Popular Dallas raised, Los Angeles based comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham visits Lethbridge with all of his little friends, Nov. 1.
He is spending the first week of November touring arenas all over Western Canada.
Dunham was recently named “the most successful comedian working in America” by the New York Times, thanks to his crazy cavalcade of characters including Walter the Grumpy Retiree, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, the hopped up redneck Bubba J, the manic purple creature Peanut, the spicy José Jalapeño and Peanut’s own ventriloquist dummy Little Jeff, a mini-version of Dunham himself.
He is touring in support of his brand new, Halloween themed DVD “Minding The Monsters, which captured 7.5 million viewers when it aired on Comedy Central. Sales hit platinum six days after it was released.
Dunham said people are really enjoying the new show.
“‘Minding the Monsters’ takes its audience into the ultimate haunted house where you can see Walter transform into something grumpier than he already is, watch Bubba J rise from the dead, meet Peanut’s alter ego, The Purple Avenger of the Night, and his spicy sidekick, and witness Achmed literally dressed to kill in an outfit that would terrify the most terrifying terrorist! It’s the best special yet,” said Dunham via e-mail, adding the new DVD is selling like hot cakes at a variety of big box stores including Walmart, Target and Best Buy.
Dunham takes a very much hands-on approach when creating his characters.
“I do everything from materials used to complication of movements, to what type of paintand how it's applied. I construct the characters myself and much blood, sweat, and angst is put into every one of them. Then, and the more difficult part, is creating material and writing the funny stuff,” he continued.
The characters are an extension of his own personality.
“ Each character is me, just exaggerated beyond the socially acceptable point for anyone living outside a suitcase,” he noted.
Dunham was recently named Pollstar’s #1 Comedy Tour in North America for three years running as well as their Top Worldwide Tour for the third year in a row. In addition, Dunham’s undeniable talent placed him on Forbes magazine’s Celebrity 100 roster of most powerful entertainers for the past four years.
While each of the characters are fun to play, he feeds off of the audience’s response during live performances.
“I'm a bit of a chameleon when it comes to having a favourite: Whatever that particular audience of the night is liking the most, I'm having a ball right along with them,” he said.
Achmed the Dead Terrorist has meant his popularity has, well, exploded, overseas.
“It goes without saying, however, that Achmed certainly has allowed me to break through in places that otherwise might have remained closed for a while. His clip on You Tube put whatever ride it is that the characters and I are on into a very high orbit. Our shows in Europe are certainly a testament to that. Folks in London, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Oslo were NUTS for the characters, especially Achmed. So is he’s my favourite. Don’t tell Peanut it would hurt his feelings,” he continued.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 1 at the Enmax Centre. Tickets cost $71.
