Jon Heder On "N***as In Paris:"

A few months after Blades of Glory star Will Ferrell shared his reaction to the ice-skating comedy being sampled by Jay-Z and Kanye West on their hit "N***as In Paris," fellow actor Jon Heder--who played Ferrell's skating sidekick in the film and who's voice was also featured on the sample, shared his confused-but-flattered response to being on the song.

"I actually heard about it after the fact," Heder revealed in an interview. "Then I called up my manager like 'What's going on here? Is there some kind of compensation happening?' It was like 'Whatever, the glory of the song is your compensation Jon. Listen to it.' I was like, 'All right.' I am like one of those in Paris. [I'm a part of history?] Yeah, I guess, we have to give it probably a few more years to see its history. ... I'm not quite sure what the connection is but I feel very but I feel very honored. It's a compliment right?"

Heder most famously starred as the goofy title character in the 2004 cult comedy Napoleon Dynamite.

Nicki, Lady Gaga, Beyonce Wow At VMAs

The 2011 MTV Video Music Awards once again proved that this is an awards show where the awards almost-always take a backseat to shock value and surprises. On a night when pop superstar Katy Perry took home the award for Video of the Year, and Young Money sex symbol Nicki Minaj netted the Best Rap Video Award, the night will best be remembered for weird outfits and one surprising announcement.

Minaj showed up wearing one of the most elaborate outfits in recent awards show history, but even she was trumped by Lady Gaga--who spent the entire night dressed in drag, oddly-resembling Ralph Macchio's character Pony Boy from the movie The Outsiders. In another strange turn of events, Britney Spears was presented with the Vanguard Award at the ripe old age of 29. R&B star Chris Brown gave an eye-popping performance of his hit "Beautiful People," while Adele's performance of "Someone Like You" with a simple piano accompaniment was the night's classiest performance.

Fans were also treated to Tyler, the Creator's mother jubilant reaction to her son winning Best New Artist.

But much of the night's thunder was stolen by megastar Beyonce--and not just because of her stellar performance of "Love On Top."

Bey revealed that she and hubby Jay-Z are expecting their first child together, much to the surprise and delight of fans.

There were several awkward moments; including Will Ferrell, Jack Black and Seth Rogen in an unfunny Beastie Boys sketch and Katy Perry's playful-but-somewhat awkward dig at Kanye West. "Now this is a time where you want to interrupt me, Kanye," she said, referencing West's infamous bum-rushing of Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs.

Will Ferrell Tones It Down, And Impressively Kills It, In "Everything Must Go"

Prior to seeing his revelatory performance in the new indie dramedy Everything Must Go, we hadn’t realized that, other than 2006’s oft-forgotten Stranger Than Fiction, Will Ferrell had yet to play an actual person.

Sure, he’s always portrayed humans in the skin-and-bone sense. But, if you really think about, the comedy heavyweight has embodied one caricature after another. Not that we’re bitching about it or anything; when Ferrell’s on, he’s the funniest guy working in the throng of actors known for playing dumbass man-children. Yet, take a deeper look at Ron Burgundy (2004’s Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy), or Ricky Bobby (2006’s Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby), or any of his other high-concept comedy roles—they’re all basically flesh-and-blood cartoon characters.

As much as we love most of Ferrell’s idiotic flicks (it’s best to just ignore the existences of Semi-Pro and Land Of The Lost), his work in Everything Must Go is convincing enough to instill one with hopes of more grown-up fare for the former Saturday Night Live cast member. Nuanced and quietly rendered, Ferrell’s performance is a complete 180 from everything else he’s ever done. For once, he’s playing an average guy, a relatable man without delusions of grandeur or elementary-aged maturity.

Behold Will Ferrell, The Restrained Thespian—Seriously

The film’s writer and director, Dan Rush, took a real chance in casting Ferrell, Hollywood’s perennial goof; the role, that of a sad man who lives on his front lawn after losing his job and having all of his possessions tossed outside by his disgruntled wife, is one you’d much more quickly associate with a Paul Giamatti, or, say, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Ferrell is an inspired choice, though, able to inject humor into the most pathetic of situations without resorting to his usual moronic wig-outs. His character, Nick Halsey, is a multi-layered fuck-up. In addition to getting fired at work and losing his wife, Nick is also a longtime alcoholic who tears through cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon like they were quarter-waters.

Nuanced and quietly rendered, Ferrell's performance is a complete 180 from everything he's ever done.

To script Everything Must Go, Rush adapted a popular short story by acclaimed short story writer Raymond Carver, entitled “Why Don’t You Dance”; in that lean tale, first published in 1991, the character’s arc is much smaller. He’s a nameless guy forced to live on his front lawn, and that’s pretty much it. Here, Ferrell breathes much life into Carver’s fascinating yet enigmatic protagonist.

The same goes for young Christopher “C.J.” Wallace (yes, Biggie’s son), who complements Ferrell’s efforts with an equally strong performance as a random, insecure neighborhood kid who befriends Nick and helps him sort through his lawn-stricken possessions. Referred to simply as “the boy” in Carver’s story, Wallace’s character in Everything Must Go, Kenny, is also fleshed out nicely by Rush, though much of the credit certainly belongs to the young hip-hop heir. Using little more than pouty facial expressions and pained vocal inflections, Wallace turns what could’ve been a distraction into a sympathetic and at times heartbreaking sidekick. He’s also capable of going tit-for-tat with Ferrell, displayed in a sweetly funny round of “Your mom is so fat” jokes.

In Everything Must Go, Simplicity Is Key

Though it’s his feature film debut, Rush guides Everything Must Go into rich emotional territory with wonderful ease. It’s not a show film in the least, and that’s what’s so noteworthy about it: Rush just lets his character breathe. The conflicts are all resolved without any unnecessary fireworks, particularly a subplot involving Ferrell’s interactions with a new, pregnant neighbor, Samantha (played more than adequately by the ever-cute Rebecca Hall). When Nick’s depression takes over, he lashes out at the compassionate Samantha, who’s experiencing similar marital woes of her own, with a matter-of-factness that’s sneaky in its impact. And, as a result, Ferrell further exhibits acting chops previously unseen, or even suspected.

At the beginning of a summer season promising loud action and massive spectacles, Everything Must Go is a welcomed surprise. Patient in its storytelling and true-to-life with its character development, Rush’s tender little flick is a poignant, sad, and funny examination of life’s darker times, and how a little bit of self-reflection can go a long way. Bet you weren’t expecting a Will Ferrell movie to earn such a description, huh?

Watch Will Ferrell-as-George W. Bush React to Death of Osama Bin Laden

Reactions to the news about the death of Osama bin Laden continue to pour in, some 60 hours after his death on Sunday night. Were you curious about what George W. Bush thought of the whole thing? Good! Because Will Ferrell has "reenacted" Bush's remarks about the event for Funny or Die. As you can guess, it's very funny and an always-welcome reminder of when Ferrell so expertly lampooned the former president on Saturday Night Live.
Watch the clip below. And always remember, nothing is more American than a love of taco bars.

President Bush Reacts to Osama Bin Laden's Death with Will Ferrell from Will Ferrell