I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to stand-up comics, but I don't think I've ever laughed harder at a single comedian than Jeff Dunham. The guy is a master. Watching his shows is a non-stop ticket to comedy heaven, and the acts do not get any less funny when watched repeatedly.
Jeff Dunham brings back some of his most popular puppets (Walter, Peanut, and Jose Jalepeno), and brings on two new ones (Achmed the Dead Terrorist and Melvin the Superhero Guy). Walter, my personal favorite, is funnier than ever. I was laughing so hard that I could hardly breathe. Unfortunately, Dunham brought back his weakest puppet, Peanut, who's worse than before. In "Arguing with Myself," Peanut boasted a few laughs. Here, he nearly brings the show to a dead stop. Dunham needs to take the hint and get rid of this irritating Muppet-wannabe. Have the somewhat funnier Jose the Jalepeno pair up with another puppet. Or better yet, get rid of him as well and bring back a funnier doll, like Sweet Daddy D.
His two new puppets are more successful. Achmed the Dead Terrorist is Dunham's most famous puppet, and there's a reason for it: he's hysterical. The inept ex-suicide bomber is almost as funny as Walter. Dunham risked a lot by putting such a controversial character into his show, but Dunham is never insulting to anyone (except terrorists).
Less successful is Melvin the Superhero Guy, but he can generate a few laughs. The big-nosed superhero isn't as funny as Walter or Achmed, but he's a lot more entertaining than Peanut.
The director, Michael Shannon, isn't as good as "Spark of Insanity's" Manny Rodriguez. Shannon frames Jeff and his puppets pretty well, but his sense of comic timing needs fine-tuning. Fortunately, Jeff is funny enough to not let this ruin the jokes.
If you thought "Arguing with Myself" was funny, don't miss this one!
