Arguing With Myself

S00 E01 • Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 • Apr 11 • 30m

Arguing With Myself, a recorded live performance of ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, portrays a comedian whose revival of an old-fashioned art has made ventriloquism more relevant to modern societal concerns. Starring his six main characters, from Bubba Jay, a Nascar-obsessed hick, to Peanut, a flamboyant monkey from Micronesia, Dunham’s puppets have dirty but relatively inoffensive senses of humor that mock the American Dream. One can easily see why Jay Leno champions Dunham, as his skits contain a similar sly sarcasm disguised as wholesome teasing aimed at men indebted to their ugly wives, for example, or people who live their lives working in cubicles. At times, though, Dunham’s humor seems to lose its ironic distance, especially as he interacts with puppets like Jose Jalapeño, a Cuban chile pepper, or Sweet Daddy D, a Black pimp, both reliant on the antiquated humor once popularized in cartoons by racial caricature. Since the entire audience in the film is white, it is difficult to assess whether or not African-Americans or Latinos would find Dunham funny. In other words, Dunham’s humor isn’t overtly offensive enough to make fun of ethnic heritage. However, his skills as a ventriloquist alone make him a fascinating entertainer, and anyone interested in how puppetry and ventriloquism has progressed over the decades would benefit from watching Dunham bring life to his wooden friends.

Spark Of Insanity

S00 E02 • Monday, Sep 17, 2007 • Sep 17 • 30m

Combining his amazing talent and his unorthodox sense of humor, Jeff Dunham returns, yet again, with an hilarious ventriloquist performance. Starting off with the infamously known Walter, scrutinizing every bit of today's American society. Followed by two new characters, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, who continuously threatens the crowd with Silence and Death, and Melvin the Superhero, who can stop a speeding bullet! ... only once... He wraps up the show with the adorable Peanut and an uncanny debate between him and Jose Jallapinio (on a Stick). Brilliantly written with an Outstanding performance.

Very Special Christmas Special

S00 E03 • Sunday, Nov 16, 2008 • Nov 16 • 30m

The multi-platinum selling comedian performs his first holiday-themed stand-up special with his friends

Controlled Chaos

S00 E04 • Sunday, Sep 25, 2011 • Sep 25 • 30m

Birth of a Dummy

S00 E05 • Tuesday, Nov 22, 2011 • Nov 22 • 30m

BIO’s “Jeff Dunham: Birth of a Dummy,” delivers exclusive, unprecedented access to the life of the entertainer who single-handedly made ventriloquism hip again.