Jeff Dunham’s success hailed in Time, Forbes
Jeff Dunham continues to make his mark as a global entertainment phenomenon as well as a master of all media. In a recent feature article in Time magazine, the newsweekly declared him “perhaps the most popular stand-up comedian in the U.S.”
Concurrently, Forbes named Dunham as one of the most powerful celebrities in the world on its Celebrity 100 list, noting in an accompanying article how Dunham is “third-highest-earning comedian in America behind Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock” and had the top-grossing North American comedy tour of 2008.
And Dunham continues to build up his comedy empire: he is preparing to debut a weekly TV series, publish his first book, take his highly-successful line of merchandise out to general retail and embark on a 60-date Comedy Central Live tour beginning in September.
According to a news release upcoming half-hour sketch variety show, “The Jeff Dunham Show,” will debut its initial seven episodes on Oct. 8, and was created as part of Dunham’s recent multi-platform deal with the cable channel that encompasses all areas of entertainment. The show’s format will include both in-studio segments taped with a live audience and field segments with real people in actual true-life settings featuring Dunham as his comedic cast of cohorts.
In November, Dunham will publish “All By My Selves,” an autobiography and more that chronicles his life from when he bought a Mortimer Snerd dummy in a toy store at age 10 and decided to devote his life to comedy through his initial public performances as a high school and college student and his many years on the road performing in comedy clubs to his current prominence as an entertainment superstar.
Dunham’s own recounting of his life story and career is interspersed with commentary by his characters, who relate their own humorous perspective on how it really happened. And in addition to the book being an engrossing autobiographical tale, it also serves as a business primer for success in both entertainment and all areas of commerce while also offering elements of personal and life inspiration to readers.
In the wake of stunning multimillion dollar sales of Dunham’s line of
merchandise through his website and tour venues at his live shows, the
Dunham brand and products were a hit at the recent ASD merchandise show in Las Vegas (the world’s largest such market) as they were rolled out for sale by general retail stores. The national availability of his line of apparel, talking character dolls and toys, etched iPods and cell phones and other items are sure to post further record sales.
And if all that weren’t enough, in the wake of his Comedy Central Live tour,
Dunham will also be developing and taping his fourth special for Comedy
Central to debut in 2010 after posting the most-viewed show ever on the
channel last year with “Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Special,” whose debut was seen by 6.6 million viewers. His record sales of the DVDs from his three previous specials have now exceeded four million units and counting.
As Slate recently observed, “By every conceivable measure, Jeff Dunham is
America’s favorite comedian.” And with his TV series, book, continuing tour appearances, merchandise and more within Dunham’s comprehensive deal with Comedy Central, even greater levels of popularity and record-breaking success are certain to follow.
-BAM
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