The 'Airplane!' Crew Flies Again to Celebrate... Wisconsin?

Buckle up! Two high-flying stars from the iconic spoof film Airplane! have reunited for a commercial to promote — brace yourselves — Wisconsin tourism.

Surely, you can’t be serious.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Robert Hays played stricken copilot Roger Murdoch and the drinking-problem-plagued Ted Striker in the oft-quoted 1980 comedy. The duo are back in the cockpit as two pilots with a difference of opinion when it comes to a safe altitude. Both the classic movie and the commercial were filmed by writer-directors Jim Abrahams and David and Jerry Zucker, each a Wisconsin native.

In the spot, the two hapless aviators are flying a bit too close to the ground because Kareem, who began his NBA career in Milwaukee with the Bucks before moving on to the Los Angeles Lakers, wants to get a nice look at the beautiful Wisconsin foliage.

"Pull up, we’re too low," Hays screams. "I know, but isn’t Wisconsin beautiful in the fall," Kareem responds. "You’re out of your mind," says Hays. "I know," says Kareem, shaking his head. "Why did I ever leave this place?"

Of course no homage to the movie would be complete without an appearance from a certain inflatable autopilot. Turns out: He’s a cheesehead.