Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham brings familiar characters to Alliant Energy PowerHouse

Jeff Dunham might work with dummies, but he is no dummy.

A big reason for his success is that he can get away with delivering outrageous jokes through his collection of dolls. He comes off as an innocuous guy, but his dummies are provocative and politically incorrect.

Achmed the Dead Terrorist is one of his most popular characters. The big-eyed skeleton is caustic and xenophobic. "The only guys who get my name right are Jewish guys and heavy smokers," Achmed said during a show, as he sounded as if he was coughing up phlegm.

Walter, an elderly curmudgeon, blurts out whatever is on his mind. "I like (Donald) Trump because he and I both think foreigners shouldn't be let in the country unless they're hot enough to marry," Walter cracked.

Dunham, 62, clearly knows what he's doing. "I can get away with things that other comics can't because of the puppets," Dunham said. "It's kind of like working with cartoon characters. With the puppets, I can push it. That's where the fun comes in for me. Some people might think I cross a line, but that's apparently a small percentage of people. Most of the people who come out love it."

That's evident. Dunham, who will perform Friday, April 11 at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse, is primarily headlining arenas around the country. Dunham has tapped into something. Dunham is not afraid to offend. His fearlessness has led to the invention of the aforementioned Achmed the Dead Terrorist, who has been a crowd favorite since he was introduced in 2007.

"I thought this character might be pushing the envelope, but I knew it would be big," Dunham said.

Part of the reason it works is due to how politically incorrect the act is, and there's so little of that sort of humor these days. Such outrageous comics as Don Rickles and Sam Kinison are no longer around. Many humorists are concerned about what is delivered onstage and echoed via social media that they are afraid of being cancelled. But Dunham lets it rip, and his large fan base supports his comedy.

It's beyond comedy. Dunham single-handedly revived ventriloquism, which appeared to be as lifeless as laser discs when he made a name for himself during the '90s.

"America's Got Talent" alum Terry Fator, who signed a $100 million deal with the Mirage in Las Vegas in 2009, owes much to Dunham. It's difficult to imagine Fator, a singing ventriloquist, landing such a lucrative contract if it weren't for Dunham. Fator, who worked the mirage from 2009 to 2020, now headlines Vegas' New York-New York Hotel and Casino.

"I have to give Jeff Dunham a lot of credit," Fator said. "He really helped pave the way and bring ventriloquism back. It's an art form. His success is amazing compared to what other comics accomplish."

Achmed and Walter aren't Dunham's only characters. There's the wisecracking Peanut, who is manic and irreverent. Jose Jalapeno is a talking pepper on a stick. Bubba J loves country music, NASCAR and beer.

"I've been fortunate," Dunham said. "It's not just one puppet or one joke that's worked for me. It's an array of characters that have connected with the audience."

Dunham attracts an eclectic crowd. His audience is typically comprised of teenagers, khaki sporting parents and even some grandparents, who appear as out of step as well, a ventriloquist.

The crowd might not be the hippest, but that's fine with Dunham.

"It's not about being cutting edge," Dunham said. "It's about being funny. There's nothing that makes me happier than hearing the audience laugh like they do."