Steve Carell’s Surprise Ad-Lib That Made ‘Anchorman’ Iconic

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For approximately two decades post its initial theater screening, “Anchorman” continues to be hailed as one of the wittiest and most memorably humorous comedy films from this century, filled with scripted jokes and dialogue that crack us up. However, even among all these pre-written lines, Steve Carell came up with one of the funniest ad-libbed quips during filming, when he was playing Brick Tamland, the weather reporter. Can you guess which spontaneous remark he made?

The reason why Brick Tamland’s off-the-cuff jokes are so hilarious is that Will Ferrell quickly catches the playful improvisation, stays attuned to the moment, and delivers a response to the dialogue without ever skipping a comedic beat. Without knowing it was improvised on the spot, viewers would think Brick Tamland’s funniest line had been carefully planned in advance.

What Line Did Steve Carell Ad-Lib as Brick Tamland in ‘Anchorman’?

To set the scene once more, following Ron Burgundy’s (Ferrell) heartfelt announcement of his affection for Veronica Corningstone (Applegate) at the newsroom, Steve Carell’s character, Brick Tamland, gathers with Ron’s closest associates – Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), Champ Kind (David Koechner) – in Ron’s office to explore the complexities of love and its personal intricacies.

When Ron finds it hard to express loving feelings, Brian shares an inappropriate story about kissing a woman in K-Mart, which leaves Ron stating that it’s not love. Disappointed, Brian is met with nonsensical comments from Brick, who suddenly mentions his affection for carpets and desks, saying “I love carpet” followed by “I love desk.

Ron approaches Brick and queries if his proclaimed affection for inanimate objects is genuine or if it’s just a response to whatever catches his eye around the office, like the lamp. Unfazed, Brick sticks to his claim with an allegedly absurd statement when he gleefully exclaims, “I adore this lamp.” Ron inquires whether Brick truly loves the lamp or merely mentioned it because a lamp was visible in the room. “I adore lamp. I adore lamp” replies Brick, as if attempting to convince himself of his statement’s truthfulness. The absurdity of this nonsensical response is so amusing that one can only burst into laughter.

How Steve Carell Came Up With “I Love Lamp” in ‘Anchorman’

Back in 2018, Carell shared with Page Six some insights on the iconic “I love lamp” scene and the creative improvisation behind it. As a comedic heavyweight who has since demonstrated his ability to excel in dramatic roles, Carell began by expressing:

Speaking about the process of developing Brick Tamland, I’d like to share some insights. When on camera, I used to utter seemingly unrelated phrases.”

This version maintains the original meaning while making it easier to read and understand for a broader audience.

According to Carell, the famous “I love lamp” line emerged when the film’s director, Adam McKay, suggested there should be more dialogue for the actor in that particular scene.

Adam suggested, “There could be additional phrases for you, but unfortunately, there are none written here.” In response to his request for improvisation, Adam heard ‘I consumed a large red candle’ and ‘I adore the lamp.’

Carell credits Ferrell’s quick wit and ability to go with the flow, noting:

In this scenario, I was simply focusing on a lamp during the final moments of a scene and exclaimed, “I love this lamp.” Will Ferrell then humorously responded, “You’re just uttering words associated with whatever you’re gazing at.

Without a doubt, Brick’s eyes couldn’t help but sweep across the room, scouring for items to express affection towards. When his gaze landed on the lamp, it was as if a light bulb illuminated in his mind before he spoke. It’s fascinating to note that Steve Carell, who later became famous for his roles in The Office, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Foxcatcher (earning an Oscar nomination), had already delivered this memorable moment early in his career. Given the significance of filmmaking projects, it’s amusing that Carell humorously added a final touch to the “I love lamp” line.

“And we got paid to do it. There was a budget, and there were cameras. It was insane.”

It might seem unconventional, but it’s worth considering that comedy actors could benefit from having greater freedom to come up with their own lines spontaneously during performances. By the way, if you’re in the mood for a laugh, “Anchorman” is now streaming on Paramount+.

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2025-06-02 02:02