Review: Jeff Dunham “Unhinged in Hollywood”

America just voted a ventriloquist as the best talent in the world and last night we got to see the profession’s top earner. And there’s a reason why Jeff Dunham is the top earner, and it dawns on me every time we see Achmed…the guys brings the characters, the laughs, and this time around a good helping of variety.

Yes, all of the favorites are accounted for this prime-time one hour, and everyone of them for the most part go after the most topical of targets i.e. your Kardashians, your Donald Trump gags, even Caitlyn Jenner got a shot in the dick. That said, Jeff Dunham is really starting to move outside of his comfort zone, and for the most part it works. For starters his running gag with Achmed and Chris Parnell was fantastic, and I think holds merit as a potential pilot. Moreover, my favorite stand-up bit was by far Little Jeff. Formerly, Little Jeff was a sidekick for Peanut, but this was my first time seeing him in a very humorous solo act.

Unfortunately, there were some hiccups with the special. For starters, Brad Paisley had 20 minutes, that’s 20 minutes of my life I’ll never get back. Even the song he does with Walter sounded like just a terrible Brad Paisley song. I also would like to have seen a few more new characters added into Jeff’s bit, some fresh acts. I feel like I’ve seen the Peanut and Walter routines a few too many times, at least Achmed in the past has introduced a son, the other two not so much.

Still though, Unhinged in Hollywood showcased the same Jeff Dunham we all have grown to enjoy ever since he was doing 30 minute specials on Comedy Central all those years ago.