JOPLIN, Mo. —
A number of things could be associated with ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, the voice and hands behind characters such as Peanut, Walter and Achmed the Dead Terrorist.
Dunham has been called everything from politically incorrect to the artist who redefined ventriloquism.
People think of the catchphrases: “Silence! I kill you!”
“On a stick.”
“NneeeeeeeeeYOWWww...”
People don’t necessarily associate Dunham with longevity.
But he’s one of entertainment’s longer-running comedic performers, who earned a coveted visit to Johnny Carson’s couch on “The Tonight Show.”
Dunham will perform tonight at Downstream Casino, doing the same thing he’s done since 1976 as a 14-year-old.
In 1988, he moved to Los Angeles from his home state of Texas and began a career road that, like many roads in Texas, stretched on for miles without a lot of scenery.
After an initial, disappointing cancellation, he finally achieved a dream of landing a spot on “The Tonight Show,” and received Carson’s blessing with the couch visit ÑÊa well-known sign of his approval.
That and other appearances, including one with Reba McIntire and on “Late Night with David Letterman,” helped line up a number of live performances.
He also landed an appearance on Comedy Central with a half-hour special in 2003.
But nothing took off until 2006.
The comedy network wasn’t initially impressed with Dunham in 2003. Backed with his own money and resources, he produced “Arguing with Myself” in 2006. The network picked it up, and fans went crazy, according to his biography.
Since then, he has produced three more stand-up specials and a sketch comedy series. The fourth stand-up special, which aired about a year ago, snared 5.5 million viewers, ranking it as the network’s third most watched program in its history.
His newest special, the Halloween-themed “Minding the Monsters,” will debut on Sunday, Oct. 7.
Lifestyles
Related Photos
-
Jeff Dunham
Discussion
Voices in his head: Jeff Dunham brings characters to Downstream
- Lifestyles
-
-
Host with the most: Jerry Springer to host live version of legendary game show
The talk-show host will star in "The Price is Right Live" starting this week at Welk Resort in Branson. The show is a stage adaptation of the classic game show and features all of the same games, from the opening price-guessing to the Showcase Showdown -- and the Big Wheel.
-
No desire to retire: Stafford still singing
In his 24th season headlining his own show at The Jim Stafford Theatre, the guitarist, comedian and storyteller said he is still going strong. Stafford said he doesn't consider performing on stage work.
-
The Departed kicks off casino's Dirt Road Live series
The Departed will perform Wednesday at the casino. It is the first band in the casino's lineup for Dirt Road Live, a series of five red dirt bands getting radio airplay.
-
Summer JLT workshops to include auditioning
Registration continues for children's summer workshops at Joplin Little Theatre, where students will learn about the magic of dramatic arts -- and get some advance work on audition opportunities for shows later in the season.
- Parents' planner (May 23-29)
-
Sarah Coyne: Stay calm to beat boredom
Part of me wants to cram it full of activities and summer-bucket-list ideas, with reading schedules and math practice. But that's only the part that's afraid of what might happen to the moods of some bored kids on hot days.
-
No need for camping trip to enjoy roasted s'mores, hot dogs
Campfire treats can be enjoyed even when the campsite is just in the backyard. S'mores and hot dogs can be easily prepared with a simple, small cooking fire in a corner of your yard. And kids can help take part in the fun by cooking their own servings.
-
Cheryle Finley: Vidalia onion worthy of its own festival
Vidalia onions, the state vegetable of Georgia, are grown in season during late spring and early summer. First grown near Vidalia, Ga., in the 1930s, these onions are becoming more popular each year.
-
Amanda Stone: Do-it-yourself popsicles can be made from fruit, yogurt
It all started with a little white lie involving the blasted ice cream truck. I may have led my innocent toddler to believe that it is a music truck.
-
Benji Tunnell: Outside of the theater, movies are still entertaining
Every once in a while, I like to take a break from the weekly movie grind and explore some other entertainment avenues. Being a movie geek, I often gravitate toward film-related stuff.
- More Lifestyles Headlines
-
