Big Dummy

It could be said that 2009 was both the high point and the low point of Jeff Dunham‘s career. The comedian and ventriloquist got his own show on Comedy Central. But even though it had the highest rated series premiere in the history of the network, The Jeff Dunham Show was canceled. The joker’s act hasn’t been without controversy, either. Some of his characters — notably Achmed the Dead Terrorist — have earned Dunham accusations of racial stereotyping. “We poke fun at whites, blacks, Hispanics, Christians, Jews, Muslims, gays, straights, rednecks, addicts and the elderly,” Dunham tells us. “These days, if you’re not offending a few people, you’re probably not doing the job right.” The comedian and his cast of dummies, including Peanut and Jose Jalapeño on a Stick, won’t be stopped. Dunham’s national tour pulls up at Sprint Center (1407 Grand) at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $40.50. See ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000. — Matt Mitchell

Sat., Aug. 21, 2010