Sinbad is the older, bigger version of that cut-up from grade school that you either adored or avoided: an irrepressible tease, hyperactive and loud, with a brash baritone laugh and a tireless eye for odd social moments.
Best known for his TV appearances, the 58-year-old comedian starred in the Cosby Show spinoff A Different World beginning in 1986. HBO aired four of his comedy specials between 1993 and 1998, and FOX aired his one-season project The Sinbad Show in 1993. He’s been off the airwaves for much of the time since then, but Northampton has the chance to catch his goofy, self-deprecating stand-up at the Calvin on March 28.
The Advocate interviewed Sinbad by phone last week.
Valley Advocate: I noticed that you haven’t given a name to your current tour. How come?
Sinbad: I’ve always just called it “the live show,” because it never stops. I’ve been on the road since 1983, even while I have other projects going on. I don’t think that’s unusual. The old-school comics, they might do TV and movies, but a lot of them would tell you that doing live shows is what really makes them comedians.
What are you joking about these days?
It changes every night. I’m highly improv. Whatever’s happening in my life, I just talk about what I’m seeing. I’ve always done it that way. The theme is “life,” and it’s changed as I’ve gotten older. I don’t play at hating young people, though.
But times are changing, right?
Oh, yeah. With social media, people want to share everything now. Kids become Instagram stars and think they’re the bomb. I mean, if we’d had it growing up, we would have done the same thing. So, I’m just glad we didn’t have it.
Do you use technology much?
I’ve been a tech geek all my life. The difference is that when I was a kid, you didn’t have to pay attention to technology all the time. Now I see people with their phones out before shows. They’re taking photos of an empty stage. Like, really?
And everyone wants to go viral. People on YouTube want to have that moment where they suddenly get 3 million views. But why get seen just to be seen? Learn to sing or something!
You play music, right?
I’ve got my guitar with me, and I play trombone. I like doing funk, R&B, blues covers. I’m trying to write an album for the first time. The Northampton show will be straight stand-up, but sometimes I bring a band for my live shows, and I do comedy on guitar or on the horn. It’s hard to explain.
You mix comedy with brass instruments?
Dude, it works.
Do cities play in unique ways? How do your audiences differ from each other?
You know, wherever I am, that’s where I am. I take each city for what it is, I enjoy it, and I never complain about wanting to go home. I’m really excited about Northampton — it’ll be my first visit.
You’ve done everything from kids movies to variety shows. A lot of that was in the 90s. Do people have the right idea about you when they come to see a show?
Man, people make assumptions. That’s fine. I make assumptions all the time about entertainers I haven’t seen. But that’s the good thing about coming out to see an act you haven’t seen before. It can surprise you.
When you’re developing material, is everything on the table? Can you make a joke out of anything?
I think so. It’s hard to explain how a show comes together. I don’t script it as much as some do. I see images, I hear voices, and I play into it all. It must have to do with my ADHD. All comedians are a little hyper in the brain. You have to see differently, then channel it. It’s where your power comes from, like a superhero. Like my man from the X-Men — he was burning people with his eyes until he got the right sunglasses.
You’re like Cyclops?
Yeah. My life is weird.
Being on the road, though — it suits you.
It’s never the same day to day. But I don’t feel drained. It’s like playing ball or making music. It’s a high. You’ve just got to go into each night expecting the unexpected.•
Contact Hunter Styles at hstyles@valleyadvocate.com
Tickets to see Sinbad at the Calvin Theatre in Northampton on Saturday, March 28 at 8 p.m. are $45, $35, and $25 at Northampton Box Office, 76 Main Street, (413) 586-8686 and online at IHEG.com.
