# Ventriloquism: I don't get it **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 16, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923 "2011-08-16T17:47:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/1 "2011-08-16T17:47:58Z")
My wife just called to tell me that Jeff Dunham is coming to Ottawa and she’s getting tickets. Have fun! I said. She knows i don’t like ventriloquism and will be taking the kids without me. I really don’t get it though. Sure it takes skill and talent to be able to make a puppet talk, without moving your lips, but otherwise, so? Maybe I’m just a jaded old fart, but I really don’t see much humour in talking puppets. It’s not like the jokes are that particularly clever. What do the rest of you think of ventriloquism? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/2 "2011-08-16T17:56:35Z")
It’s usually a social thing. The dummy gives the ventriloquist an excuse to say things that he couldn’t say as himself. It’s like being the court jester - he can say things to the king that a duke couldn’t. Or like being in Vegas - you can do things that you couldn’t do back home. There are certain situations where you’re allowed to break a rule you’re normally expected to follow and the existence of these situations acts as a safety valve on society. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/3 "2011-08-16T18:09:16Z")
It all comes down to the ventriloquist telling funny jokes/stories - the dummy is the prop that lets him tell the story. To a large extent, it’s like seeing both sides of an old Bob Newhart phone bit. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/4 "2011-08-16T18:15:07Z")
Great ventriloquists & puppeteers create characters. Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster etc. ventriloquists are a bit out of style these days. The last one I really liked was Wayland Flowers and Madame. Not for kids. Madame was this horny old woman character. Wayland Flowers also had an old man puppet character that I liked too. Shotgun Red was a puppet that cohosted Nashville Now. Family friendly and very funny. > **[Shotgun Red](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_red)** > > Shotgun Red is a puppet best known as a co-host for the television talk show Nashville Now, which aired from 1983–1993 on The Nashville Network (TNN). Often appearing alongside the show's host Ralph Emery, Shotgun Red was performed by Steve Hall, a musician, comedian and voice artist who was born in Sheldon, Iowa. > The puppet, best recognized for his large gray mustache and straw cowboy hat, was discovered by Hall in 1980 in a Minnesota hobby shop, where he bought it for forty dollars. Hall first... ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/5 "2011-08-16T18:16:02Z")
Not only that, when you have a good ventrilquist, it’s like having two comedians, or a comedian and a straight man (ala Bob Newhart, like Folacin said). But then when you get someone really freaking talented like Jeff, you have to appreciate how much goes into that, when he’s got himself and two dummies going back and forth and working in English and Spanish, it’s pretty impressive. On top of all that, this isn’t just flash in the pan, the guy has been at it for over 20 years, with the at least one (two?) of the same dummies. I still remember seeing him on Stand Up Spot Light with Rosie O’Donnell on VH1 back in '92. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/6 "2011-08-16T18:30:05Z")
I used to think Jeff Dunham was funny, but the last couple of specials on Comedy Central were just boring. His puppets are, to me, juvenile stereotypes. Seriously, a dumb redneck? A pimp? A terrorist? Ha ha hilarious. And the less said about his TV series, the better. :rolleyes: I’ll acknowledge his performing talent, but he needs better material, IMHO. I wouldn’t pay to see him. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/7 "2011-08-16T18:30:50Z")
You don’t like ventriloquists in general, and Jeff Dunham in particular? **SILENCE! I KEEL YOU!** ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/8 "2011-08-16T18:45:52Z")
Moving to Cafe Society from MPSIMS. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/9 "2011-08-16T18:51:29Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > You don’t like ventriloquists in general, and Jeff Dunham in particular? > > **SILENCE! I KEEL YOU!** I saw your keyboard moving. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/10 "2011-08-16T18:54:52Z")
As a Recovering Ventriloquist, I have to support the OP. It is a mental illness masquerading as entertainment. Please, don’t laugh at the poor, sick individual with the puppet - they can’t help the way they are. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/11 "2011-08-16T18:56:32Z")
Edgar Bergen made a fortune by doing ventriloquism on the radio. Nice gig if you can get it. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/12 "2011-08-16T18:58:24Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Edgar Bergen made a fortune by doing ventriloquism on the radio. Nice gig if you can get it. Yeah, I’m not sure what the point of watching a ventriloquist from the back of an auditorium would be. “Wow! I can’t even see his lips move, possibly because I left my opera glasses at home!” ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/13 "2011-08-16T19:04:30Z")
I have no problem with ventriloquists. Ventriloquist _dummies_, on the other hand, freak me right the hell out. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/14 "2011-08-16T19:18:14Z")
A ventriloquist is just a comedian with a prop. Some can be very funny (the best I saw was someone called “Aaron and Freddy,” about thirty years ago). The jokes are more important than the jokes (Edgar Bergan was technically pretty weak – his lips moved all the time. It didn’t matter, and he’d joke about it as part of his act). ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/15 "2011-08-16T19:18:22Z")
I don’t enjoy or hate ventriloquism per se. It’s just a technique for telling the jokes. I actually kind of like Jeff Dunham, and a few of his bits are in use between my girlfriend and me. _dot com_ ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/16 "2011-08-16T19:25:26Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > The jokes are more important than the jokes. It’s so meta. even this acronym ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/17 "2011-08-16T19:47:55Z")
I have never even cracked a grin at anything Jeff Dunham ever said, under the guise of any character. It’s idiot redneck humor at nearly its worst. Nothing against Ventriloquism in general–though come to think of it I can’t think of a time I actually enjoyed a ventriloquist performance. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/18 "2011-08-16T19:49:24Z")
Nearly everyone I see today is a puppeteer and not a ventriloquist. Very few entertainers even try to hide moving their lips. Once in awhile I’ll see an amateur ventriloquist on a show do the drinking water while talking trick. Really what matters is a great puppet and an interesting funny character. No one cars if your lips move. The only ventriloquist I hated was Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop. I never could stand that character. Even when I was a kid. The voice was like nails on a chalkboard. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/19 "2011-08-16T19:50:00Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I used to think Jeff Dunham was funny, but the last couple of specials on Comedy Central were just boring. His puppets are, to me, juvenile stereotypes. Seriously, a dumb redneck? A pimp? A terrorist? Ha ha hilarious. I gotta agree, and I love Jeff Dunham. His _best_ material comes out with Walter, Peanut, and ironically as himself. When he warms up the crowd before bringing out the puppets he can make me laugh hard enough to stop breathing. He tells stories rather than jokes, and while they’re certainly embellished they have the ring of truth to them, and that always resonates with me. Walter is fun because, as **Little Nemo** says, he says the things it would be impolitic for Dunham to say. Walter can rip into members of the audience and just mock them relentlessly, and it’s not only hilarious but it preserves Dunham’s nice guy image. Peanut is fun because the design of the character and the mannerisms Dunham created for him make him very much like a living cartoon. He’s also such an old part of Dunham’s act that when they’re playing off each other it’s less like an act and more like two friends bickering. Again, that verisimilitude really adds to my enjoyment of the show. His other puppets? Fegh. They’re bad stereotypes, the jokes aren’t that great, and he’s so stilted with them that it’s impossible to see it as anything other than an amateur act. Achmed is the best of the lot, but only because it’s more mocking terrorists than a regionality. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923/20 "2011-08-16T19:51:42Z")
I loved ‘Achmed, the Dead Terrorist’. The rest? Not that impressed. Well, Walter, maybe. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquism-i-dont-get-it/592923.md?page=2)