Will Ferrell's Burgundy to cover curling trials

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This article was published 25/11/2013 (1362 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BY the beard of Zeus, TSN has big news: Will Ferrell is bringing his iconic Ron Burgundy character to Winnipeg for the Olympic curling trials this weekend.

'Marked by the gods of broadcasting and placed into this shimmering green sphere like a golden egg in hay, chosen like an unclean jackal by Noah himself, I accept your hallowed task and sing out with a battle cry worthy of your love and your wisdom'-- Will Ferrell, in character as Ron Burgundy

Ferrell, working in-character as his Anchorman alter ego, will join TSN as a "special correspondent" when the Roar of the Rings kicks off at the MTS Centre this Sunday, the network announced during the Grey Cup. He's kind of a big deal: It will be the first time Ferrell has played the character on Canadian TV, though he has moonlighted as the pompous San Diego news anchor on American shows. "Burgundy" will provide game analysis alongside veteran curling broadcaster Vic Rauter.

"Marked by the gods of broadcasting and placed into this shimmering green sphere like a golden egg in hay, chosen like an unclean jackal by Noah himself, I accept your hallowed task and sing out with a battle cry worthy of your love and your wisdom," Ferrell/Burgundy said in a release on Sunday. "And that song is, 'Winnipeg, get ready to paint the town Burgundy!' "

TSN had already announced on Friday that Ferrell would be "working" for them in December in the guise of his Burgundy character, but the network kept his assignment a closely guarded secret. They were hoping to break the news during Sunday's Grey Cup broadcast, but those plans were foiled when a promo video featuring Burgundy cropped up on YouTube. That video was yanked soon after the Free Press reported it, and later aired during the Grey Cup.

Ferrell, TSN and the Canadian Curling Association worked closely for months to set up the appearance. The CCA has been assured that while Burgundy's work for the network at the Roar of the Rings will be comedic, the "integrity of the event" will be respected and play will not be interfered with. Plus, his apartment smells of rich mahogany.

While the star turn is no doubt exciting for Roar organizers, it also serves as promotion for the long-awaited sequel Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, which is slated to hit theatres on Dec. 20.

As for the Roar, eight men's and eight women's teams will be competing at the MTS Centre Dec. 1-8 to determine who will represent Canada in curling at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

--With files from Paul Wiecek

melissa.martin@freepress.mb.ca