Multiple Personality Disorder: Jeff Dunham the Ventriloquist
“I feel with comedy, you do have to push the envelope enough to offend a handful of people in the crowd.” – Jeff Dunham
Not a normal comedian to say the least. Multiple voices, many different personalities, and arguing with himself, Jeff Dunham is a comedian who does not only put on a show that is entertaining for his audience, but also one that none other performs. Dunham is a master of ventriloquism, which is defined as making a voice that seems to come from a different source other that the speakers vocal chords. To this ventriloquist act, Dunham adds many different puppets in which he has developed different personalities and voices. In total, he has created nine different characters that he shares the stage with. Most often it’s Dunham and one of the puppets going one-on-one, but at times multiple puppets will be in on a group discussion taking traditional ventriloquism to a new level. Each of these characters possesses certain traits that they hold on to throughout each show. Yet there is one general characteristic that these characters share, according to Time Magazine, “politically incorrect, gratuitously insulting, and ill tempered.” One of the most common elements of Jeff Dunham’s comedy is how his main source of humor comes from making fun of himself through the puppets. Four of his most popular acts include Peanut, Walter, Bubba J, and Achmed the Dead Terrorist.
Figured like a monkey, with purple skin, white fur, a tuft of green hair, massive lips, and only one tennis shoe on his left foot, Peanut is a character that represents Dunham’s hyperactive, trash-talking appeal. With the duo of Jeff Dunham and Peanut, there is generally argument rather than conversation because of Peanut’s penchant for finding flaws in every action and statement Dunham makes. Peanut enjoys explaining his desire to be a solo act so he wouldn’t have to deal with Dunham, even though Peanut verbally recognizes himself as a puppet used by a ventriloquist. In one common routine that highlights Dunham’s remarkable capability, he and Peanut are in an argument and both try to talk simultaneously; it is Peanut who confronts Dunham claiming that it is impossible for them to talk at the same time. One of the most interesting traits of this character is that Peanut does not follow a specific stereotype like the rest of Dunham’s characters.
A Jeff Dunham character that does follow a stereotype is Walter. Walter is an old man; hence he follows the notion of old men being extremely grumpy and negative. This character is a Vietnam vet that finds the negative in everything said and done by Dunham and his audience. Walter is dressed nicely, in a sweater with a bowtie, kakis, and dress shoes. He is also one who is known to get the audience more involved by targeting members in the front rows and mocking them. While sharing the stage, Dunham enjoys asking Walter questions about his personal life, including Walter’s wife whom he has been married to for 46 years. When asked about his happiest moments Walter’s reply is often “47 years ago.” The idea of bad marriage seems to be derived from Dunham’s May 2010 divorce from his wife. The successful portrayal of the “old man” stereotype is what makes Walter’s character one Jeff Dunham’s most popular show segments.
Another character that follows a stereotype is Bubba J. Cross eyed, buck teeth, extra small shirt that shows his stomach hanging out, what else would Bubba J be other that the typical white trash, trailer park man. Bubba J is known for his obsession for beer and NASCAR racing. All of the subject matter used in Bubba J segments is related to being drunk, drinking in general, or how NASCAR is the perfect sport for “uneducated hicks” to follow. Bubba’s stupidity is the main source of the humor that Dunham presents. Bubba J is known for quick one line responses such as when asked, “How do you know when you have had too much to drink?” Bubba J commonly replies with “when I run out.” Another typical conversation Dunham and Bubba have is about Bubba’s wife and how the two met. Bubba J claims he met his wife at a state fair as part of a family reunion, and that it was love at first sight when he saw her leaning up against the Ferris wheel, tilting it over. Dunham’s use of Bubba J allows the comedian to tap into the large following Jeff Foxworthy has gained with his popular “you’re a redneck” act.
Finally, there is Achmed the Dead Terrorist, the stereotype of Middle East extremists. Achmed is a skeletal corpse of a suicide bomber. He has an over-the-top Middle Eastern accent and is identified most commonly with his famous punch line “Silence! I kill you!” Usually this punch line is directed toward the audience when they laugh at a joke or a humorous situation throughout the segment. Achmed also often explains how he works for Osama Bin Laden. Yet he does question the concept of being Muslim because printed on his butt it states “Made in China.” Achmed’s main purpose is to satirize the issue of terrorism. Since the horrible events of 9/11 when terrorism came to America, people have a far greater fear of terrorism. Dunham, like other great comics, takes the subject head on through Achmed, now one of Dunham’s most popular characters.
With all of the characters that Dunham portrays, he is able to express many different modern issues in a believable way. Though the characters may look a little over the top, the personalities that Dunham has affiliated with them, has made him the success he is today. For instance, with just one generic character, Dunham would be unable to expose the modern issues and stereotypes that he regularly pokes fun at throughout his shows. Also, the audience is glued to his performance with multiple acts because with all of the characters, the audience is basically watching many smaller performances, rather than one long monotonous show. The concept of multiple personalities that Dunham brings to the table has shot his success way above any ventriloquist in the past.
Dunham’s spoof of modern issues as well as his own personal issues through these puppets presents a much different type of comedy than other comedians. His weird, yet hysterical ways have proven to be extremely successful. Time Magazine claimed Dunham to be the most popular comedian in the United States, and Forbes named him to the list of the “100 most powerful entertainers,” now two years in a row. Presenting such a variety of acts, incorporating all 9 different characters/side-personalities Dunham has formed, keeps the audience tuned in at all times. As many have claimed, Dunham has been able to revive ventriloquism and display the art of his act in an almost surreal yet humorous way. He has found a way to amuse the people while arguing with his other multiple personalities. Even though he must “push the envelope enough in order to offend a handful of people in the crowd,” he is able to do so in a way that is fitting to modern day society but certainly not a normal way, to say the least.
Works Cited
“Jeff Dunham Biography, Bio, Tour Dates | Comedy Centrals Jokes.com.” Stand Up Comedians and Standup Videos | Comedy Centrals Jokes.com. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://comedians.jokes.com/jeff-dunham>.
“Jeff Dunham, Puppet Master – TIME.” Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews – TIME.com. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1901490,00.html>.
“Jeff Dunham Talks Comedy, New TV Special – Boston.com.” Boston.com – Boston, MA News, Breaking News, Sports, Video. Web. 11 Oct. 2011. <http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/09/23/jeff_dunham_talks_comedy_new_tv_special/>.
YouTube – Broadcast Yourself. Web. 11 Oct. 2011. <http://youtube.com>.
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