Ventriloquism - Not Just for Dummies

Cathy Winthrop, MA — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 11:35:19 GMT

I was always inerested but at the same time a little creeped out!

Ventriloquism - Not Just for Dummies

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:50:25 GMT

Dear Brian, First of all you look great at thirty-six and if you want to think your twenty-nine that's okay. The story about the ventriloquists was very funny and it does take quite alot of talent to make work well. I wish you the best trying to work with that chicken puppet and maybe you will master something better than just making it nod. And finally, I too remember the JC Penney catalog and Charlie McCarthy. Although Charlie McCarthy was before my time alittle. Anyway, fun story to watch, Thanks Brian!

Ventriloquism - Not Just for Dummies

Steve Axtell — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 14:52:29 GMT

Cool piece...thanks for doing this story! Where are your publicity photos?

Ventriloquism - Not Just for Dummies

Brian Lewandowski, Fort Wayne, IN — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 19:25:44 GMT

This beginning of this story rings all too true. It is exactly as I remember it with the circling in the JC Penny's catalogue every Christmas until it arrived. As I unwrapped the box, which was as large as me at the time, my childhood wonder quickly turned to blood-curdling terror. There, staring back at me, was Howdy Doody in all of his potentially demonic menace.

I didn't even make it to bedtime that holiday before my imagination and lack of stature overtook my fragile sense of reality. He looked like so much fun on the glossy pages of the annual holiday tome of toys. However, in all of his three-dimensional glory, somehow concealed pure evil behind those lifeless eyes. Surely he would wait to get me alone and throttle my neck with an evil cackle that chattered from that puppet mouth.

In a move that would make Hulk Hogan proud (except for the tears of terror), I held the beast above me head and chucked him toward the Christmas tree as if driving a stake into the heart of a vampire. I wanted one thing, and that was for him to go back to whatever infernal toy factory in hell from which he spawned.

In retrospect, I feel bad for my grandmother who worked long and hard hours (at JC Penny’s at the catalogue department no less) to buy him in hopes of fulfilling a childhood Christmas wish. How could she have known what diabolical plans that puppet had held for me, nor how I dodged that proverbial bullet and saved my very soul that fateful Christmas Eve.

It was years before I could ever rest easy in the presence of these cursed creatures. Always glancing out of the corner of my eye for inadvertent movement when they were left unaided by human hands. I had foiled their attempt once, and was quite sure they were now plotting their collective revenge...perhaps they were in league with the clowns.

Ventriloquism - Not Just for Dummies

Chuck Davis, Vancouver, BC Canada — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 20:01:01 GMT

Many years ago, when I worked in television in Vancouver, I interviewed Edgar Bergen AND Mortimer Snerd. People even older than Brian, like me, will remember that Snerd was a freckled hick whose IQ was around 38. Except that, sitting on Bergen's knee, Snerd kept up a running series of gags at my expense that had me falling off my chair and marvelling at Edgar Bergen's skill. Sure, his lips moved, but his TIMING was exquisite. At one point, after I had asked Mortimer a question, he (Mortimer) sighed and looked up at Bergen and shook his head in disbelief.

I've never forgotten that terrific experience.

Ventriloquism - Not Just for Dummies

Ruth Means — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 21:01:50 GMT

I got up at five AM so I wouldn't miss it. I wanted to see more! Keep at it, you'll get that baby cry just right before you know it!

Ventriloquism - Not Just for Dummies

Matt Bronsil, Changhua, Taiwan — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 01:11:20 GMT

I am glad you had a great time. The ventriloquist convention is always a blast.

Ventriloquism - Not Just for Dummies

Michelle Dubrovsky, Cincinnati, OH — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 02:14:55 GMT

What a fun story! It was nice to see something unique and funny when the news can be so depressing sometimes. I loved the photo session!
I haven't seen you on the show before... Hope to see you again doing more goofy things!! And no, you don't look 36!

Ventriloquism - Not Just for Dummies

Gev Tavadia, Pune, Maharashtra, India — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 07:21:18 GMT

what would we do without guys like you
who turn out fantastic stuff we look forward to
for all like us who did not make it there
wow Brian this shows for "Us Vents" you care

thanks and God Bless

Gev

Ventriloquism - Not Just for Dummies

Tom Myers — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:09:23 GMT

Thanks for covering the VentHaven 2007 Convention. As a first time attendee at this year's convention too. I had a great time meeting other vents and learning more about the art and craft. Is it possible to download copy of your video story? I'm sure it won't stay available on line forever. Thanks again!

Ventriloquism - Not Just for Dummies

Mariann Martin Radford,VA — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:40:47 GMT

Brian,
Thanks for coming to Vent Haven '07 ('Heaven' is more like it, really). It's such an upbeat place where creativity and skills definitely can, and do, run 'amuck'.
I do hope you will return in '08 and see what else is added. It's ever-changing. Perhaps practice the art and 'strut' your new 'hobby'. I'm sure we'd all agree--you'd definitely have a 'captive' audience.

Ventriloquism - Not Just for Dummies

Brian Balthazar, NBC, New York — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:04:02 GMT

Thank you so much for your comments!
I really had an amazing time... My Axtell puppet (the Chicken, which I really love) is still nameless - so I'm open to suggestions.
My dog is incredibly disturbed by it.