I think what inspires me is just seeing my kids, raising my children. You don’t know really what’s it’s all about until you get out in the real world and get a couple of knocks. I used to hear that back when I was in college that I had people telling me that a comedian really doesn’t reach his stride or at least a stride enough to keep succeeding until probably late in college or after college because he hasn’t lived life enough. But, you know the more steps that I take in life, the more there is to draw from. And whether you succeed to fail or make mistakes or you know do great things, we all do that throughout life. And I think that the best inspiration for any comic is just to live life and live it to its fullest. Jeff Dunham: “Unfortunately for comedians, I think the funnier the guy is usually the more garbage he or she has gone through in their lives. What inspires to create a new character and will you be introducing one on the special? Participating in a conference call in support of the upcoming special, Dunham chatted about the inspiration for his characters and his style of comedy. Dunham, who describes himself as “an average guy who happens to have these little partners that live in suitcases,” promises this new special will poke fun at Hollywood while delivering the sort of comedy his fans expect and love. Jeff Dunham: Unhinged in Hollywood was shot at the Dolby Theater (home of the Oscars) and features Dunham’s cast of colorful characters including fan favorites Walter and Achmed the Dead Terrorist. By correcting himself, it is just emphasized that there is a difference between “God” and “Allah” when that is definitely not the case.Achmed and Jeff Dunham (Photo by: Todd Rosenberg / NBC)Ĭomedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham headlines a new special on NBC airing on Septemat 8pm ET/PT. Comedians give what the crowd is attracted to, and at this particular time terrorism was a huge topic within the political atmosphere.Īnother thing that I believe Dunham does to strengthen the stereotypes, and is rather insulting, is related to his use of the Arabic word for “God,” which is “Allah.” In the skit, Achmed says “God damn it,” only to correct himself by saying “Oh! I mean, ‘Allah’ damn it!” This small phrase is insulting, but also feeds the false assumption that Arbas and/or Muslims worship a different God than others do. As Jack Shaheen discusses in “Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People,” stereotypes shape discourse and public policy, and they are shaped by politics. This entire skit is fueled upon stereotypes.Īchmed was introduced to Dunham’s comedic lineup circa 2007, which, when you think about it, was when 9/11 wasn’t considered to be old news just yet. One thing that is particularly annoying to me is the constant reiteration of “Silence!! I kill you!!” In order for people to find this saying funny, they have to already have the preconceived thought that Arabs equal danger.
This particular piece does not combat Islamophobia, but rather it reinforces it and turns it into a laughing matter. Achmed is a skeleton that wears a turban, and he displays every stereotype that anyone may have on an Arab. In one of comedian Jeff Dunham’s skits, a character named Achmed the Dead Terrorist is introduced. While some comedy works in combating Islamophobia, there are also some comedians whose jokes strengthen the Islamophobic views of individuals.
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