Okay, first of all we need to address the elephant in the room: seeing John Travolta bald singing in the style of Grease is a wake-up moment for those of us who grew up with the film.
But the T-Mobile Super Bowl Commercial “New Year. New Neighbor.” ad, which spoofs “Summer Lovin'” from the iconic musical, has proven to be quite popular. Maybe it’s Travolta. Or maybe its Zach Braff or Donald Faison.
“The one-minute, Panay Films-produced ad opens with Travolta feeling frustrated over installing home Internet as the opening notes of “Summer Nights” begin to play,” explains Billboard. “That’s when Faison and Braff jump in to help their neighbor out. “Try T-Mobile, it sets up so fast/ It’s like WiFi that runs on 5G/ Home internet from T-Mobile?/ Wait ’til you see!” the trio sings, switching up the lyrics to the iconic song.
Seems like the new kids knew who the real star was, too.
“It was such an honor to sing and dance with John,” Braff told Billboard. “Donald and I are both fans of musical theater, so getting the opportunity to perform ‘Summer Nights’ with Danny Zuko himself was beyond our wildest fantasies. John could not have been more kind and humble. Donald and I both took turns peppering him with questions about his many beloved roles and he was so generous with his funny anecdotes. Donald had MANY Face/Off questions. I got to ask all about the dance sequence in Pulp Fiction. We had so much fun.”
Billboard was fascinated enough wit the piece of pop culture that they even commissioned a behind the scenes look at Braff and Faison working on their parts.
Seems YouTube viewers liked it, too.
And if you are truly old-school you might only recognize Travolta from the commercial, but the other two are stars in their own right. So who are Zach Braff and Donald Faison.
Zach Braff is an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter. He was born on April 6, 1975, in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Braff is best known for his role as J.D. (John Dorian) on the television series “Scrubs,” which aired from 2001 to 2010. His portrayal of the quirky and endearing doctor earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan following.
In addition to his acting career, Zach Braff has also directed and produced films. He gained recognition as a filmmaker for his 2004 directorial debut, “Garden State,” in which he also starred. The film, which Braff wrote and directed, received positive reviews and earned him numerous awards, including the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature.
Braff has continued to work in both film and television, appearing in projects such as “The Last Kiss,” “The Ex,” “Oz the Great and Powerful,” and “Wish I Was Here.” He has also directed and produced other films, including “Wish I Was Here” and “Going in Style.
Donald Faison is an American actor, comedian, and voice artist. He was born on June 22, 1974, in New York City, New York, United States. Faison is widely recognized for his role as Christopher Turk on the television series “Scrubs,” which aired from 2001 to 2010. His portrayal of Turk, a talented and charismatic surgeon, garnered him critical acclaim and a large fan base.
Faison’s acting career extends beyond “Scrubs.” He has appeared in numerous films and television shows, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Some of his notable film credits include “Clueless,” where he played the role of Murray, “Remember the Titans,” “Waiting to Exhale,” and “Kick-Ass 2.” In addition, Faison has made guest appearances on various TV shows, including “Felicity” and “Robot Chicken,” among others.
Aside from his on-screen work, Donald Faison has also lent his voice to animated projects. He has provided voice-over work for characters in animated shows like “Robot Chicken,” “American Dad!,” and “Star Wars Resistance.”