Wisconsin has some fun attracting tourists

June 26, 2012 at 1:30AM
Actor Robert Hays speaks at a press conference in Milwaukee on Monday, June, 25, 2012. Hays is starring in a new summer tourism commercial for the state, which is being directed by David Zucker. Zucker last directed Hays in the 1980 movie "Airplane!"
Actor Robert Hays speaks at a press conference in Milwaukee on Monday, June, 25, 2012. Hays is starring in a new summer tourism commercial for the state, which is being directed by David Zucker. Zucker last directed Hays in the 1980 movie "Airplane!" (Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

If you've seen the classic 1980 movie "Airplane!" you likely remember the character Ted Striker, an ex-fighter pilot who has a fear of flying. Actor Robert Hays, who played Striker, and the movie's director, David Zucker, are teaming up again for the first time to film a commercial for the state of Wisconsin.

The two joined Gov. Scott Walker on Monday to announce the new "Travel Wisconsin" ad. This is the second state tourism ad that Zucker, a Wisconsin native, has directed. In December 2011, he directed the department's winter TV spot shot at Milwaukee's Riverside Theater, featuring the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performing a concert and breaking into a snowball fight.

Zucker joked about Walker becoming the first governor to survive a recall attempt.

"I have many fond memories of working with the governor last time when I was in town. Mostly I recall, oh I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I shouldn't say that," he said to laughs, including from the governor. "I couldn't resist."

Filming of the TV spot takes place this week in the Eagle River area and features Hays and a cast of supporting players in hijinks on a Wisconsin lake. It will air next summer in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan and Iowa.

Second guessing by Michael Jackson's docOn the third anniversary Monday of Michael Jackson's death, Dr. Conrad Murray, who is serving four years in jail for his role in the singer's death, wishes he had testified during his trial, his appeals attorney said. Jackson's personal physician has spent seven months in the Los Angeles County jail since his involuntary manslaughter conviction last November. Murray never took the witness stand to proclaim his innocence. "He wishes he testified. He absolutely wishes he testified," said attorney Valerie Wass, who is handling the appeal of his conviction. Both of his trial attorneys were adamant that he not testify, she said.

A DAUGHTER'S LOVE: Jackson's daughter, Paris, 14, tweeted a tribute to her father. "RIP Michael Jackson. Dad, you will forever be in my heart. I love you." Three days ago, she tweeted a picture of her mother (Debbie Rowe) and father kissing with the caption, "mommy and daddy! <3" She recently told Oprah Winfrey that dealing with her father's death "never gets easier."

BABY MAKES THREE: Victoria's Secret model Lily Aldridge and Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill are the parents of a baby girl. The couple welcomed Dixie Pearl Followill last week at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Dixie Pearl weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces.

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