ABSTRACT
A priceless scene from Talladega Nights: Th e Ballad of Ricky Bobby, depicts Ricky, played by Will Ferrell, saying grace around the family table. “Dear Lord Baby Jesus…we thank you so much for this bountiful harvest: Dominos, KFC, and the always delicious Taco Bell…,” he begins. He continues to thank Baby Jesus for his family that includes his boys Walker and Texas Ranger (“or TR, as we call him”), his “red hot smokin’ wife Carly” (“who is a stone cold fox”), and her father Grandpa Chip, on whose behalf he asks Baby Jesus to use his Baby Jesus powers to heal his “horrible” leg. (“It smells terrible, and the dogs are always botherin’ with him.”) Mid-prayer, Carly interrupts Ricky’s supplication and reminds him that Jesus actually did grow up. “You don’t always have to call him baby; it’s a bit odd and off puttin’ to pray to a baby.” “Look,” Ricky declares, “I like the Christmas Jesus best, and I’m sayin’ grace.” Th e scene proceeds with family members and his “best friend and team mate Cal Naughton, Jr., who’s got my back no matter what” describing the particular version of Jesus to whom they pray: Jesus in a tuxedo tee shirt that says “I wanna be formal but I like to party too,” Jesus the ninja fi ghtin’ off evil samurai, Jesus with giant eagle’s wings singing lead vocals with Lynryd Skynard.
