The Sinbad Show

The Sinbad Show is an American television sitcom starring comedian David "Sinbad" Adkins that premiered on September 16, 1993, on Fox. The show's main plot is about a bachelor taking in two orphaned children. Chuck Brown performed this sitcom's theme music. It was cancelled on April 21, 1994, with two episodes left unaired.[1]

The Sinbad Show
GenreSitcom
Created by
  • Gary Murphy
  • Larry Strawther
  • Sinbad
Developed by
Starring
Theme music composerChuck Brown
Opening theme"Hah Man"
ComposerKurt Farquhar
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes26 (2 unaired)
Production
Executive producers
  • Ralph Farquhar
  • Michael Jacobs
  • Gary Murphy
  • Marc Sotkin
  • Larry Strawther
  • Michael J. Weithorn
ProducerMichael Petok
Production companies
Release
Original networkFox
Original releaseSeptember 16, 1993 (1993-09-16) –
April 21, 1994 (1994-04-21)

Overview

The series follows the life of David Bryan (Sinbad), a carefree bachelor, who becomes a single parent when he adopts two orphaned children, Zana (Erin Davis) and L.J. Beckley (Willie Ray Norwood, Jr.), who face several issues which they work through together.

The show follows David as he guides L.J. and Zana in their new lives, including counselling L.J. on dealing with school, friendships, girls, and being a teenager and helping Zana learn how to function in everyday life. Meanwhile, Clarence shares his antics and David's parents help him deal with raising kids.

Cast and characters

Main
  • Sinbad as David Bryan: Dave is the father of the family. His friends often refer to him as "Red," he is known for acting out vivid scenes for Zana and hitting on attractive women. He designs video games.
  • Willie Ray Norwood, Jr. as L.J. Beckley: L.J. is the older brother of Zana. He is 12 years old but turns 13 during the show. He is one of the more sarcastic characters on the show. He often explains he can look after himself but wants Zana to be safe. He tries to control what Dave does for Zana. Willie Ray Norwood, Jr could do better in school, and he gets tutored by Ms Page. He is often very moody and disrespectful towards David and other authoritative figures.
  • Erin Davis as Zana Beckley: Zana is six years old and has greatly depended on L.J. in the past. She loves David very much but is still insecure about moving away from him due to her experiences with various foster homes.
  • T. K. Carter as Clarence Hall: Clarence works at the Big and Tall store and has been friends with David since grade school. He is often teased about his difficulties with women, although he remains boastful about his exploits. He is known for his cluelessness. He was the former roommate of David, but his lease was voided due to non-payment, allowing Sinbad to make room for the kids. Despite his eviction, Clarence gained a new lease in an adjoining residence and frequently visited David.

Recurring

Guest stars
  • Patrice Chanel as Claudette (2 episodes)
  • Trina McGee as Faith (2 episodes)
  • Michael Ralph as Leon (2 episodes)
  • Peter Brost as Young Leon
  • Salma Hayek as Gloria Contreras (3 episodes)

Cancellation

The Sinbad Show was cancelled after its first season, and aired its last episode on April 21, 1994. It aired at 8:30 p.m., following The Simpsons, Thursday nights on Fox. The series was one of several shows featuring predominantly black casts that were cancelled by Fox around the same time (others included Roc, South Central and In Living Color).[2] Activist Jesse Jackson protested the cancellations and called for a boycott of the network for their "institutional racism".[3] Fox maintained that the series were low rated and the decision to cancel was not racially motivated.[4]

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Pilot"David TrainerStory by : Gary Murphy & Larry Strawther & Sinbad
Teleplay by : Gary Murphy & Larry Strawther & Michael Jacobs & David A. Caplan & Brian Lapan		September 16, 1993 (1993-09-16)
David Bryan, a footloose and carefree bachelor, meets two orphaned children and learns the authorities will have to split them up unless someone adopts them both.
2"The Toothfairy Has Landed"Jim DrakeGary Apple & Michael CarringtonSeptember 23, 1993 (1993-09-23)
L.J. objects to David telling Zana about the Tooth Fairy when she loses her milk teeth.
3"The Par-tay"Robert BerlingerSharon D. JohnsonSeptember 30, 1993 (1993-09-30)
David takes a domestic engineering course and believes that the instructor has fallen for him.
4"Petty Larceny"Rob SchillerMichael J. Weithorn & Ralph FarquharOctober 7, 1993 (1993-10-07)
David believes that L.J. may be stealing from him until he catches Zana stealing in the mall and realises that L.J. is lying to protect his sister.
5"My Daughter's Keeper"Debbie AllenMichael Carrington & Gary AppleOctober 14, 1993 (1993-10-14)
Zana joins a club and learns that only light-skinned blacks are accepted.
6"Strictly Business"Rob SchillerRalph Farquhar & Michael J. WeithornOctober 21, 1993 (1993-10-21)
Since L.J. has not been doing his homework assignments, he is not allowed to go to Disneyland with David's parents.
7"David's Van"Debbie AllenMike LangworthyNovember 4, 1993 (1993-11-04)
David has trouble parting with his beloved car in order to buy another.
8"I Coulda Been the Man"Debbie AllenCalvin Brown, Jr.November 11, 1993 (1993-11-11)
David friend is a successful basketball player and he learns he could have had the same opportunity.
9"Shades of Acceptance"Neema BarnetteDaniel PalladinoNovember 18, 1993 (1993-11-18)
David falls for a past love.
10"It's My Party, I'll Cry If I Want To"Debbie AllenCalvin Brown, Jr.December 9, 1993 (1993-12-09)
When David is unable to get a TV character to come to Zana's party because of the cost, he creates one.
11"Breaking the Pattern"Chuck VinsonSharon D. JohnsonDecember 16, 1993 (1993-12-16)
L.J. invites his girlfriend over when no one is home.
12"Keep the Faith"Debbie AllenGary Apple & Michael CarringtonJanuary 6, 1994 (1994-01-06)
L.J. doesn't believe in God.
13"The Dog Episode"Debbie AllenOrlando Jones & Mike LangworthyJanuary 13, 1994 (1994-01-13)
Zana wants to keep a dog after he follows her home.
14"David Goes Skiing"Debbie AllenOrlando JonesJanuary 27, 1994 (1994-01-27)
David has a hard time enjoying his annual ski vacation when the kids keep calling him at the lodge.
15"The Mr. Science Show"Chuck VinsonMarc SotkinFebruary 3, 1994 (1994-02-03)
David takes a job on a kids TV show, much to L.J.'s objection.
16"Black History Month"Chuck VinsonTom WhedonFebruary 10, 1994 (1994-02-10)
L.J. can't decide who to write his Black History Month essay on, and Zana volunteers to play Rosa Parks.
17"The Telethon"Chuck VinsonUnknownMarch 3, 1994 (1994-03-03)
David convinces his father to coach a basketball team after he retires.
18"Neighborhood Watch"Chuck VinsonOrlando Jones & Mike LangworthyMarch 10, 1994 (1994-03-10)
David starts a neighborhood watch.
19"Love Lessons"Chuck VinsonMichael Carrington & Gary AppleMarch 17, 1994 (1994-03-17)
L.J. gets a bad grade in a black history class, and is tutored by his favorite teacher.
20"Can We Talk?"Chuck VinsonSharon D. JohnsonMarch 22, 1994 (1994-03-22)
David and Clarence go on a talk show.
21"The Family Reunion"Chuck VinsonArnie KogenMarch 31, 1994 (1994-03-31)
L.J. and Zana meet David's family.
22"Adoption: Part 1"Chuck VinsonMike LangworthyApril 7, 1994 (1994-04-07)
L.J. and Zana's uncle want them to live with him.
23"Adoption: Part 2"Chuck VinsonOrlando JonesApril 14, 1994 (1994-04-14)
L.J. and Zana's uncle want them to live with him.
24"Girls Unda Hoodz"Howard RitterStory by : Gary Apple & Mike Langworthy
Teleplay by : Orlando Jones & Arnie Kogen		April 21, 1994 (1994-04-21)
Zana gets her hair done and Clarence teaches L.J. how cool men drive.

Syndication

The show aired in syndication on The Family Channel Monday to Thursday at 9:30 p.m. and weekend mornings at 11:30 a.m.. It also aired on Disney Channel for a short time during the mid-1990s.

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Recipient Result
1994Young Artist AwardsBest Actor Under Ten in a Television Series or ShowErin DavisNominated
1995Nickelodeon Kids' Choice AwardsFavorite Television ActorSinbadNominated

References
  1. Cotter, Bill (1997). The Wonderful World of Disney Television. Hyperion Books. pp. 441–444. ISBN 0-7868-6359-5.
  2. Zook, Kristal Brent (1999). Color by Fox: The Fox Network and the Revolution in Black Television. Oxford University Press US. pp. 11. ISBN 0-19-510612-1.
  3. Rosenberg, Howard (1994-10-19). "Did Jackson Save FOX Series With Boycott Threat?". community.seattletimes.nwsource.com. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
  4. Dines, Gail; McMahon Humez, Jean (2002). Gender, Race, and Class in Media. SAGE. pp. 590. ISBN 0-7619-2261-X.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.