Today is the birthday of Willie Tyler of “Laugh In” fame. Willie and Lester were the first series of regulars of color on a network show, and have been blazing trails and making audiences laugh ever since. Have a good day, Willie.

To celebrate this ventriloquist and actor of “Soap” fame, here is a clip from his Tony award winning one man show, “The Two and Only.” https://youtu.be/A0cAfzT6NL8?si=3lEHsyXBFdRZrxmf

Check me out on “The Tom Barnard Show” where I talk about “250 Years of American Ventriloquism: How Ventriloquism Influenced American Culture” https://youtu.be/gAaYEZHAsOI?si=mp_juusH9txG2HJB

In honor of Juneteenth, check out Richard Potter, America’s first comedy, ventriloquial and magic superstar. Read more about him in my new book, “250 Years of American Ventriloquism: How Ventriloquism Influenced American Culture.” Read about him here! https://www.concordmonitor.com/2026/06/17/richard-potter-first-black-celebrity/

Big Announcement! I’m excited to share that my new book, “250 Years of American Ventriloquism: How Ventriloquism Influenced American Culture,” is now available on Amazon! This book explores 250 years of American ventriloquism history and examines how ventriloquists, performers, and talking figures have influenced American entertainment, popular culture, media, and society. From early performers to modern stages, television, and beyond, it traces the surprising impact of ventriloquism on the American cultural landscape. Whether you’re a fan of ventriloquism, a student of entertainment history, or simply curious about an often-overlooked aspect of American culture, I hope you’ll check it out. Thank you to everyone who has supported my research and writing. I’m thrilled to finally share this project with readers. Order off of Amazon today! https://a.co/d/0hKPDmY5