When Apple TV+ debuted back in November 2019, it was basing its launch on the support of its flagship show, The Morning Show. Billed as an inside look at a fictional morning talk show, The Morning Show has essentially carried the success of Apple's streaming service through its initial months.
Quickly, however, it was compared to media that was similar to it, like Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom. But one fun comparison comes between The Morning Show and the 2004 comedy, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. Both deal with people trying to deliver the news. Both star Steve Carell. But which one is better?
The Morning Show: The Cast Is Much Deeper On The Show
Anchorman has a cast of comedy all-stars; there's no denying that. But honestly, a lineup of Carell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner, Christina Applegate, and Will Ferrell is easily outclassed by Carell, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, and Gugu Mbathaw-Raw.
Not to mention that the cast of The Morning Show goes way deeper than just its leads. The iconic Mindy Kaling is a recurring actor on the show! That's how deep the pockets of Apple are. They can afford to have Kaling on in a recurring capacity.
Anchorman: But The Cameos Are Better In The Movie
The cameos are pretty good on The Morning Show. Kelly Clarkson, Martin Short, and Mike O'Malley, among others have popped up for episodes here and there.
But Anchorman has cameos that are among the greatest in cinematic history. Judd Apatow, Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Missi Pyle, Seth Rogen! The list goes on and on. And don't even think about the sequel to Anchorman, which essentially structures its third act around cameos. If the humorous appearances of beloved actors is enough to garner interest in a story, then Anchorman definitely has The Morning Show beat.
The Morning Show: It Has Received A Ton Of Awards' Attention
The Morning Show received three Golden Globe nominations in the television categories, including one for Best Television Series - Drama. It did not win any of the awards, but so far during this winter awards circuit, it has managed to net two trophies. One was for Crudup, who won the Critics' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. The other came over the weekend for Aniston, when she won the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series. The performances by Crudup and Carell were also nominated.
Granted, Anchorman was not made for awards consideration, but The Morning Show has already tallied seven nominations in its initial run and there is a big potential for more.
Anchorman: Its Legacy Has Long Outlasted The Awards Ceremonies Of 2005
Awards? Anchorman does not need no stinkin' awards. It was completely snubbed out of awards consideration for the Golden Globes, the Oscars, and everything in between. But what Anchorman has is far more valuable. It has a cultural footprint.
It's been sixteen years since the movie came out and it still has a massive presence in the pop culture realm. It is one of Ferrell's most iconic performances and it has spawned a slew of spin-off content centered around the Ron Burgundy character. What's more, Anchorman has even managed to enter into the world of memes, something The Morning Show hasn't even come close to doing yet.
The Morning Show: It Deals With More Pressing Issues
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, The Morning Show was retooled in terms of how it dealt with Steve Carell's character, Mitch Kessler. After allegations of sexual misconduct were levied against Matt Lauer, the former anchor of the Today show on NBC, it seemed like The Morning Show almost had to respond to this element of the climate around a morning talk show.
The way it has handled these issues has come with mixed results, but there is no denying the importance of handling such sensitive subject matter on a big budget television show.
Anchorman: It Is Way Funnier
This one probably seems pretty obvious. Yes, Anchorman is funnier. It is a comedy, after all. But when The Morning Show was first announced with a cast of Aniston (Friends), Witherspoon (Legally Blonde), and Carell (The Office), many assumed that it would be a funny show to watch. Not quite.
It cannot get dinged for not being something it never tried to be, but Anchorman has an undeniable laugh advantage. If a viewer is ever interested in watching a quick comedy to feel good and happy, then Anchorman is the way to go. That has value.
The Morning Show: It Is Based On A Fascinating Book
The early production charge on The Morning Show was led by those who were adapting Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV, a book by Brian Stelter. The book is incredible and has been widely praised as one of the best behind-the-scenes looks at a television show ever crafted.
As such, The Morning Show, following in the book's footsteps, learns from many of the stories written about by Stelter. This creates a real sense of authenticity to the show that not every fictional news movie or television show can provide.
Anchorman: The Movie Was Way More Prescient About The Real World
As much as The Morning Show deals with real world issues and authentic newsroom power grabs, there is only so much that it can deal with so quickly. Many of the hot-button issues on the show are no longer "hot-button." On the other hand, Anchorman somehow ended up predicting the future of news as an institution and the eventual evolution of cable news as a dominant force in the world's culture.
The fact that it managed to be a soothsayer of a film, all while coming out in 2004 and being set during the 1970s just makes Adam McKay's directorial and screenwriting efforts even more impressive.
The Morning Show: It Has Revitalized the Prowess Of Jennifer Aniston
Sometimes, a television series or a film is venerable simply for its ability to remind audiences about how great and beloved a star can be. That is what The Morning Show has provided in spades. But when it boasts the return of Jennifer Aniston to a television show, that is a big deal.
Over the years, she has been in audience-beloved movies like Just Go with It and We're the Millers, but no role has been as universally adored as her turn as Rachel Green on Friends. By putting her at the heart of a new series, the world remembers how awesome she is as a television star.
Anchorman: It Made Will Ferrell An All-Time Comedy Star
Thanks to one of the great Saturday Night Live careers ever and a hilarious, time-honored performance in Elf, Will Ferrell was already well on his way to becoming a comedy star when Anchorman hits theaters. But the role of Ron Burgundy became something ineffable for the funnyman.
Suddenly, he was way more than just a comedy star. He was a comedy legend. So early in his career, he had already earned this title and it is all thanks to the hilarious and well-timed brilliance that oozes from every frame of Anchorman.