Do they get Google in Dallas?

Something about this review of Jeff Dunham in Monday’s Dallas Morning News made me stop and think before continuing to read onward. Actually, several somethings. Starting from the first words, actually. "Jeff Dunham’s rare and exquisite comedy…" (italics mine). OK. Exquisite is certainly a word a reviewer can use at his or her discretion and I cannot quibble with that, per se. Rare, though? Not sure how Dunham’s ventriloquism is exactly rare, but, eh, let’s move on to the next sentence. "He’s one of three ventriloquists, all from Dallas, who have only recently invaded the national consciousness." Italics again are mine. Now we’ve got some quibbling to do. Terry Fator, who won NBC’s America’s Got Talent and its $1 million prize, wasn’t exactly a household name before appearing on the show, but millions of people already were more than familiar with both Dunham and Jay Johson.

By the way, the reviewer in the next paragraph describes Dunham this way: "Mr. Dunham’s mark of distinction is that he’s easily one of the funniest stand-up comics alive." How he’d do that with only recently invading our consciousness is something, indeed. But Dunham has been packing comedy clubs and theaters for several years. I recall seeing him sell out a full weekend at a club six years ago, and even then, he had rabid fans lining up — with their own puppets of his — to meet him afterward. He did Comedy Central Presents back in 2003. Here’s his most recent touring schedule. His fans, which undoubtedly include the Dallas reporter, remain so loyal they’ve made him #1 on this year’s Comedy Central voting promo dealy deal (Stand-Up Showdown).

But let’s not forget Jay Johnson. He’s currently on tour following his Tony Award win for The Two and Only! (including this coming weekend in New Jersey). Johnson, however, has been a known performer for 30 years. Or has everyone forgotten the 1970s sitcom that really revolutionized the concept of sitcoms with drama and parodied soap operas, otherwise known as Soap? We haven’t forgotten you, Jay. We haven’t forgotten.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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One thought on “Do they get Google in Dallas?

  1. Jay Johnson is great.I remember him on Soap. The timing on it was great especially as the other cast members use to start to believe the dummy was real.

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