Jeff Dunham Tickets

Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham is definitely someone you ought to see live. Dunham has had a lengthy career.

Dunham’s Comedy Central special attracted 8.3 million viewers—5.5 million watched its premiere and then another 2.8 million tuned in for a repeat that aired later that night.  His Controlled Chaos DVD/Blue-Ray has already sold more than 100,000 copies. 

Dunham’s television special was the most watched cable show of the evening (Sunday).  It beat out such lofty programs as “Boardwalk Empire” and “Breaking Bad.”  The comedian also outdrew a NASCAR race—an event that has a similar demographic as a Dunham comedy special.

You should get your Jeff Dunham tickets as soon as you can.  The funny man is one of the most popular and most successful comics working today.  He’s been the world’s top grossing live comedian for the past two years.

Yet, for all his achievements Dunham is reviled by critics and comedy snobs.  Obviously, ventriloquism is shunned by the comedy intelligentsia.  Furthermore, Dunham has the great misfortune of “only” being funny; he’s not edgy, cerebral, or avant-garde.  For bombastic critics and pretentious stand-up fans, producing guffaws is not enough you also have to be a comedy pioneer.  Of course, those naysayers fail to realize that Dunham has done more for ventriloquism than any other artist besides Edgar Bergen.

Fans attending a Jeff Dunham show shouldn’t expect Monty Python-esque comedy or Steven Wright-style jokes.  What they should expect is a side ache… from laughing so hard.  Dunham and his cast of colorful dummies put on a high energy show where the laughter never stops. 

We’re not the only ones who praise Dunham’s act.  In writing for the Chicago Live Music Examiner, Roger Reiss said Dunham hits audiences with one joke after another.  Adam Porter of KOWB 1290 wrote on the Wyoming radio station’s Web site that he’s seen Dunham perform many times over the years and has never been disappointed.

Some have accused Dunham’s comedy of only being funny because it comes from the mouths of puppets, so to speak.  Critics claim that the lines Dunham throws to his dummies wouldn’t have the same impact if they came from an actual person.

Jeff Dunham’s Characters

Achmed the Dead Terrorist
The bit in which Dunham introduced Achmed the Dead Terrorist is one of the most watched YouTube videos of all-time.  Needless to say, Achmed is one of Dunham’s most popular characters of all-time.  The inept (former) terrorist delights fans with his catch phrase “Silence! I kill you!”  When Dunham remarks on Achmed’s skeleton frame, the terrorist responds by saying it’s only a flesh wound. 

Achmed has a son named Achmed Junior or A.J.  The apparently gay son was introduced by Dunham in 2010.  A.J.’s second appearance came during the Controlled Chaos Comedy Central special. 

Bubba J
Bubba J is Dunham’s good ol’ boy character.  The white trash red neck from the  Deep South likes beer and NASCAR.  Bubba is one trailer short of a full trailer park and his t-shirts never cover his belly button.  Mr. J met the future Mrs. J at a family union.

Diane
Dunham has used Diane a few times in his standup act but she’s better known as the dummy he wielded in the 2010 film Dinner For Schmucks. 

Jose Jalapeno On A Stick
Jose Jalapeno on a Stick snuck into the United States from Mexico.  He didn’t have to go to such extremes as both his parents are American—he was born while they were vacationing in Mexico.  Jose wears a sombrero and sports a thick, black mustache.  He’s also the first puppet Dunham ever constructed. 

Melvin The Superhero Guy
Although he’s called a superhero, Melvin’s only real power is his x-ray vision.  He uses it to look at women.  When Jeff asked Melvin how far he can fly, Melvin replied “how far can you throw me?”  Melvin likes to make fun of other superheroes.  He has cast dispersions on the relationship between Batman and Robin, he called Superman a show off, and accused Aquaman of having the same powers as SpongeBob SquarePants. 

Peanut
Peaunt is one of Dunham’s most unique characters.  For one, he looks more like a Muppet than a creation from Dunham’s warped imagination.  Peanut is a “woozle” with purple skin, white fur, and a tuff of green hair on the top of his head.  Second, he’s not a take on a stereotype.  According to Dunham’s lore, Peanut is from an island in Micronesia and the two met one another in Florida.  Peanut is bright, happy, and ebullient.  He also enjoys making fun of Jeff and Jose.

Peanut recently introduced his very own ventriloquist dummy named “Little Jeff.”  This dummy looks a lot like Jeff Dunham but doesn’t sound a thing like him.

Sweet Daddy Dee
Sweet Daddy Dee is a pimp or “Player in the Management Profession.”  He was originally introduced as Dunham’s manager but he often refers to the comedian as a “ho” or even “dumb ho.”

Walter
In a word, Walter is a curmudgeon.  He’s retired, sarcastic, and perpetually grumpy.  At this point in his life, Walter doesn’t care who he offends or angers.  The scowling retiree is a Vietnam veteran, a husband of nearly 50 years, and a former welder. 
Although Dunham now uses the services of a professional production company, he built Walter himself.

Ventriloquism
Ventriloquism is often referred to as “throwing one’s voice” but that’s obviously a misnomer.  The ventriloquist doesn’t “throw” his or her voice anywhere.  Instead, they manipulate the way the voice is perceived.  Instead of the speaker moving his or her lips, the ventriloquist is able to produce sounds and speech without (or by slightly) moving their lips.