Saturday, September 23, 2017

Somewhere Shari Lewis is smiling

As many of you know, I'm a ol' curmudgeon.  I've never been a big fan of AMERICA'S GOT TALENT.  To me it's just a way to do a TV variety show where you don't have to pay the performers.

But one act in particular attracted my attention.   Darci Lynne.  I've featured her before.  This is the 12 year ventriloquist that is absolutely amazing.  Her puppets sing -- well enough to win THE VOICE.  I must admit she has even melted this cynic's heart.

She just won this year's AMERICA'S GOT TALENT and I found myself cheering.  She's also funny and amazingly poised.  For those not familiar with her, or those that want to see her again, this was her performance in the finals.  She upped the ante by having two puppets singing (in very different styles).  Yeah, call me an old softie but I love this kid.    And she doesn't work blue.  Check her out.

19 comments :

Ben said...

And she's only been doing it for 2 years.

Tom Galloway said...

I believe the prize includes doing a run of shows in Las Vegas. I'll be curious how that gets developed and advertised, although there is at least one excellent long running all ages show there, namely Mac King's comedy magic. It is, however, an afternoon show rather than an evening one.

VP81955 said...

For Vegas, alcohol-free matinees, most likely.

And IIRC, Shari tailored her live shows to specific audiences, so at adult venues such as Vegas casinos, Lambchop and company could get a bit suggestive (though not raunchy at all by today's standards). She was brilliant.

Mr. Hollywood said...

A little too precious for me. A little too studied and practiced ... like a kid robot

Barry Traylor said...

Wow! This kid is really good.

Jeff Maxwell said...

I bought Paul Winchell's how to be a ventriloquist book when I was 11. Characters and different voices came easy, but I could never really perfect making "a dottle of deer" sound exactly like "a bottle of beer." So I gave up.

I loved Shari Lewis. I loved Lambchop. I wanted to be Lambchop so I could hang with Shari.

Darci is the real deal. Anybody doesn't think so, just try holding a puppet in each hand, give them movement, a voice, an attitude, hopes and dreams...and then make them SING, all while smiling and relating to them and an audience. Oh yeah, and don't move your lips if you say bottle of beer.

Wendy M. Grossman said...

Folks here - including Ken - might be interested in this piece from the Guardian, which talks to the showrunners of NARCOS, TRANSPARENT, and SILICON VALLEY about how their writers' rooms work: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/sep/23/secrets-of-the-tv-writers-rooms-tv-narcos-silicon-valley-transparent

wg

Mike Barer said...

Holy Cow!!!

Jim said...

"a bottle of beer."

The ventriloquist you really want to see is Arthur Worsley, who regularly used to make his dummy turn to him and shout in his face "I bet you can't say 'a bottle of beer' without moving your lips"

ScottyB said...

Awesome job. Even awesomer if she made both of them sing at the same time. While drinking a glass of water. But you're right: Somewhere, Shari Lewis is smiling.

ScottyB said...

Bottle of beer? Kinda simple: Vottle a veer.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ken,
No Friday question here, just watching HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm marathon, and....Ted Danson is a fucking treasure. Love him.

Okay, 'nuff said.

Mike Schryver said...

"Ted Danson is a fucking treasure."
Speaking of Ted Danson, THE GOOD PLACE premiered the other night. Because of plot developments, there are new aspects to his character this season and he's just killing it. Amazing.

Fusillijohnny said...

What did Regis say at the end of the infomercial for the Best Of Dean Martin: "...back when entertainment was entertaining." This girl is pure Vaudeville and that is a compliment.

Klee said...

FRIDAY QUESTION Is it true Kirstie Alley refused to appear on it due to: "The notable exception is Kirstie Alley, who called Lee after the concept of the spinoff was announced, he said. Alley coldly informed him that since she is a Scientologist and doesn't believe in psychiatry, she would be unable to appear on the program. "My response," Lee said wryly, "was, `I don't recall asking."?

Matt said...

My favorite actor was Diavalo. It was the most interesting dance act I have ever seen. I would have made Darci second.

However even before the finale Preacher Lawson was making jokes in night clubs about losing to Darci.

Mike Bloodworth said...

I loved Shari Lewis. She had an edge that was subtle, yet distinct. But she lost in after she started her kids show on public television. I grew up watching "Winchell-Mahoney Time." Its one of those shows that makes me wonder if I would still enjoy it as much as an adult. As for Darci Lynne, she may be great. I wouldn't know. Because I DON'T WATCH so called "reality T.V." Between that and runaway production, extra work dried up in this town. It causes me to be ignorant of many pop-culture references still, I'm not going to feed the beast that's killing me.

JoeyH said...

Awesome

Mike Barer said...

I remember the old school ventriloquists that would take a drag off a cigarette while the dummy was talking.