Hasta La Creative!

Arnold has some new ESPN Fantasy Football spots honoring no-name NFL players whose unexpectedly productive performances, as all fantasy owners know, are essential to a successful season. The ads stress the fantasy element, as only the die-hard fans can see and hear overachievers like Ryan Grant, Grey Jennings and Earnest Graham. The conference-room scenario with Graham is especially well cast; I like how the nerdy guy in the sweater says he feels “uncomfortable.” Given the heightened sensitivity shown by some ad viewers this week, I wonder if the spots will be misconstrued as mocking people who suffer from delusions. I’ll take a quick poll here in my cubicle. Tom Brady, Madonna and Batman say there’s no problem, but Mr. T says he “pities the fool” who thought up the campaign.

—Posted by David Gianatasio