Vegas Ventriloquism

A lot of people know who Jeff Dunham is, Terry Fator is also well known, but who is Jason Scavone?  By the tone of his article "Welcome to Puppet Land" in an on line publication called Vegas Seven, it is obvious he suffers from ventrilophobia!  Mr. Scavone believes that Las Vegas has "jumped the Shark" with double headliner Ventriloquist shows running at the same time in Las Vegas. To quote his review/opinion "America, what is your deal? Why do you have an insatiable lust for cheap puns delivered through 80 bucks worth of felt?"

 Really? In a town built on ketchie excess of everything from neon lights to artificial breasts, having two ventriloquists headline shows in town is too much?  Seems to me there are more than two magicians working the strip. There are also several "singers" headlining shows (doing mostly the same songs) and you can't throw a rock without hitting a Cirque du Soleil show.  In fact I think Vegas "jumped the shark" when the last Cirque show opened.  Now the entertainment venues in Vegas are choices between the same balancing and acrobatic acts with different costumes and music. 

 "Doris, what Vegas show do you want to see tonight? Do you want to see circus acts set to Beatles music or circus acts with weird music set in a swimming pool?" 

Sharing a position on the advisory board of Vent Haven Museum with both Terry and Jeff I may not be the most objective observer when it comes to ventriloquist shows. But, it seems that the art form itself provokes naysayers who continually question its entertainment value.  One critic of my show in New York wondered if ventriloquism belonged on Broadway. The American Theatre Wing thought it did and awarded my show the Tony® Award for "best special theatrical event" in 2007.  

What is it that this guy is worried about? 

To quote Mr. Scavone

"What we’re really worried about is the Puppetpocalypse this portends."

Two vents in town and it is  the beginning of a "puppetpocalypse"?  If 150 Elvis impersonators have not caused an Elvispocalypse what impact will two of the hardest working- best known Vents in the business have on the city? 

Here is his answer: 

"If one more guy turns up with a trunk full of dead-eyed characters, we’re getting the hell out of here....We’ll be in San Diego." 

Mr. Scavone,  I am willing to be that guy with the trunk if you will promise to really "get the hell out of" Las Vegas. I can be there in a few hours so start packing. But let me tell you something. The only entertainment San Diego offers is SeaWorld, an entire theme park of performing fish.  It is definitely a Whalepocalypse! 

To Terry and Jeff.  I remember when Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin were in town at the same time. Two Italian singers know for singing the same kind of songs. No one screamed "Wopocalypse" and they both did really well.  Best wishes to both of you. 

As you were,

Jay

What we’re really worried about is the Puppetpocalypse this portends. - See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpufWhat we’re really worried about is the Puppetpocalypse this portends. - See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpufWhat we’re really worried about is the Puppetpocalypse this portends. - See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpufWhat we’re really worried about is the Puppetpocalypse this portends. - See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpuf

America, what is your deal? Why do you have an insatiable lust for cheap puns delivered through 80 bucks worth of felt?

- See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpuf

What we’re really worried about is the Puppetpocalypse this portends. - See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpuf

America, what is your deal? Why do you have an insatiable lust for cheap puns delivered through 80 bucks worth of felt?

- See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpuf

- See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpuf