Q: Is Adam McKay blossoming into a great comedy director?

A: With the reviews mostly positive for Adam McKay's Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (a 73/71 rating at Rotten Tomatoes), the second-time director's career prospects take another big step up this weekend. Is it the beginnings of a un-Shyamalan-esque trend towards greatness? T.A.M.S.Y. says maybe, after the jump.

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PLUS: Admitted porn actor Will Ferrell hawking iPods, after the jump.

Obviously, McKay's early success is predicated on the talent of Will Ferrell, comedian of the decade, who invents the dialogue as he goes. Still, the same was said of Austin Powers' Jay Roach, who also relied on an SNL alum to improv a throughline -- and yet Roach went on to make the very different, wildly successful Meet the Parents films, without Mike Meyers.

For now, McKay will have to settle for vast wealth, thanks largely to this guy:

Top dog Will Ferrell on why it's time to get an iPod.

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