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Cover image credit: Promotional image via Prime Video

Me the People

Jeff Dunham

Comedy Central · 2022 · 42 min

Jeff Dunham tackles aging politicians and screen addiction with his puppets.

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Jeff Dunham heads to the nation’s capital to deliver his brand of ventriloquism to a politically weary crowd. Performing at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., Dunham uses his familiar cast of characters to voice the grumblings of an exhausted electorate, though the satire remains broad enough to keep his massive, mainstream audience comfortable.\n\nAt this point in his career, Dunham was a touring powerhouse, selling out arenas worldwide and fresh off a multi-special deal with Comedy Central. This 2022 hour proved to be a massive ratings win for the network, bringing in 2.8 million viewers for its premiere.\n\nThe centerpiece of the show is Walter, who appears dressed as Walter Biden to offer a cantankerous parody of the commander-in-chief. Bubba J also gets a political upgrade, rambling about his own version of a first lady, while Peanut focuses on mocking Dunham’s own stage presence. Dunham also leans into generational divides through Url, his phone-obsessed millennial puppet who tries and fails to explain modern technology to his creator.\n\nThe political jokes steer clear of deep partisan division, opting instead for general complaints about aging leaders and modern screen addiction.

The set list

5 bits

  1. Walter impersonating President Joe Biden

    Walter wears aviators and a suit against an Oval Office backdrop, poking fun at Biden's age and speech patterns before breaking character to talk to Dunham.

  2. Bubba J's 'Drinkin' and Thinkin''

    Accompanied by piano, Bubba J delivers a Southern redneck parody of deep thoughts.

  3. Introducing the new puppet character, Url

    Depicts a smartphone-addicted young adult who constantly texts with earbuds in, lives in his parents' basement, and sarcastically calls Dunham's standup set an intervention.

  4. Peanut acting as head of Human Resources

    Peanut attempts to reprimand Dunham for forcing the puppets to tell offensive, racist, or homophobic jokes.

  5. José Jalapeño on a Stick arriving from Martha's Vineyard

    José jokes about taking a bus from Martha's Vineyard and identifying as a pickle.

How it plays

Tone
Self-deprecating, politically pointed, and irreverent.
On stage
Ventriloquist trading banter with signature puppet characters, presenting himself as unapologetic about offending critics while performing for his loyal fanbase.
Pace
Brisk pace featuring quick cuts across character segments.
About
politics, Joe Biden, cancel culture, smart devices and screen time, relationships

What the critics said

Critical reception was split; Decider gave it a 'Skip It' verdict, arguing Dunham's targets leaned heavily conservative and played into transphobia, while Bubbleblabber praised it as a solid hour of brisk, self-deprecating comedy.

In the room: A sold-out, diverse Washington, D.C. audience described as sharp, hot, and highly receptive to jokes targeting cancel culture and national politics.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: rottentomatoes.com, wtop.com, variety.com, whatthemovie.com, decider.com, bubbleblabber.com, screenrant.com, themoviedb.org, nytimes.com, jeffdunham.com.

Backstory

Filmed in the nation's capital (Washington, D.C.), leaning into the political atmosphere with lampoons of the Biden presidency, smart device addiction, and contemporary debates on cancel culture.

Details

Released
Taped
Warner Theatre, Washington
Runtime
42 min
Where
Comedy Central
Director
Manny Rodriguez
Topics
Before
Beside Himself (2019)
After
I'm with Cupid (2024)

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