Let’s face it. Despite our boyhood dreams, many of us aren’t cut out to be athletes. Even recreational pursuits can be challenging, much less breaking into the ranks of professional sports.
In this spot, a would-be weekend athlete not only isn’t very good but also is a danger to those around him. First we see his prowess on the tennis court, playing mixed doubles. He serves and the ball hits his female partner at the net right in the head.
We move onto foosball. With one twist of the rod handle, the ball flies toward his opponent, striking him in the eye.
Bowling? Don’t ask. He lets go on his backswing and the ball sails backwards, knocking out cold a man seated at the scorer’s table.
Predictably, billiards offers much of the same. The cue stick kisses a ball, causing it to carom into the eye of his opposing player.
Sportscaster Sam Rosen’s voiceover asks, “Like to win? Not very good at it? Play Max A Million, the new instant game from the New York Lottery.”
The :30 ends with a man picking up darts in a bar, asking if anyone would like to play. Instead, all the bar patrons run for cover.
Bruce Hurwit of Crossroads Films, bicoastal and Chicago, directed the spot for DDB New York.
The DDB creative team consisted of: Lee Garfinkel, chairman/chief creative officer, New York; Scott Grayson, creative director/copywriter; Rich Sharp, creative director/art director; Bob Nelson, director of broadcast production; Walter Brindak, executive producer; and Stephanie Whitehead, producer.
Carole Hughes executive produced for Crossroads, with Carla Tate serving as producer. The :30 was shot on location in New York by DP Manuel Ruiz.
Editor/sound designer was Clayton Hemmert of Crew Cuts, New York. Michelle Bellass produced for Crew Cuts. Tim Masick of Company 3, New York, was the colorist. Peter Flack of Buzz, New York, was online editor. Buzz’s Michael Marinelli was the audio mixer.