Semi-Pro Tops Box Office

Despite lukewarm reviews, Will Ferrell's new sports comedy, Semi-Pro, has topped the box office, earning $15 million in its weekend debut. The film, however, which stars Ferrell as the owner of a fictional basketball franchise, did worse than Ferrell's previous sports spoof blockbuster openings. Talladega Nights opened at $47 million, and Blades of Glory at $33 million.

Box office analysts say the film suffered because it was rated R rather than PG-13, according to the Associated Press. New Line representatives declined to comment.

The gradual decline in box office earnings could also be attributed to oversaturation of Will Ferrell sports comedies. Because in the past they have been hits, studios have been releasing a new one each year. Many Will Ferrell fans complain that his movies have become formulaic and stale, simply because he plays a similar character in each one.

Though sports comedies have always been popular, there is a new brand out there today that sports (pun intended) a sillier approach. The success of Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn's Dodgeball marked the beginning of a slew of similar sports spoofs, but studios can only rework the same idea so many times before audiences lose interest.

Despite lackluster box office scores, though, Semi-Pro still reigned supreme over other top films like Vantage Point, The Other Boleyn Girl, and Penelope.