to 10-year-olds.
His father might be gone for most of his life, but when he returns, Ricky welcomes him with hope.
Their conversation characterizes Reese as the detached, absent father that he isand also Ricky’s inability to differentiate this from the actual love that he needs. His father might be gone for most of his life, but when he returns, Ricky welcomes him with hope. But hey, at least Reese showed up (before disappearing again until Ricky grows up).
5"Whoa! Get down, you little pancake.”
Pinned to the pool table of a crowded town bar, Ricky is at Jean Girard’s will. While this quote is not as funny on its own, it ignites an exchange that descends into an absurd conversation.Jean, Ricky, and Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly) debate pancakes versus crêpes in a battle between the French and Americans.
…The men find themselves in competition with each other, forgetting that all they want to do is race and have fun.
Perhapsit’s Cohen’s exaggerated accentor cadence, but hearing him speak these words is simply hilarious.They realize they like crêpes and the argument proves to be over nothing. It’s reflective of the movie’s themes; the men find themselves in competition with each other, forgetting that all they want to do is race and have fun. A crêpe is a pancake and vice versa, as Jean, Ricky, and Cal ultimately decide.
4"It’s not crazy to think I can live to be 245, maybe 300."
Sometimes, Ricky’s utter ignorance is endearing. It’s used for comedic purposes throughoutTalladega Nightsandshowcases his lack of intellectual reasoning, focusing instead on talent that lies elsewhere. Only would he proclaim that he might live until 245 years old and be (most likely) serious.
…This is a man who proclaims to believe and practice religion, yet is willing to defy these beliefs for the sake of self-preservation.
Of course, it’s an exaggeration but one thatis reflective of Ricky’s inflated ego before succumbing to his hubris. Even more ironic, this is a man who proclaims to believe and practice religion, yet is willing to defy these beliefs for the sake of self-preservation. He’s detached from reality, but we can’t help but be entertained by him regardless.
3"Shake and Bake."
Ricky Bobby and Cal Naughton Jr. (Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly)
IfTalladega Nightshad a slogan, it would be “Shake and Bake.“It’s not just a phrase. It’s a way of life for longtime friends and teammates, Ricky and Cal, to motivate one another. The repetitive use provides hilarious moments that leave audiences questioning what the phrase means (if anything). Ferrell and Reilly’s bond is clear, perhaps inspiring their futurecollaboration inStep Brothersa few years later.
It’s not just a phrase. It’s a way of life for longtime friends and teammates, Ricky and Cal, to motivate one another.
“Shake and Bake” is often spoken before a race to motivate one another on the track. It’s motivational but nonsensical to anyone but the racing duo. Jean even calls them out on their nonsense, asking, “Is that an epilepsy?” This pretty much reflects everyone’s sentiment. One thing is certain: they will “Shake and Bake.”
2"If you ain’t first, you’re last.”
MentionTalladega Nightsand someone will respond with, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.“It’s a quote repeated throughout the movie but is just empty words. Like many lines in the film, this doesn’t make sense. So, what exactly does it mean? It’s not enough to finish a race in second, third, fourth, etc. It’s first place or nothing.
Ricky’s success is worthless if he does not win.
Ricky and his father’s delivery of this quote is always humorous, but there is a twinge of something devastating. It’s an impossible feat to obtain that ultimately determines Ricky’s childhood and adulthood. Ricky’s success is worthless if he does not win.The tragedy of it all is that Ricky’s father doesn’t even remember saying it.
1"Tom Cruise, use your witchcraft on me to get the fire off me!”
Ricky is a religious man when he needs to be. But during times of struggle, Ricky will put his faith in anything or anyone he deems beneficial. When the star NASCAR driver crashes his car one fateful day, he crashes out.Ricky appears to suffer a psychosomatic injury when he – and his car – are in flames. They are not.
But during times of struggle, Ricky will put his faith in anything or anyone he deems beneficial.
Ferrell’s physical comedy is on display as he runs around the track stripping off his clothing as a crowd of fans looks on in confusion. This causes him to scream out for help from anyone who might hear him; and if all else fails:Tom Cruise. This begs two questions – what could theMission: Impossiblestar do for him, and why is he the first person Ricky thought to cry out for?
