 Jeff Dunham with his puppet "Achmed the Dead Terrorist" (Photo Courtesy of JeffDunham.com) |
Jeff will bring along his hilarious "suitcase posse," a cast of characters that – together with Dunham's undeniable talent for the art of ventriloquism and comedy – have made him one of the hottest acts in the country. He is so hot in fact, that he has sold out multiple 5,000-6,000 seat arenas across the country over the past few months. His last trip to New Hampshire had him performing – and selling out – four back-to-back shows at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom this past summer. And now he returns to New Hampshire to perform in a much larger venue, propelling him to rock-star status.
Dunham has become a pop-culture phenomenon with his characters that includes Walter, an elderly, outspoken, politically incorrect curmudgeon, Peanut, a frenzied, loudmouthed (but loveable) imp and his newest character, "Achmed the Dead Terrorist." He was voted #1 in Comedy Central's "Stand-Up Showdown" in January 2008, beating out hundreds of other comedians for the top spot. Both of his DVD's, "Spark of Insanity"
His fan base and worldwide appeal is due in large part to video clips posted on sites like You Tube, where he's had an astounding 80 million plus combined views of various postings during the past few months alone. His videos have also been in the top-ten Google searches, and his video of "Achmed the Dead Terrorist" singing "Jingle Bombs" has had millions of views on You Tube and has been the Number One Top Rated You Tube Comedy Video.
Dunham has been called "one of the funniest stand-up comics alive" by the Dallas Morning News. Because his puppets each have their own unique personality, Dunham masterfully uses them to connect with audiences. After all, who doesn't know someone like Walter, an ornery old man with a big mouth? Peanut is not a human, but he is a manic character who Walter has described as a "Muppet on crack." There's also Melvin, the Superhero, Bubba J., a beer-drinking, Nascar-loving buck-toothed white man who lives in a trailer park, and the Mexican chili pepper José Jalepeño (on a steek!). "Achmed the Dead Terrorist" is just that, a skeletal suicide bomber that failed in his mission, blowing himself up in a premature detonation. He is famously known for his threat, "I keeel you!"
NewHampshire.com caught up with Jeff on his "Spark of Insanity" Tour and asked him a few questions about his characters, his tour, and what's in the future for him.
NewHampshire.com: How do you come up with your characters and do you make them yourself or does someone create them for you?
Jeff Dunham: Each one of them has had a different genesis. But the most important aspect that I look for is a character that people will care about...in a positive/negative way. The folks have to want to hear what this guy says, or at least give him a chance to prove himself. What's wrapped up in that statement is also the idea that people have to be able to relate to the character in some way.
NewHampshire.com: How did the idea of "Achmed, the Dead Terrorist" come about? Did you ever think Achmed would be so popular?
Jeff Dunham: I think folks really want to hear what a dead terrorist would say. And then when they realize this particular terrorist is a bumbling idiot with problems in life, they realize he's human. With Walter, everyone knows someone exactly like him. Most people understand a curmudgeon if they have lived around one. It's refreshing in a way, to hear someone speak their mind and not care what other folks think. It's refreshing when someone doesn't give a damn about being Politically Correct.
NewHampshire.com: Who will you be bringing on tour with you for the "Spark of Insanity" tour?
Jeff Dunham: Peanut, Walter, Jose, Achmed and Bubba J.
NewHampshire.com: Both of your DVD's ("Arguing with Myself" and "Spark of Insanity") have gone multi-platinum, do you have another DVD or Comedy Central special in the works?
Jeff Dunham: For 10 years, a friend of ours has had a Christmas party and at every one of them I have taken one of the characters and read a twisted version of The Night Before Christmas. It always went over great, and my wife for YEARS has said I should make it into a DVD. Well, after 'Arguing' and 'Spark', we knew there was an audience and a demand, so we went for it. "A Very Special Christmas"
In addition to the Comedy Central Christmas special, you can catch Dunham and friends on his "Spark of Insanity" Tour when they roll into the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester on Saturday, December 6 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are priced at $42.50 and may be purchased by going to Ticketmaster.com. Visit Jeff Dunham's world at www.jeffdunham.com or www.myspace.com/jeffdunham.
