Fake Fans

This stunning news item came from the Post today: the fans featured in a series of commercials promoting the Knicks are actually actors. The ads, which feature seemingly true-life diehards talking about their devotion to the team while moments of past greatness flash behind them (you know, because moments of current greatness are hard to find), are fake.

Now this is nothing new in TV advertising. We've all seen thousands of commercials with actors talking to the camera as if they were real consumers. But this is a little too much. First, it shows us that the Knicks either didn't want to find real fans or just couldn't find any willing to show profess their faith so publicly.

The Knicks say that the actors are also Knicks fans. Perhaps. But why this extra bit of duplicity? Would it be so hard to produce a commercial that in some way doesn't reek of bullshit?

Also, graphic design student/Knicks fan Ivan Cash has gotten another mention in the big papers after the Daily News printed a rundown of vendors who have produced merchandise relating to the Knicks' woes. According to the article, Cash has sold 125 shirts outside MSG and another 35 online. Make that 36. I plan on purchasing one of those "Hate the Coach" beauties sometime today.

The Daily News article also mentioned a decal showing Isiah's name surrounded by flames and a very nice "Fire Isiah" hat that another fan is selling online at this site. Incidentally, here's a site I found featuring an interview with Cash.