Jeff Dunham: Beside Himself

Context & Trivia

This Jeff Dunham comedy special, released on Netflix on September 24, 2019, was filmed at the American Airlines Center in his hometown of Dallas, Texas. It marks Dunham's second special for the streaming platform. The title, "Beside Himself," is a pun that refers both to being overcome with emotion (laughter) and to Dunham literally performing alongside his puppets. The special features Dunham's usual cast of characters: Walter, a grumpy old man; Bubba J, a beer-loving redneck; Peanut, an eccentric and chaotic "muppet"; José Jalapeño on a Stick, a talking jalapeño; and Achmed the Dead Terrorist, a terrorist skeleton. The newcomer is Larry, a chain-smoking, perpetually anxious presidential adviser, through whom Dunham comments on Donald Trump's presidency in a satirical and moderate way. Dunham opens the show with a solo stand-up segment, sharing personal anecdotes before bringing out his puppets. Throughout the special, Dunham incorporates jokes about political correctness and American culture. A notable aspect of the production is that minor technical glitches or Dunham's fumbles were intentionally kept in the final cut, giving it a more live performance feel.