Trade deal puts a U.S. stamp on Asian economy
Sports Now

Watch Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's new 'Airplane!'-inspired ad

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is known by most people as a Lakers legend and an NBA Hall of Famer. But to some, he will always be Roger Murdock, the co-pilot on the classic comedy movie "Airplane!"

On Tuesday, a new commercial was released where Abdul-Jabbar re-creates that classic role, alongside "Airplane!" star Robert Hays and Otto, the auto-pilot, in an ad for Travel Wisconsin.

Watching the ad, which you can see in the video above, reminds me of this classic exchange when a young boy named Joey visited the cockpit during the movie:

Joey: Wait a minute. I know you. You're Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. You play basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Roger Murdock: I'm sorry, son, but you must have me confused with someone else. My name is Roger Murdock. I'm the co-pilot.

Joey: You are Kareem! I've seen you play. My dad's got season tickets.

Roger Murdock: I think you should go back to your seat now, Joey. Right, Clarence?

Captain Oveur: Nahhhhhh, he's not bothering anyone. Let him stay here.

Roger Murdock: But just remember, my name is... [showing his name tag] Roger Murdock. I'm an airline pilot.

Joey: I think you're the greatest, but my dad says you don't work hard enough on defense.

[Kareem gets angry]

Joey: And he says that lots of times, you don't even run down court. And that you don't really try... except during the playoffs.

Roger Murdock: [breaking character] The hell I don't! LISTEN, KID! I've been hearing that ever since I was at UCLA. I'm out there busting my buns every night. Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes.


Kurt Busch to attempt Indy 500, Coke 600 on same day

Watch every basket from the 61 points LeBron James scored

Dustin Penner asks President Obama if he can stay at the White House


Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times