By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Media Services
May 10, 2011
On his latest project “Sinbad: It’s Just Family,” the comedian takes a stab at reality television. The 54-year-old actor let the WE tv cameras into his home to tape the reality of life in his household. The stars of the show also include his wife Meredith Fuller (whom he divorced and remarried) and their two grown children. Born in Benton Harbor, Mich., and currently a resident of Los Angeles, Sinbad (whose real name is David Adkins) says he isn’t a picky traveler. “Honestly, I love going anywhere,” he says. “I can’t remember a place where I didn’t enjoy at least some aspects of it. I’m not a huge planner. I like to just go and see what turns up. That makes a vacation a real adventure.”
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. I went to Europe with my family and had a great time. But one of my most fun trips was taking a houseboat around California. Redding is so beautiful. It was relaxing and really fun — that’s my favorite type of vacation.
Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A. I usually work on weekends, but during some free time, it’s always nice to travel around California and go to the Bay Area or San Diego. I love the Midwest, too, and enjoy visiting Chicago and Detroit. Spending a few days in New York, Philly or Miami is also a lot of fun.
Q. What city has the best comedy clubs?
A. Birmingham, Ala. For some strange reason, I always have the most wonderful time there. The fans are wonderful and have been really supportive of me, even before anyone knew who I was. I have never had a bad audience in Birmingham. They get me.
Q. You’re a huge music fan. What are some of your favorite jazz clubs?
A. Yoshi’s Jazz Club and Japanese Restaurant in Oakland, Jazz Alley in Seattle and the Birdland Jazz Club in New York City.
Q. What are your favorite hotels?
A. I love the W Hotel chain. I’ve always loved the London Hotel in New York. It used to be the RIHGA Royal Hotel and the people who hung out there were always so cool. Everything you wanted to find in New York was there. And it’s fairly economical, as much as a New York hotel can be anyhow.
Q. What are your favorite restaurants?
A. Megu, this sushi place in New York City; Dooky Chase in New Orleans; Ben’s Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. My electronics! I am a self-proclaimed “tech freak” who loves anything and everything technology-related. I need my iPod, iPhone, Mac Pro, extension cords, headphones, extra batteries, guitar, guitar bag and two or three pairs of underwear in my carry-on. I don’t actually care about anything but the clean underwear. If you have those, you can make a trip work.
Q. What are your favorite cities?
A. Honestly? I’m like, “Drop me off anywhere!” I can make it work.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. I’ve never been to China. I’d also like to go to Sweden and Ireland.
Q. Do you like to travel with a big posse these days?
A. I’m kind of a loner so I like to travel solo. I get everything done alone! I can go see whatever I want and can go as fast or slow as I want to without worrying that someone is tired or bored.
Q. Where have you been to that needs a repeat visit or two?
A. I would love to go to Amsterdam to check out the North Sea Jazz Festival and would also love to check out the Montreal Jazz Fest. I’m big into music and love to check out different music festivals all over. Also, I would love to go back to Japan, specifically Tokyo. I love walking down the streets of Tokyo taking in all the sights and people-watching.
© 2011 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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