Washington, D.C.: Newseum out to stay classy with ‘Anchorman’ exhibit

Ron Burgundy may be the most famous anchorman who never was, but that’s not stopping the Newseum in Washington, D.C., from showcasing the fictional ‘70s character in “Anchorman: The Exhibit,” which opens Thursday.

Burgundy’s burgundy suit? Check. His flaming jazz flute? Check. His Sex Panther Cologne, yes -- along with a re-creation of the KVWN-TV anchor desk made famous in the 2004 “Anchorman” film and playing a return visit in “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.” The sequel, starring Will Ferrell as Burgundy, is to open Dec. 20.

What’s with such a lighthearted vibe at the Newseum amid exhibits such as the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination and civil rights milestones? Cathy Trost, vice president of exhibits and programs, says the pop culture show conveys certain truths behind the politically incorrect local newsman.

“There really was a time in news history when men owned the anchor chair,” she said Wednesday. “We tell stories about challenges women faced to be taken seriously in the news business.”

Burgundy isn’t the only pop culture anchorman in the building. Ted Baxter (a.k.a. Ted Knight) from the “Mary Tyler Moore” show and Candice Bergen’s Murphy Brown also are highlighted along with real news anchors such as “NewsHour’s” Judy Woodruff.

So what does all of this add up to? “It tells the story of dramatic change in the news business in the 1970s as news teams, and women and minorities, became more of the face of news and reflected the communities they covered,” Trost said.

Ferrell will appear at the museum Dec. 3 for a private reception and party to open a section of the exhibit based on “Anchorman 2.” And there will be a screening of “Anchorman 2” (it’s already sold out) with actor David Koechner, who plays sports reporter Champ Kind.

The exhibit, co-created with Paramount Pictures, runs until Aug. 31.

Info: Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C.; (888) 639-7386

mary.forgione@latimes.com
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