It’s been far too long since I’ve watched this clip. I think a whole year has passed, as a matter of fact. For a while there, it seemed I was watching it three times a day. I made myself sick of it. But, like a great song that wears out its welcome on the radio, you know that if you give it enough time, you’re going to enjoy blasting it again one day.
The time has come for me to appreciate today’s great thing anew:
96. The Landlord on Funnyordie.com
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Yes, this was first hot in 2007, but I’m just back to love it some more. Out of seemingly nowhere, I’ve started quoting lines from it again. Mostly “You need to RELAX” and “I want my MONEEEEEYYYY!“.
I think Adam McKay is my preferred comedy partner for Will Ferrell. (He’s the other guy in this sketch–also that’s his daughter, Pearl.) I base this on the fact that he’s also responsible for two of my faves (and everybody’s really)–Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and the pants-peeingly funny Step Brothers.
Whilst Ferrell is on top form in this sketch, the real star is of course, foul-mouthed little Pearl.
You might wonder if Pearl’s parents were concerned about her spouting such vitriol at Ferrell. Your answer is here from Wired magazine:
In the meantime, we asked McKay if he had any reservations about teaching his daughter the B word, which young Pearl hurls at Ferrell during the course of her tirade.
“I didn’t because Pearl’s at this phase where she repeats things but doesn’t remember them unless she says it like 20 times,” McKay says. “She’ll say anything and it goe away pretty quickly, so I felt pretty safe with it. Also, she has no context for what it means. She didn’t even know she was on camera. And, the word ‘bitch’ – – you can say it on television. I would never use the F word or any of that. It felt pretty playful and I knew Pearl wouldn’t remember, and sure enough she’s never said it since.
After The Landlord, Pearl went on to film Good Cop, Baby Cop which is also available on funny or die. Naturally, that short was also a smash. But, that’s all we’re going to get out of Pearl’s acting career for now. TMZ offered the following quotes regarding her retirement:
“My ventures as an actor on the Internet have been rewarding and spiritually fulfilling, but now I must look to broader challenges as I approach my 26th month,” says Pearl. “I shall always reflect upon these days with much fondness, and also, I have no idea what I just said, and I want banana-nana and the upside down show.”
“Retirement has been really good,” Pearl told us in between naps. “I played golf with Charles Barkley and Dan Marino the other day.”
As to her upcoming schedule, Pearl revealed, “I got offered a job at a casino as a greeter. But mainly I’m spending time with my family, spilling juice and putting things in my mouth that I find on the floor.”
It’s creepy to google too much about Pearl, so I’ll just leave her alone now.
Let’s close with one of my favorite scenes from McKay and Ferrell’s Step Brothers. If you haven’t seen it yet, please do–with a group of friends. (Comedy is most effective when viewed with the masses.) Even my easily annoyed girlfriend loved it.
Kate McCabe Warehouse 
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