The NSFW Joke John C. Reilly Told Will Ferrell That Nearly Caused Him To ‘Break’ While Filming Talladega Nights: ‘That Was All Improvised’

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Throughout his illustrious career, Will Ferrell has had many unforgettable comedy moments and quotes from his films and TV shows have become legendary. However, it was a single line delivered by John C. Reilly in the movie “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” that came close to taking Ferrell out of the game. Ferrell himself revealed this, stating that one particular remark from his co-star nearly toppled him.

The 2025 Oscar Wilde Awards hosted by the U.S.-Ireland Alliance was where Reilly was recognized among other honorees. In attendance was Will Ferrell, who entertained everyone with a mix of emotional and humorous anecdotes about their collaborations. Recalling their enduring friendship and comedic bond (as reported by People), the star of “Blades of Glory” reminisced on a particularly memorable improvised scene from “Talladega Nights”. As he put it:

(Note: The original text has been kept intact for the quote.)

John admitted to me that he had modeled for Playgirl magazine under the alias Mike Honcho at some point in the past. Indeed, he revealed that he had exposed his backside during the shoot. This unexpected revelation left me rather taken aback.

In the described situation, the action unfolds as Reilly’s character, Cal Naughton Jr., pays a hospital visit to Ferrell’s comatose character Ricky Bobby. During this visit, Cal reveals an extremely inappropriate secret, hoping for a heartfelt conversation. However, his casual manner of disclosure leaves Ferrell in fits of laughter. Despite Ricky being technically unconscious, some observant viewers may notice him fighting to suppress his giggles in the video below.

The elf star reminisced about his initial encounter with Reilly during his renowned days at Saturday Night Live. However, it wasn’t until the early stages of Anchorman that they started contemplating collaboration seriously. Interestingly, Reilly took part in the film’s first script reading before choosing to decline an opportunity to be part of Gangs of New York.

It was at Adam McKay’s and Will Ferrell’s initiative to cast John C. Reilly as Cal Naughton Jr., a role specifically written for him. Their on-screen partnership resulted in some of the film’s funniest scenes, such as the iconic Mike Honcho confession. They have collaborated again, producing hits like “Step Brothers” and arguably one of Ferrell’s least successful movies, “Holmes & Watson,” which left many viewers dissatisfied enough to walk out.

Reflecting on the film “Talladega Nights” brings a desire for another creative partnership between its stars. Could it be that the long-awaited sequel to “Step Brothers” is finally on the horizon? The Mike Honcho sequence demonstrates that Reilly possesses not only exceptional skills as a dramatic actor, but also stands among the top comedic improvisers in the industry.

At the Oscar Wilde Awards, Will Ferrell paid homage not just to John C. Reilly’s hilarious talent but also expressed his heartfelt affection for his friend. Whether they were on the verge of cracking up during filming or singing “Boats N’ Hoes,” a tune that Reilly co-wrote, their collaboration has left an indelible mark on comedy. It’s been some time since they worked together, and fans eagerly anticipate another collaboration. Perhaps there are more secrets for Mike Honcho to unveil?

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2025-03-12 23:38