By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Media Services
September 13, 2011
Born in Rockledge, Fla., Scott Thompson did his first stand-up routine while still a freshman in college. These days, the redheaded comic goes by the moniker Carrot Top. The 46-year-old comedian and actor has a multi-year deal with the Luxor Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, where — this fall — he will perform his 1,500th show. “I live in Las Vegas where we’ve got gambling, smoking and prostitution,” jokes Carrot Top. “Bring the kids!” Read more about the entertainer at www.carrottop.com.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. I have a home in Orlando. That’s kind of my default “get away” city. I get about 10 weeks a year off from my gig at the Luxor, so that’s where you’ll mostly find me.
Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A. I like to go up to Mount Charleston (in Nevada) or up to Big Bear (in California) to get some snow fun. I love to snowboard.
Q. What are your favorite hotels?
A. When I’m in Los Angeles, I always stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel. It’s so historic and you never know who you’re going to run into there. When I’m in New York I love to stay at The London Hotel. They really take care of you there and it’s within walking distance of just about everything.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A. In no particular order I’d have to say Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando and Cabo San Lucas. I just recently visited the last one and it was amazing.
Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A. That’s tough to say because nothing really reminds you of Las Vegas. Los Angeles is the closest because of weather, but there is nothing in the world like Las Vegas.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. It would be to Europe, just to travel all over and see everything historic that there is to see. Paris, Rome and London would be must-see destinations.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. I read all the time so I have to have a few good books with me. I’ve been thinking about getting an e-book reader but there’s something about holding a book. Other than that I can’t ever decide what to wear so it’s always too many clothing options. Those and hair products alone fill up about three oversized luggage pieces.
Q. What are your favorite restaurants?
A. In Vegas it’s definitely Rick Moonen’s RM Seafood and Rao’s Restaurant. In Los Angeles, I’d have to say it is Nobu. New York it is impossible to pick one place. Even all the pizza places are amazing.
Q. What do you enjoy doing on the road?
A. Believe it or not I like to just walk around and experience the city that I’m in. I love to shop, especially in retro stores. I have about a million pairs of old school sports shoes like Adidas so that’s probably my biggest vice.
Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A. Other than finding a restaurant or two that’s about it. I love to explore. That’s probably my favorite thing to do is just get out in the streets and find cool things on my own.
Q. What is your best vacation memory?
A. The most recent one to Cabo San Lucas. It was so peaceful just to lounge around for a few days. The weather is perfect there. It was my first time there so I was so pleased with the result. I will definitely go back there the next time I have a chance.
© 2011 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
I wonder if he ever looks in the mirror and says, “Hey! What the he11 did you do to your face???”