Kind of a Big Deal

Kind of a Big Deal is a hysterical, revelatory look at the creation of one of the funniest, most renowned comedies of the 21st century, as well as its massive cultural footprint. Even if you've seen Anchorman 1,000 times, you'll learn something new on every page. -Andy Greene, New York Times bestselling author of The Office: An Oral History Kind of a Big Deal is a stark reminder that enduring success often rises from the ashes of failure. This is not just a book about Anchorman, but a chronicle of the lo-fi comedy scenes from which Will Ferrell and Adam McKay emerged. -Kliph Nesteroff, author of The Comedians and We Had a Little Real Estate Problem An entertaining, informative take on an influential comedy classic, a book that also somehow manages to touch on broader cultural issues and not in an academic way. A must for any comedy geek. -Mike Sacks, author of Poking a Dead Frog, And Here's the Kicker, and Stinker Lets Loose Saul Austerlitz's deeply reported, funny, smart writing takes you right off the page and deep inside the making of an iconic film that, it turns out, we all sorely underestimated. Kind Of a Big Deal not only weaves together countless delicious behind-the-scenes stories but offers a fascinating study of comedy and lively portraits of some of the greats -- from Carell to Ferrell. You won't watch Anchorman the same way again. -Thea Glassman, author of Freaks, Gleeks and Dawson's Creek In Kind Of a Big Deal, Saul Austerlitz goes beyond behind-the-scenes, showing us that, as silly as Anchorman seems on first glance, its impact and legacy matter deeply in the realms of comedy, gender relations, and even politics. It's a riveting read that will make you rethink its place in film history and recognize Ron Burgundy as the massive star he always knew he was. -Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, author of Seinfeldia and Sex and the City and Us In his deep dive into the legend of Anchorman, Saul Austerlitz brings us on an insightful, entertaining, and laugh-out-loud ride through Ron Burgundy's zany world. Fans of the beloved film will devour the delicious behind-the-scenes stories and gain new appreciation for the improv-comedy titans who created Burgundy from scratch. Anchorman and its descendants, Austerlitz persuades, remain sources of light and community, and a balm for an imperfect society. -Erin Carlson, author of I'll Have What She's Having and Queen Meryl Saul Austerlitz's Kind of a Big Deal is in-depth scholarship with an approachable smile: genial and easy to like, but the product of tireless, unrepeatable research. Austerlitz digs revealingly into every aspect of the making of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and the reasons why the film is a veritable switch box, wired into contemporary American culture. How big a deal is it? Considerable. -Stuart Klawans, author of Crooked, but Never Common: The Films of Preston Sturges