Will Ferrell explains his viral Buddy the Elf look at hockey game: 'I like to do weird things'

Will Ferrell knows that the best way to spread Christmas cheer isn’t singing loud for all to hear, it’s dressing up as a haggard version of one of your most beloved characters and pounding back a beer at an NHL game.

On the latest episode of Jason and Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast, the actor, 57, explained why he chose to make a surprise appearance as a candy cigarette-smoking version of his beloved Elf character Buddy at a Los Angeles Kings game last month.

“Buddy the Elf got laid off, I think, from the North Pole. He’s having a pull from his beer. He’s smoking a cig,” Ferrell joked of his appearance at the game. “That was just — I get these weird ideas every now and then.”

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related: See every host in elite Saturday Night Live Five-Timers Club

The comedian, who is a longtime Kings fan and season ticket holder, explained that he pitched the stunt to his wife Viveca Paulin first.

“I said, ‘Gosh, over the break, it’d be funny if I just got a Buddy the Elf costume and didn’t shave for like a week and I’m just sitting there with a candy cigarette — it’s just a candy cigarette! — and I’m just gonna sit there for a period and see how people react,’” he recalled. “And that was it.”

Still, Ferrell was shocked by the all of the attention that his stunt received. “The reaction was insane. They were like, ‘What is he doing? Is he promoting something?’” he said. “But occasionally I like to do weird things like that just to stir it up.”

Related: One of the funniest improvised gags in Elf almost didn't make the final cut

Ferrell pulled off the gag at the Dec. 29 match between the L.A. Kings and the Philadelphia Flyers at Crypto.com Arena. His character’s signature green garb quickly caught the attention of FanDuel Sports Network journalist Carrlyn Bathe, who reported during the game that she went down to speak with him about his wardrobe choice.

"I stopped by just to check in on him, he's smoking a cigarette ringside, he's got a five o'clock shadow, looking a little bit disgruntled," Bathe said. "[He] said it was a tough holiday season, you guys, and he's looking for a Kings win."

As it turns out, the holiday spirit was on Ferrell’s side, because the Kings ended up winning the game. Watch Ferrell discuss his surprise Elf appearance in the clip above.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly