May 2018 - Posts
A Puppet's Ramblings - from Chip Martin, Mannequin
American Marketer
To View Complete Blog Click Here: http://bmpr.com/chip_martin/

In front, on the far right, Pete
Michaels and Lynn Trefzger-Joy transport their on-stage energy to the group
photo.
Chip Shot: if at first you don’t succeed, eat more fiber.
ConVENTion Reflections 9

Mary Ann Taylor and her daughter
Melissa are the creative forces behind MAT Puppets … one of the premiere soft
puppet providers in the world. After
Verna Finly retired, the baton was passed to Mary Ann.
Today, MAT Puppets makes characters
for many of the top ventriloquists in the world, including Jeff Dunham’s,
“Peanut” and Darci Farmer’s, “Oscar.”




As an aside, here’s what Darci
thinks of highly talented and likeable, Al Getler. (That’s counts as a
compliment, right? I promised Al he’d get three in this post.)
By the way, I was remiss in not
acknowledging that Al was behind labeling Mark Wade as “A great man.” It’s a
convoluted story, but I take him at his word that the phrase originated with
him. It was uttered by someone else; but he gave her the phrase. (That’s two compliments.)


Mary Ann and Melissa have made
original characters and backup copies of existing characters for Dale and
provided lifesaving emergency puppet repairs while he was on the road doing shows.
In short, they are awesome.

Above: Mary Ann and Melissa with
some of their creations and customers. (Looks like Al Moessinger, in the red
shirt, forgot his puppet.)

Al Getler often picks up puppets
from dealers’ tables, acting like he may make a purchase … but he never does.


The last couple of photos were
taken at the Drawbridge … and Al still owns that shirt … and that classic pose
that he seems to have every time he picks up a puppet.

The photo above is from a
ConVENTion at the Drawbridge many, many years ago. Notice how life-like the
puppet is in Al’s highly skilled hands. (That’s another compliment, right?)
Originally, I claimed that Al
ambushed us in the hallway and demanded to have his picture taken with us. That
was probably harsh. It was true … but harsh, none-the-less.

Dale and Al examining a vent figure
that neither of them is qualified to use in an entertaining manner. (I guess
that could be said for any vent figure.)
Al Sucks
Up to is a Friend of Jeff Dunham 
Jeff Dunham and Al have been friends for decades. Below is a clip from the Biography Channel special "Jeff Dunham:
Birth of a Dummy" used with permission of the producers.
In the 3-minute clip you will see and hear stories
told by Al and Jeff about Jeff's career, ventriloquism, and the challenges
ventriloquists face to be recognized as legitimate comedians. That fact that Jeff is recognized by the
Guinness Book of World Records as selling the most concert tickets of any
comedian in the world, must stick in the craws of some.
Al Getler on Jeff Dunham's Birth of a Dummy from algetler on Vimeo.
A Puppet's Ramblings - from Chip Martin, Mannequin
American Marketer
To View Complete Blog Click Here: http://bmpr.com/chip_martin/
NSFW

Chip Shot: Alcohol is never the answer. But it does make
you forget the question.
Trash and Trinkets from the Royal Wedding
There are a lot of weird items
for sale that tie in with the Royal Wedding. You may struggle to choose between Crown
Jewels condoms, dead-eyed commemorative dolls, and even a celebratory sick bag.
I rounded up a few of the
weirdest things for sale.

Someday your prince with cum.




Best Sign of the Week

Clever Marketing


Design Miscue

Sip Slow!!

Grant Thornton: Status Go (Cocktail - :30) from gyro on Vimeo.
Grant Thornton has come out with
new commercials that are really entertaining. I think this one is the best and the funniest.

A Puppet's Ramblings - from Chip Martin, Mannequin
American Marketer
To View Complete Blog Click Here: http://bmpr.com/chip_martin/
Chip Shot: “Vegetarian” is an old Indian term meaning “bad hunter.”

ConVENTion Reflections 8 …
a Great Man
A continuing Tuesday hodge-podge of photos we’ve collected
from nearly 40 years of attending Ventriloquist ConVENTions.

For many years the Vent Haven Museum Board of
Advisors took turns chairing the Ventriloquists’ ConVENTion. Believe me, it’s
not an easy task.
Then, nearly 15 years ago, Mark Wade
volunteered to become the perennial ConVENTion Chairperson … and everyone
cheered … and we’ve been cheering ever since!

Dale and I have lectured with Mark,
performed with Mark, written books with Mark, traveled with Mark, been on panels
with Mark, filled in when Mark asked us to, and in general, helped bail him out
and make him look good, for many, many years.
During all those years ... not once,
has Mark picked up a check.

I
think most people who attend the ConVENTion quickly realize that the person who
does the real work, who keeps things going while letting Mark believe he’s in
charge, is Jodi Wade.

A rare photo at Vent Haven--of Dale dressed
better than Mark.

Above: Mark lets himself go and
laughs at a comment made by Chip Martin during a co-lecture with Dale on
Audience Participation.

Dale and I were in attendance when
a convention attendee labeled Mark, “A great man.” I’m sorry I don’t remember
who that attendee was. But the title “A great man,” has stuck … and we’ve had a
lot of fun with it … and now Mark believes it to be fact.

Dale, Leslie, Jodie and Mark
waiting for the start of Terry Fator’s show in Cincinnati. I’d identify the
others in the photo … but you know who you are.

If you don’t think Mark gets confused
occasionally, here he is in a photo of first-time conVENTion attendees. (For
the record, it was Mark’s 40th ConVENTion.)

Dan Horn and Jim Barber deliver the
bad news that a conVENTion sign has been damaged. Mark delivers the bad news
that Dan and Jim will have to pay for it.

One of Mark’s favorite activities is putting
up with all of the media that show up at each conVENTion. (Truth be told, it’s
his least favorite duty.)

With the W.S. Berger Award, Mark graciously
acknowledges the efforts of others who go above and beyond in promoting the art
of ventriloquism, giving of their time and talents to help others, supporting
the ConVENTion and assisting Vent Haven. Last year Mark recognized our good
friend, and well-deserved recipient, Chuck Lyons. (We’re still waiting for
ours.)

Nine losers and a great man.

A Puppet's Ramblings - from Chip Martin, Mannequin
American Marketer
To View Complete Blog Click Here: http://bmpr.com/chip_martin/

From Dale Brown’s Muppet collection, “Fozzie the ventriloquist.”
Chip Shot: The fact that poo doesn’t smell until it’s out
of the body is severely underrated.
Questionable Marketing




Science World Facts



People You’re Allowed to Despise



Famous Finger Collection

In this hilarious ad from Prostate
Cancer Canada, doctors are testing a new line of prostate exam gloves
modelled after fingers of famous people.
Hilarious Pornhub Socks Ad
(SFW)

Brilliant and
funny. “You may go solo, but you come hard.” Introducing Pornhub Socks: The first
pro apparel for your feet and your hands.

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