Re: *Peanut* puppet by tsu Posted by tsu on Apr 27, 2009
Sorry for delay, guys. 
Haha, luv ya for this part.
But yeah, Peanut is the one that would get into trouble because he's so foul-mouthed
I will protect and hide him from an enraged and offended crowd and then somebody whack me on the mouth, hah.
The entire story started in the coach from Taunton to London that day. We were forced to drive behind a tractor for a few miles with no possibility to pass it that's why we were late for about 15-20mins (we supposed to be in London at 13:10, but were around 30). We stood outside the Hammersmith station looking around where to go to hit the hotel. We had our printed Google map but it was not very accurate so we turned on wrong direction - then I saw Hammersmith Apollo with that big inscription: "Jeff Dunham" and decided to go there and take a photo of it just because the sky was bright now etc.
We hit the wrong side of the street, had to go back, go around and finally we did hit the venue. Picture was taken, I took my suitcase (with Peanut inside; poor, bent Peanut with his legs next to the head... - but during the journey he was on my knee, hehe) and was prepared to go away when a taxi came. Three people came out and asked us (me and my friend) whether we arrived to see Jeff. I nodded and one lady said they came from the US. I was surprised and thought:
--- "huge fans, they want to see Jeff even in Europe"
...and was again prepared to go away.
--- "I'm a Jeff's manager"
I stopped myself in a split second.
As you guys know, I meditated on the copyrights issues a lot and was wondering if would be able to bring Peanut in so she was the right person to ask for it. I was a bit afraid to tell her about my puppet but I did it with no hesitation – had no choice. We tried to pull Peanut out from the suitcase but my friend's hands were shaking too much and Peanut got stuck somehow (poor Peanut...) - I had to do that myself and grabbed Peanut's neck to pull him out (POOOOOOR, almost strangled Peanut.....).
I think she liked him, her reaction was very expressive that was soooo nice to me. She said:
--- "He's amazing, you must bring him in".
I felt so honored.
There was a guy with them too, Jeff's DVDs producer, as he was introduced to me. They wanted to film me with my Peanut... I thought then:
--- "yyy, eee" - yeah, very constructive thought.
Jeff's manager gave me her business card and cell number to contact her if I would hit any problems with getting in with Peanut.
Then we scattered.
It was a question of 2-3mins and we would miss ourselves.
If our coach was not late due to the tractor, if we did not turn on the wrong direction, if I did not want to take a picture in front of the venue --- we would not meet each other at all.
That's why I can't believe in a coincidence anymore.
About 1/2 hour before door open we went out to go to the pub. People were staring at me, kept asking "where did I buy Peanut" and couldn't believe I made him. They were taking photos of my puppet at the pub --- that was quite funny when one guy was pretending he writes a text message and when a flash light hit my eyes.
But the worst was just ahead! --- approaching the venue seeing those queues in front of.
I tried not to look at the people that were staring at me. Hah, I had to pick my tickets up at the box office so I didn't need to wait in an queue anyway, that's good, that's good, that's gooood!. ;]
Was really funny when people passing me by were yelling "Peanut! Look, Peanut!".
My friend thought Jeff's manager wanted to see us when we hit the venue, but we weren't sure. He insisted on to call her, and he did.
After couple of minutes she came with two guys with camera and microphone. She said, she would like to interview me. My friend carried Peanut then (just before I looked for something in my bag) and then suddenly gave him back to me (why?!).
We tried to find an appropriate place for interview but was too loud inside the venue among all those people who came to see Jeff.
Was quite funny but still so embarrassing for me when we were walking through the chairs and people --- Judi, Peanut and I, two guys with camera and microphone --- people were staring and I felt soooo shamefaced then, but happy at once.
We went outside and they interviewed me. I never had that situation before that my mouth went completely dry. I could not peel my upper lip off of my teeth, Jesus Christ! Hehe.
I just hope my English was not too much broken
I remember when she asked me if I make puppets for trade --- "No, Peanut is a second puppet I have ever made".
Ah, I even made a "purple hands" for myself --- Judi said, I was all set up, hehe.
Judi told me, she spoke with Jeff and he was very interested in seeing my Peanut and was joking around that from now on I'll be building puppets for him --- I felt so nice and proud even though that was just a joke.
After an interview Judi told me to stay in our seats when the show is finished --- she will take us to Jeff.
In the hall people were asking me to take a photo of Peanut, tried to elbow their way to me among all the seats – I felt ashamed but so nice at once.
The show was great, I suppose I don't even need to say this, it's so obvious.
After performance was finished Judi took us backstage. We waited for Jeff a couple of minutes --- I couldn't recognize him at first! He came in following Judi and DVDs' producer. I just thought he's taller, couldn't see him behind their backs and was still looking at the door for him...
He grabbed Peanut's hands and spoke to me --- then I realized his was standing in front of my person.
I suppose he was amazed with my Peanut, I would like him to be. He said he's the same skin, fur, hair – I felt really, really good then. He took him, asked if "he works" --- I hadn't even chance to finish my "yeS" when he put his hand inside Peanut.
I even didn't know when they started taking photos, I even didn't pull my camera out. I was shocked, paralyzed, everything was so exciting and that's why... I was not able to talk with him. I wanted to tell him a lot, to tell him a story about my Peanut – how did I start with this puppet etc., but I just couldn't say a word – it was not a language barrier, it was a shock.
I bear a grudge against myself that I wasted that great opportunity - first and maybe the last one at once - and regret a lot, but there is nothing I can change now. Everything just passed and what has left is the great memoirs...
Hope he will recall me and my Peanut in the future even if it's only for a while.
Oh, some more photos:
With Peanut in the hall, just before the show started.
Enjoying the sun in London.
I the hotel before before we went out to see Jeff.
Posted by
are you going to tour with Jeff and become the off stage guardian for Peanut......he looks like the one that would get into trouble? LOL
Haha, luv ya for this part.
But yeah, Peanut is the one that would get into trouble because he's so foul-mouthed
I will protect and hide him from an enraged and offended crowd and then somebody whack me on the mouth, hah.
The entire story started in the coach from Taunton to London that day. We were forced to drive behind a tractor for a few miles with no possibility to pass it that's why we were late for about 15-20mins (we supposed to be in London at 13:10, but were around 30). We stood outside the Hammersmith station looking around where to go to hit the hotel. We had our printed Google map but it was not very accurate so we turned on wrong direction - then I saw Hammersmith Apollo with that big inscription: "Jeff Dunham" and decided to go there and take a photo of it just because the sky was bright now etc.
We hit the wrong side of the street, had to go back, go around and finally we did hit the venue. Picture was taken, I took my suitcase (with Peanut inside; poor, bent Peanut with his legs next to the head... - but during the journey he was on my knee, hehe) and was prepared to go away when a taxi came. Three people came out and asked us (me and my friend) whether we arrived to see Jeff. I nodded and one lady said they came from the US. I was surprised and thought:
--- "huge fans, they want to see Jeff even in Europe"
...and was again prepared to go away.
--- "I'm a Jeff's manager"
I stopped myself in a split second.
As you guys know, I meditated on the copyrights issues a lot and was wondering if would be able to bring Peanut in so she was the right person to ask for it. I was a bit afraid to tell her about my puppet but I did it with no hesitation – had no choice. We tried to pull Peanut out from the suitcase but my friend's hands were shaking too much and Peanut got stuck somehow (poor Peanut...) - I had to do that myself and grabbed Peanut's neck to pull him out (POOOOOOR, almost strangled Peanut.....).
I think she liked him, her reaction was very expressive that was soooo nice to me. She said:
--- "He's amazing, you must bring him in".
I felt so honored.
There was a guy with them too, Jeff's DVDs producer, as he was introduced to me. They wanted to film me with my Peanut... I thought then:
--- "yyy, eee" - yeah, very constructive thought.
Jeff's manager gave me her business card and cell number to contact her if I would hit any problems with getting in with Peanut.
Then we scattered.
It was a question of 2-3mins and we would miss ourselves.
If our coach was not late due to the tractor, if we did not turn on the wrong direction, if I did not want to take a picture in front of the venue --- we would not meet each other at all.
That's why I can't believe in a coincidence anymore.
About 1/2 hour before door open we went out to go to the pub. People were staring at me, kept asking "where did I buy Peanut" and couldn't believe I made him. They were taking photos of my puppet at the pub --- that was quite funny when one guy was pretending he writes a text message and when a flash light hit my eyes.
But the worst was just ahead! --- approaching the venue seeing those queues in front of.
I tried not to look at the people that were staring at me. Hah, I had to pick my tickets up at the box office so I didn't need to wait in an queue anyway, that's good, that's good, that's gooood!. ;]
Was really funny when people passing me by were yelling "Peanut! Look, Peanut!".
My friend thought Jeff's manager wanted to see us when we hit the venue, but we weren't sure. He insisted on to call her, and he did.
After couple of minutes she came with two guys with camera and microphone. She said, she would like to interview me. My friend carried Peanut then (just before I looked for something in my bag) and then suddenly gave him back to me (why?!
).We tried to find an appropriate place for interview but was too loud inside the venue among all those people who came to see Jeff.
Was quite funny but still so embarrassing for me when we were walking through the chairs and people --- Judi, Peanut and I, two guys with camera and microphone --- people were staring and I felt soooo shamefaced then, but happy at once.
We went outside and they interviewed me. I never had that situation before that my mouth went completely dry. I could not peel my upper lip off of my teeth, Jesus Christ! Hehe.
I just hope my English was not too much broken
I remember when she asked me if I make puppets for trade --- "No, Peanut is a second puppet I have ever made".
Ah, I even made a "purple hands" for myself --- Judi said, I was all set up, hehe.
Judi told me, she spoke with Jeff and he was very interested in seeing my Peanut and was joking around that from now on I'll be building puppets for him --- I felt so nice and proud even though that was just a joke.
After an interview Judi told me to stay in our seats when the show is finished --- she will take us to Jeff.
In the hall people were asking me to take a photo of Peanut, tried to elbow their way to me among all the seats – I felt ashamed but so nice at once.
The show was great, I suppose I don't even need to say this, it's so obvious.
After performance was finished Judi took us backstage. We waited for Jeff a couple of minutes --- I couldn't recognize him at first! He came in following Judi and DVDs' producer. I just thought he's taller, couldn't see him behind their backs and was still looking at the door for him...
He grabbed Peanut's hands and spoke to me --- then I realized his was standing in front of my person.
I suppose he was amazed with my Peanut, I would like him to be. He said he's the same skin, fur, hair – I felt really, really good then. He took him, asked if "he works" --- I hadn't even chance to finish my "yeS" when he put his hand inside Peanut.
I even didn't know when they started taking photos, I even didn't pull my camera out. I was shocked, paralyzed, everything was so exciting and that's why... I was not able to talk with him. I wanted to tell him a lot, to tell him a story about my Peanut – how did I start with this puppet etc., but I just couldn't say a word – it was not a language barrier, it was a shock.
I bear a grudge against myself that I wasted that great opportunity - first and maybe the last one at once - and regret a lot, but there is nothing I can change now. Everything just passed and what has left is the great memoirs...
Hope he will recall me and my Peanut in the future even if it's only for a while.
Oh, some more photos:
With Peanut in the hall, just before the show started.
Enjoying the sun in London.
I the hotel before before we went out to see Jeff.
Re: *Peanut* puppet by tsu Posted by tsu on Apr 27, 2009
Thank you for your comment, Jon!
You're right, I'm very proud even though I haven't spoken with Jeff a lot because I was paralyzed.
Verna Finley created Peanut (together with Jeff, obviously), as you said, then she retired and Mary Ann Tylor has taken Peanut into her wings.
Thank you once again, it was very encouraging!
@Brenda --- I think you would be able to see Jeff Dunham a lot sooner than I will (if I would ever at all...), so I envy you that you're in the USA.
You're right, I'm very proud even though I haven't spoken with Jeff a lot because I was paralyzed.
Verna Finley created Peanut (together with Jeff, obviously), as you said, then she retired and Mary Ann Tylor has taken Peanut into her wings.
Thank you once again, it was very encouraging!
@Brenda --- I think you would be able to see Jeff Dunham a lot sooner than I will (if I would ever at all...), so I envy you that you're in the USA.
Re: *Peanut* puppet by tsu Posted by LJ on Apr 27, 2009
What a fantastic story!! Thanks for sharing it with us!! And like everyone else - I am jealous!! You certainly will have fond memories to look back at over and over!! WOW!! 
Re: *Peanut* puppet by tsu Posted by tsu on Apr 27, 2009
SHould, to be honest, I don't remember. It was like a... he grabbed Peanut's hands (because I was still looking at the door) and said, if I remember well, that he's amazing. I even don't remember if I gave Peanut to him or he just took him himself --- geez, I really don't remember, I just realized that... Then Jeff asked whether my puppet works, I tried to say "yeS", but he put Peanut on before I had a chance to finish.
And what happened next?
--- I think he grabbed my arm holding Peanut in another whilst those two guys who had video camera and microphone started to take photos (then my friend came in frame... so Jeff came in the middle with Peanut). More people came with cameras then and after that "clamour" (positive one!) Judi gave me a marker for Jeff to make a signature (Peanut's sneaker was the target finally). Then he stood next to me, started with "he has the same skin" etc. ... and I... I just couldn't say a word. As you told you story wit Hubert Reeves --- my brain just collapsed and I stood like a tree there. Lost a great opportunity to start talking with Jeff. Grrr, can't forgive myself I did nothing.
LJ - I know, I know... but still... Eh.
And what happened next?
--- I think he grabbed my arm holding Peanut in another whilst those two guys who had video camera and microphone started to take photos (then my friend came in frame... so Jeff came in the middle with Peanut). More people came with cameras then and after that "clamour" (positive one!) Judi gave me a marker for Jeff to make a signature (Peanut's sneaker was the target finally). Then he stood next to me, started with "he has the same skin" etc. ... and I... I just couldn't say a word. As you told you story wit Hubert Reeves --- my brain just collapsed and I stood like a tree there. Lost a great opportunity to start talking with Jeff. Grrr, can't forgive myself I did nothing.
LJ - I know, I know... but still...
Eh.Re: *Peanut* puppet by tsu Posted by tsu on Apr 27, 2009
Thank you Shawn.
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