The Jeff Dunham Show
Encyclopedia
The Jeff Dunham Show is a sketch comedy
television series starring comedian Jeff Dunham
, that aired on the American cable television
network Comedy Central
. It premiered on October 22, 2009, and featured Dunham interacting with the characters that he uses in his ventriloquism act, such as Walter, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, Peanut, Bubba J, José Jalapeño on a Stick, and Sweet Daddy Dee. The series' final episode aired on December 10, 2009.
On December 29, 2009, it was announced that The Jeff Dunham Show would not return for a second season, despite having higher average ratings than other Comedy Central shows; Nellie Andreeva of The Live Feed cited its higher production cost as a factor.
The entire series run is included on The Jeff Dunham Show DVD, which was released on May 18, 2010.
, and Bubba J visits a real rifle range.
, and Bubba J recounts the day Walter was examined by, as Walter calls her, "a woman doctor".
, Achmed records his own ringtones, Walter tries to get a vacation for his wife for their anniversary, and Bubba J tries to "drunk-proof" a family's home.
A skit featuring Sweet Daddy Dee trying to make an a cappella group acquainted with some Germans who run a bar below where the group practices was filmed, but not ever shown on the show. It can be viewed on the show's DVD, however. Several parts in the skit parody the 1965 film The Sound of Music
.
specials, or ventriloquism
itself. Others, like The Hollywood Reporter
’s Randee Dawn, criticized the puppets as “racist caricatures.”
The show's premiere episode drew 5.3 million viewers, making it the highest Comedy Central premiere of all time, but in its second week, saw a 55% decrease, drawing 2.3 million viewers, a drop that was partially attributed to the World Series
drawing sports fans from the show.
On December 29, 2009, TV Guide
reported that The Jeff Dunham Show would not be renewed for a second season, noting that despite the strong premiere, the series' ratings had dropped sharply by the season finale.
Sketch comedy
A sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called "sketches," commonly between one and ten minutes long. Such sketches are performed by a group of comic actors or comedians, either on stage or through an audio and/or visual medium such as broadcasting...
television series starring comedian Jeff Dunham
Jeff Dunham
Jeff Dunham is an American ventriloquist and stand-up comedian who has also appeared on numerous television shows, including Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents, The Tonight Show and Sonny With a Chance...
, that aired on the American cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
network Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
. It premiered on October 22, 2009, and featured Dunham interacting with the characters that he uses in his ventriloquism act, such as Walter, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, Peanut, Bubba J, José Jalapeño on a Stick, and Sweet Daddy Dee. The series' final episode aired on December 10, 2009.
On December 29, 2009, it was announced that The Jeff Dunham Show would not return for a second season, despite having higher average ratings than other Comedy Central shows; Nellie Andreeva of The Live Feed cited its higher production cost as a factor.
The entire series run is included on The Jeff Dunham Show DVD, which was released on May 18, 2010.
Production
The series, which has been described as "broader and cleaner" than Dunham's standup act, was part of a multi-platform deal Dunham signed in March 2009 that includes further stand-up specials, DVDs, a consumer product partnership, and a tour. It combines segments with Dunham and his characters onstage in front of a live audience with segments where the characters visit real people and places around Los Angeles.Episode 1
In the pilot episode, Walter and Jeff visit a licensed psychologist to help them with their personal conflict, Achmed stars in a stand-up comedy DVD, Peanut meets pop singer and reality TV star Brooke HoganBrooke Hogan
Brooke Ellen Bollea , better known by her stage name Brooke Hogan, is an American singer, actress, model, socialite, and television personality, and the oldest child of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan . She appeared on the reality-television series Hogan Knows Best, which focused on her family,...
, and Bubba J visits a real rifle range.
Episode 2
Achmed throws himself a funeral, Peanut gets Walter to interview Good CharlotteGood Charlotte
Good Charlotte is an American rock band from Waldorf, Maryland that formed in 1996. Since 1998, the band's constant members have been lead vocalist Joel Madden, lead guitarist and back-up vocalist Benji Madden, bass guitarist Paul Thomas and rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Billy Martin...
, and Bubba J recounts the day Walter was examined by, as Walter calls her, "a woman doctor".
Episode 3
Achmed tries to become an American citizen, Walter hosts a segment called "Walter's Technology Minute", Sweet Daddy Dee tries to get more black people to watch the show, and Peanut stars in an infomercial about an energy drink he invented based on his catchphrase "Neow!". Jose Jalepeno on a Stick appears during Walter's segment.Episode 4
Peanut records a dance song with "Kundry Black", Bubba J visits Dr. Hsu (the doctor who examined Walter in the second episode), and a psychologist to ease his fear of doctors and hospitals, and Achmed watches his first adult film. Jose Jalepeno on a Stick appears at the end of Bubba J's skit.Episode 5
Sweet Daddy Dee tries to understand Civil War reenactmentsAmerican Civil War reenactment
American Civil War reenactment is an effort to recreate the appearance of a particular battle or other event associated with the American Civil War by hobbyists known as Civil War reenactors or Civil War recreationists...
, Achmed records his own ringtones, Walter tries to get a vacation for his wife for their anniversary, and Bubba J tries to "drunk-proof" a family's home.
Episode 6
Peanut tries to get dancers for the show, Walter shows off his relationship advice segment (first shown in episode 4), Achmed once again tries to become an American citizen by joining the Marines, and Bubba J records his own ringtones.Episode 7
In the series' finale, Bubba J enters a rehabilitation center, Walter does his weekly apology to his wife in advance, Achmed tries to sell terrorism against America, and Walter records his own ringtones. Peanut appears during Bubba J's skit.A skit featuring Sweet Daddy Dee trying to make an a cappella group acquainted with some Germans who run a bar below where the group practices was filmed, but not ever shown on the show. It can be viewed on the show's DVD, however. Several parts in the skit parody the 1965 film The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music (film)
Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music is a 1965 American musical film directed by Robert Wise and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The film is based on the Broadway musical The Sound of Music, with songs written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, and with the musical...
.
Ratings and critical reception
The show opened to universally unfavorable reviews. It scored a 20 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 7 reviews by critics, most of whom either questioned the wisdom of the series’ concept, or conceded a prejudice against Dunham, his previous Comedy CentralComedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
specials, or ventriloquism
Ventriloquism
Ventriloquism, or ventriloquy, is an act of stagecraft in which a person manipulates his or her voice so that it appears that the voice is coming from elsewhere, usually a puppeteered "dummy"...
itself. Others, like The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter
Formerly a daily trade magazine, The Hollywood Reporter re-launched in late 2010 as a unique hybrid publication serving the entertainment industry and a consumer audience...
’s Randee Dawn, criticized the puppets as “racist caricatures.”
The show's premiere episode drew 5.3 million viewers, making it the highest Comedy Central premiere of all time, but in its second week, saw a 55% decrease, drawing 2.3 million viewers, a drop that was partially attributed to the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
drawing sports fans from the show.
On December 29, 2009, TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
reported that The Jeff Dunham Show would not be renewed for a second season, noting that despite the strong premiere, the series' ratings had dropped sharply by the season finale.