Speaking with … Jim Belushi

By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
June 6, 2003

Jim Belushi/Dan Aykroyd and the Have Love Will Travel Review
8 tonight
Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield
Tickets, $36
21-and-over show
(312) 559-1212Jim Belushi has a sure way of getting audience members on their feet when they attend tapings of his sitcom, “According to Jim,” which airs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays on WLS-Channel 7. He dances. “They see me dancing and think, ‘I can do better than that.’ And they always do.”

Currently touring the country with Dan Aykroyd–who, along with Belushi’s brother John, invented the infamous Blues Brothers–Belushi took a breather to talk about psychics, the Chicago blues scene and teaching his little girl to sing.

HERE’S WHAT ELSE BELUSHI HAD TO SAY:The tour: Danny calls us the World Renowned Dancing Refrigerators because of the suits we wear. One’s purple and one’s kind of avocado. We sing, we dance, we do a little of everything.

L.A. vs. Chicago: I’ve been [in California] for 17 years now and think it’s one of the greatest states in the union. It did take me about five years to acclimate to it, though.

L.A.’s bad rap: The people here are great. It’s the people who’ve moved from other places who cause the trouble.

Lakers vs. the Bulls: I’m Chicago all the way–Cubs, Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks. I wear my Blackhawks hat all year long.

“According to Jim” is according to …: Me in a roundabout way. I don’t write the show, though.

Your favorite line from the show: There was one episode where Courtney [Thorne-Smith] wants me to go to a Christmas party across the street. I said, “Why can’t we just have a party here with you and me?”

The truth about men: We generally have to be dragged from our homes.

How your real-life wife circumvents that: She generally promises me sexual favors.

Highlight of the day: Watching my 16-month old at his swimming lesson.

Favorite song to sing to your kids: I taught my little girl, who’s 3-1/2 years old, to sing Delaney [Bramlett’s] “Never Ending Song of Love.” She took to it right away.

What’s in your CD player: Junior Wells, Buddy Guy and some older [Eric] Clapton.

Last good movie you saw: “Gleason.” Brad [Garrett] did a great job in it.

Acting vs. singing: I would never put those things in conflict.

How you see yourself: I think of myself as a big guy from Chicago. Not “big” as in famous, but as in beefy.

What you’re better at than your wife: I’m a better dancer. She’s better at everything else, though. Thank God the kids have her looks.

Your Dick Butkus connection: I was at a Planet Hollywood opening in Aspen and a girl grabbed me to dance. I had so much fun. She was a cousin of his, I think. Anyhow, she set me free from my fear of dancing.

Your sister the psychic: I let her do a reading on me a couple times just for fun. She’s very good.

On what your late brother, John, would think of your career: I have no idea. He died 20 years ago. I would hope he’d be proud.

Favorite Chicago hotel: I always stay at the House of Blues Hotel and go to the Foundation Room and then check out some of the shows.

Favorite Chicago restaurant: So many. I always go to Smith & Wollensky and get a little bit of everything.

Favorite place to eat when you’re feeling “bad”: I’ll swing by Portillo’s and get a hot dog. Or I might get some beef and Italian sausage double dipped at Mr. Beef.

Favorite place to workout: I run by the old baseball diamond in Grant Park where we shot “About Last Night” and come back down the lake.

A Chicago must-do: I always have to go to Second City and see the improv.

Most memorable thing about Chicago: Everything, but the view of the skyline is spectacular.

The last word on Chicago: Home sweet home.