What: Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: The Tacoma Dome

Tickets: $42.50

Info: 253-572-3663; www.ticketmaster.com Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham will be the first to admit his form of comedy doesn’t have a reputation for being cutting edge.

But what invokes images of Vaudeville and Charlie McCarthy in older generations has become hip again – and very popular – to the Comedy Central generation.

Dunham, who’s bringing his collection of puppets to the Tacoma Dome on Thursday, is as amazed as anyone.

“I am actually cool to my teenage girls. That’s a miracle beyond miracles,” he said.

Dunham is quite possibly the most popular comic in the country right now – and gaining an international following.

 • He’s the top grossing standup act in America, according to Pollstar.

 • His 2008 Christmas special drew 6.6 million viewers, the most-watched telecast in Comedy Central history.

 • His Achmed video has been viewed more than 97 million times on YouTube.

 • He appeared last week on NBC’s “30 Rock.”

 • His new Comedy Central show, billed as a “reality comedy show,” debuted last month on the cable network.

So it’s hard to fathom the veteran comedian almost threw in the towel a few years ago when he could barely support his family on the comedy club circuit.

“Failure is what I was getting close to,” he said of those days when he was performing six shows a week, 40 weeks of the year. He was popular, just not enough to justify the grueling schedule.

“I felt like I was under the ice and couldn’t break through.”

Then his concert DVD, “Arguing With Myself,” came out and it quickly hit best-seller status. That was followed by two more hit DVDs.

Finally, his Achmed the dead terrorist video went viral when it struck a chord in post-9/11 America and the rest of the world.

“When you are selling out Oslo and Helsinki, something weird has cracked,” Dunham said. “That’s when it got to be a very strange but good place.”

We caught up with Dunham for a phone interview from LA.

Your numbers are impressive but how do you define success?

I had this dream as a kid to do exactly what’s happening right now. I’ve never turned my back on it. For me, success is what’s happening right now.

How tough is ventriloquism on the vocal chords?

Ventriloquism is easy – it’s the comedy that’s hard.

What are people responding to?

I’m not saying I’m Edgar Bergen. But we have generations that have not seen that (ventriloquism) before. I’ve tried to keep it edgy and controversial. I hope I’ve painted a new patina on this old, tired art.

Who’s currently in your “suitcase posse”?

Peanut, Walter, Achmed, Jose and Bubba J.

Do you have a favorite?

I’m a bit of a chameleon when it comes to having a favorite. Whatever that particular audience of the night is liking the most, I’m having fun right along with them.

What makes Achmed so popular?

I think folks really want to hear what a dead terrorist would say. And then when they realize this particular terrorist is a bumbling idiot with problems in life, they realize he’s human. I heard a great comic say once that if you aren’t offending a couple of people here and there, you’re not pushing the envelope enough. I know there’s a fine line, but I feel that most folks have a good sense of humor and can take a joke. We had no idea he would go worldwide.

Your Comedy Central show involves you and your characters interacting with real people in real situations: a relationship counselor, a shooting range, a date with Brooke Hogan. Is it scripted?

It’s a lot of ad-libbing and a lot of goofy stuff. And I’m proud of the fact it has no socially redeeming value whatsoever. … People will do anything to get on TV.

Like floating a balloon across Colorado and telling people their kid is on it?

You know what I called that? “Wizard of Oz” meets Anne Frank.

Are you looking forward to visiting the Northwest?

I actually like the dreary weather. It was raining here in LA recently, and it was so nice. I get sick of the sunny weather. You wake up on Christmas and it’s 80 degrees outside. That’s not right.

Craig Sailor: 253-597-8541

craig.sailor@thenewstribune.com