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12-10-2009 100
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Posted on September 22, 2008 4:53 AM

Dunham's puppet performance not just for kids

Comedian Jeff Dunham's stand-up routine is entitled "Spark of Insanity," but after witnessing last night's display of reckless, politically-incorrect humor being spewed by a grown man with dolls, maybe "Inferno of Insanity" would be a more apt title.

Dunham, a comedian who specializes in ventriloquism (or is he a ventriloquist who specializes in comedy?), performed last night to a packed Bryce Jordan Center, which seemed to consist of more families than students.

But every minute I had Dunham pegged as a comedian aiming to win over the traditional family, he went and made a joke involving sex, porno or some sort of racial bigotry. And, to add to that insanity, 90 percent of the punch lines were delivered via crazy puppets.

Before the crowd was treated to Dunham's racially insensitive puppets, Haner -- a.k.a. the "Guitar Guy" -- opened with a musical timeline of his life featuring jokes mixed with well-known classic rock riffs.

I found him amusing, but not so much in a "comedian" sense but more in a "my-crazy-uncle-is-playing-guitar-and-boring-us-with-stories-from-the-road" way. It got awkward when he started shredding and finger tapping as if he was Eddie Van Halen. Ever been at a party and notice some kid in the corner playing scales on a guitar as fast as he can to kids with dropped jaws? This was basically Haner's set but with chuckle-worthy jokes.

Dunham took the stage and first performed some stand-up sans the puppets. His stories about his inept 16-year-old daughter who couldn't figure out how to fill up a gas tank had the crowd doubled over in laughter. He also mentioned on a number of occasions how he bought his wife two boob jobs, which had the crowd equally amused.

"Somewhere there is a certificate that says I am the owner of four tits," Dunham said.

It wasn't until Dunham brought out his puppets that the crowd went into full hysteria.

Walter, the old grouchy racist, got his kicks by insulting anything in sight, including the BJC itself.

"We're playing at a gym at Penn State! Our careers are zooming!" Walter said.

One of the biggest reactions of the night was when Dunham brought out Peanut, a purple alien crossed with some sort of monkey. Dunham really worked his magic with Peanut, establishing a humorous banter between the two.

Probably even more popular than Peanut was the encore with Bubba J, a puppet that looks like a redneck and embodies every typical redneck stereotype that the Blue Collar Comedy Tour has already beat well into the ground. The crowd was delivering almost every punch line along with Bubba J, due to the popularity of the act.

All in all, Dunham and his "little people in boxes" provided fun that seemed straight out of the mental hospital.

Not everything was safe for young ears or politically correct viewers, but the atmosphere was playful and very accepting.



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