talkmagic.co.uk

Purely by accident on Friday evening we tuned into 'Comedy Central'.
There was a long show by Jeff Dunham, American ventriloquist.
Unfortunately we only caught the last half hour.

Possibly the ugliest puppet--Peanuts--you have ever see with the liveliest personality you have ever seen.
Basically, a kind of Muppet Puppet in a sort of beige colour, with purple sides, green eyes and a huge red lips--at first sight you would say--Oh no!
Then as you watch him you just get hooked.
No mechanical means just sheer brilliant puppet manipulation by Jeff Dunham. The best I have ever seen.

Some of you might object to some of the script but the attack, pace, and flow of the gags are unsurpassed anywhere.
Jeff's lip control is excellent and the great secret of working with a vent Doll or any puppet is his to a great degree--they were two separate entities and personalities.

Then in the last 15 minutes Jeff pulled out a Mexican head, on a long stick. The banter between Peanuts and Jose, the head was reminiscent of the late great Senor Wences,
But Mr. Dunham had not finished... Peanuts had a puppet--a small vent figure--a replica of Jeff Dunham. The dialogue and vocal technique went beyond belief.
Then the Mexican was placed in a case and then Mr. Dunham produced a small version of Peanuts. The insults flowed and flowed between the 2 figures and the Vent with interspersions from the head in the case! --Unbelievable!!!!
The huge audience roared again and again and again with laughter and JD retired to a standing ovation--recalled for several bows.

I hope they repeat it so we can see the entire show and record it just to remind my wife and I of the greatest Vent of all time.

JD is touring this country--catch him live if you can

Allen Tipton

Allen, his first show (which is repeated endlessly on Comedy Central) is even funnier. Look out for Achmed the Dead Terrorist and Walter, a misogynist old man. Hilarious.

Thank youi Tony B--I shall keep my eyes open and scan the TV magazines avidly each week.
Then record.
It's just that we went on Sky last September and have never looked on Comedy Central till Friday night.

Allen Tipton

Dunham is one of those comedians that is only good the first time around. His act got really old and stupid when he tried to make a sketch comedy show with his puppets and have the actors pretend like they are seriously talking a real person.

I liked his first special though.

http://www.jeffdunham.com/ enough said "halapeenio on a steeek".

Got his first TV special DVD and the Christmas special too. Need to get this new one sometime. Very good performer.

One of his shows is on Netflix but I have not looked at it yet, thanks for the heads up Allen.