Mayor Rob Ford joins the laughter as ‘friend Ron Burgundy’ mocks drug scandal

The old saying, “Laugh, and the world laughs with you,” does not necessarily hold true if you are the free-falling mayor of Canada’s largest city who has shamed, embarrassed and damaged the city with an internationally-watched spectacle of drug use, lying, drunken stupors, obscene comments and childish behaviour.

Toronto Mayor Ford may have learned that this morning when he decided to join in the fun being had by U.S. comedians and talk show hosts, who have embraced Ford as an all-you-can-eat buffet of comedic gold. We’ve all seen the Jon Stewart segments, the Saturday Night Live skit, the Top 10 Lists and even Jay Leno asking former U.S. president George W. Bush to share health tips.

But now Ron Burgundy is getting in on the fun. During a visit with Conan O’Brien, Will Ferrell dressed as the world’s favourite fictional news anchor and announced that he had been asked to sing the theme song for Ford’s next election campaign.

[ Related: Convicted steroid trafficker linked to Rob Ford’s health routine ]

"My dear, dear friend Mayor Rob Ford of Toronto is running for re-election," Burgundy explained, before sharing thoughts on the mayor that were either laced with comedic irony or Burgundy's notorious obliviousness.

"I hold him in the highest regard. He is the best," he said.

What followed was a fairly straightforward rendition of the 1980s hit “Workin’ for the Weekend” by Calgary’s Loverboy, complete with a flute solo.

The result was satire soft enough to be embraced by Ford, who tweeted out the link to his more than 70,000 Twitter followers.

[ More Brew: Rob Ford overexposure isn't doing any favours for city]

The reaction was unkind, perhaps to be expected, as many appeared to feel Ford was making light of the scandal and shame he has brought to the city. (A recent study suggests Ford’s exploits have tripled the amount of negative attention Toronto receives from the international community.)

The only other time Ford has publicly reacted to the bevy of jokes coming out of the U.S. was at the end of his now-cancelled (after one episode) Sun New Network program, when he showed a clip of Jon Stewart chastising him for obscenely talking about performing oral sex on his wife live on television.

To that, Ford could only chuckle and say he regrets making such a comment. Now, it seems he sees the humour in the embarrassment he has brought the city.

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