Hi Folks,

It's Will Ferrell day here at Off Camera! Will's episode is the first release of our third season, and we are thrilled to share his interview with you.

What’s so funny about Will Ferrell? Almost everything, yes, but why? Why do we love his parade of odd, yet universally engaging characters and movies? Don’t ask him. We tried, and got the most un-definitive, but probably most honest answer: We don’t know. No one ever truly knows what makes a movie or a sketch or a character work. So why not just have fun with them? Ferrell talks to Off Camera about his path from standup to Saturday Night Live to film, and the haphazard beginning of Funny or Die – arguably the first successful sketch comedy on the Internet (you know you’ve started something when Michelle Obama asks you “Where’s my money, bitch?”)

You can watch his entire episode now at offcamera.com, read his interview on the Off Camera app, or get his magazine delivered right to your door. The episode on our site is 16 minutes longer than the Directv Broadcast version, so you can enjoy even more Will!

So pull up a chair, and join us!

Sam Jones

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    Just mention Will Ferrell’s name or glance at a picture of him and chances are you’re already smiling (or smirking or laughing out loud). But the really funny thing is that it’s not necessarily because his best-known characters are so gosh-darn loveable. See, Ferrell never bought the conventional movie truism that comedic leads have to be likeable, and went on to prove it, perhaps most pointedly with the iconic Ron Burgundy. In fact, he doesn’t even think comedy has to be particularly funny to be hysterical. 

     While working a number of “regular” jobs, (he actually almost became an anchorman), Ferrell did stand up in small clubs, clinging to his father’s surprisingly helpful advice that his ever making it would be a long shot. It was just that take-it-or-leave it approach that allowed him to pursue his unique comedic style free from the angst that might have otherwise crushed it. It might also explain a small sadistic streak that underlies his performances – if you don’t like what he’s doing, sit back and enjoy it anyway…or else.

     In this issue, he describes his stomach-churning, knee-buckling Saturday Night Live audition and the even more daunting experience of joining the legendary show at one of its lowest points. He also shares his writing process, stories behind some of his best loved impersonations and his long and sometimes perplexing feature film CV. His success and work in projects as diverse as Elf and Stranger Than Fiction illustrate the rare genius of someone who can make the ridiculously absurd not only believable, but sympathetic. Chalk it up to talent or unquestioning commitment to any role he takes on, but not to hard work. Ferrell’s a firm believer in not overthinking the work or worrying too much about whether his projects succeed, as long as he’s having fun along the way. He may not be cerebral, but trust us, he’s brilliant.

- from the Off Camera interview