COMEDY
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PAUL ZERDIN Vegas-bound America’s Got Talent victor shows us his dummies
Having to cancel a large chunk of a tour is not unheard of in showbusiness circles. Sometimes dates can be pulled through illness or lack of interest (that reason is definitely worse), but in Paul Zerdin’s case, he can most likely be forgiven. Let’s face it, were you ever to be offered your own residency on the Las Vegas Strip, chances are you’d be snapping that opportunity up too.
The reason behind this upsurge of interest
in Zerdin’s old-school ventriloquism act is clear: a victory in America’s Got Talent while performing with his buddies, the precocious Baby, cantankerous OAP Albert and cheeky pre-teen Sam. He even beat another Brit in the final, colourful conjuror Piff the Magic Dragon.
That glorious achievement last September may have lost a slight glimmer from its triumphant sheen when other ‘vents’ came
forward just days after he scooped the prize to cry foul over potential plagiarism. Zerdin immediately hit back claiming that his techniques were standard in the business and pre-dated even those who were bawling ‘j’accuse’.
Still, winning TV talent shows is not a new thing for Zerdin, given that he claimed the Jonathan Ross-helmed Big Big Talent Show back in 1996. Two decades on and Zerdin celebrated Yuletide 2015 by appearing on Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show in front of a mere handful of port-soaked viewers.
The phrase ‘catch him while you can’ has probably never been more pertinent. Once Paul Zerdin’s Spongefinger dates are done, will we ever see him and his sleight-of- mouth back on these shores again? (Brian Donaldson) ■ Òran Mór, Glasgow, Mon 18 Apr.
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7 Apr–2 Jun 2016 THE LIST 63