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King of Queens Star Patton Oswalt on His Favorite Trip and Being the New Bob Saget

Dec. 18, 2016
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3 min read
Comedian Patton Oswalt
King of Queens Star Patton Oswalt on His Favorite Trip and Being the New Bob Saget
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It’s been a very difficult year for Patton Oswalt — the comic-actor’s wife, Michelle McNamara passed away in April and he’s raising their seven-year-old daughter alone. Here, Oswalt, who co-starred in “The King of Queens” and is the narrator of “The Goldbergs,” reminisces about his favorite vacation and why it was important to move up alongside funny friends on the LA comedy scene.

What’s the best trip you’ve ever taken?

I went to Prague a few years ago. It was at the beginning of the millennium. I wasn’t married. It was before I became a father. I had no schedule. It was so nice. That seems like an eternity ago. I love being a father. I’m all about spending time with my daughter, but I can’t help but look back at that time in Prague and think about how great it was.

What’s the best trip you’ve taken recently?

I went back home with my daughter for Thanksgiving in Virginia. It was good to see everybody. We had a great time. It was something I definitely needed.

Any travel horror stories?

I try to blank those out. When you travel as much as I do, you’re going to have some bad experiences. The delays on trips are terrible. Having to make connections is no fun.

What’s your favorite weekend getaway?

I like being close to home. I have my daughter. The great thing about being in Los Angeles is that there is so much to do around here. It’s nice to have the beach nearby.

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How are you keeping it together?

By taking one step at a time. We have to keep going. I’m picking up the pieces and doing what I love, which is stand-up. Everything I do pays the bills so I can do comedy.

So, you’re basically the new Bob Saget since you’re providing the narration for “The Goldbergs.”

It's fine being the new Bob Saget (who narrated the sitcom, "How I Met Your Mother"). 'The Goldbergs' is a very special show. The scripts are amazing and I just love the little scenes. He (creator Adam Goldberg) makes it feel very universal and accessible. I’m a big fan of the cast with Jeff Garlin and Wendy McLendon-Covey. It's a classic comedy.

You cut your comedic teeth with an amazing group of comedians in Los Angeles. How competitive was it and how much did that help you in terms of raising your personal bar?

We’re all friends. The great thing about them is that they are so funny. They inspired me to work harder because I was never the funniest guy in my peer group. The good thing about that is that I never stagnated. Being the funniest guy equals death. Fortunately, I’m not the funniest, but I work hard to be as funny as I can be.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.