The New Orleans Pelicans unveiled a new ad campaign on Tuesday, riffing on the hilarious, iconic Frankie & Johnny’s “Special Man” commercials from the 1980s.
The commercial — starring Ryan Anderson, Tyreke Evans, and Anthony Davis — is promoting a new three-game discounted ticket plan. Fans can purchase three-game packages of tickets to any game for $24 a seat.
Davis fills the role of the eponymous, cigar-smoking Special Man, originally played by Lester Love, Sr., a salesman at the furniture store who passed away in 2001.
“It was a lot of fun recreating the ‘Special Man’ commercial and I hope the employees and owners of the store would enjoy us reprising their roles,” said Davis in a statement released by the team. “At first when I saw it, I thought it was funny, but didn’t really get it. Some of the Pelicans staff who are from here were explaining to us how popular it was and it was fun to see their reactions as we were filming. We hope the fans enjoy it — it was fun for us to do.”
The commercial also features the vocal stylings of New Orleans radio personality Bob Walker, the original voice of the Frankie & Johnny’s commercials.
Says Walker: “When I was asked to recreate my original 1989 opening voiceover of the Frankie & Johnny's ad for TV audiences, I said ‘LET 'EM HAVE IT.’”
The original Frankie & Johnny's television commercial:
