Pet Rock: The Pop Culture Blog

"Semi-Pro" hits theaters this Friday. It stars Will Ferrell, which pretty much means we've seen this movie already. Lemme guess: He plays an over-the-top character and does outrageous and ridiculous things for a laugh.

This time, however, he does it as 1970s ABA player instead of a 1970s news anchor or a modern-day race car driver.

Like I said, we've seen this movie before. We'll hate it at first, then after 5-6 more viewings, we won't delete it from the DVR.

Top 5 Thursday counts down the only thing that deciphers one Will Ferrell movie from another: his sidekicks.

5) Bernard 'Beanie' Campbell (Vince Vaughn) in "Old School"

It stops right there and continues right here because what I think Beanie's friend Mitch is trying to say is that true love is blind. As strong as Frank the Tank was, where would Will Ferrell be if Vaughn didn't finish the wedding toast? This was Vaughn's finest work since "Swingers." Vince Vaughn is so good when he plays Vince Vaughn.

4) Cal Naughton (John C. Reilly) in "Talladega Nights"

Shake 'n bake. Mike Honcho. Because I like to party. Thank the cinematic heavens for brilliant character actor John C. Reilly.

3) Pearl in "The Landlord"

Ferrell's 2-year-old daughter played his landlord in this skit that helped make Funnyordie.com a household name (in those households that appreciate comedy and viral videos watched more than 50 million times).

2) Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen) in "Talladega Nights"

Perhaps the best character in terms of well-thought-out and subtle comedy. The French race car driver in a Perrier-sponsored car is pure brilliance. Sipping a macchiato in the car -- hilarious. The game of "Uncle" using crepes. Genius. Cohen/Borat/Ali G nailed the role.

1) Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) in "Anchorman"

Maybe it was the mustache. Maybe it was the Sex Panther. Maybe it was "James Westphal and Dr. Kenneth Noisewater." Maybe it was "Panda Watch!" Whatever it was, there's no denying the sidekick star power of Brian Fantana.