Review Fix Exclusive: Jay Johnson Talks ‘Jay Johnson: The Two and Only’

Review Fix chats with TV icon and ventriloquist Jay Johnson, who discusses the DVD version of his Tony Award-winning show, “Jay Johnson: The Two and Only.” If you grew up in the 70s and 80s, Johnson was a household name. Co-starring on the hit TV show “Soap” and appearing on countless others the likes of “The Love Boat,” “Gimme a Break!,” “The Facts of Life” and “Empty Nest,” Johnson, for the lack of a better term, was that generation’s Jeff Dunham.

Review Fix: This production has a ton of heart and is very intimate. How do you write something like that, which educates and entertains?

Jay Johnson: I wrote this show as an examination of who I am and what I do for a living.  Obviously one cannot live a satisfying life without heart, so that was just a matter of being honest with myself.  I also realized that almost nobody would know the history of Ventriloquism or why I would be attracted to that art form, so a little bit of education was needed on the subject.  I have always been an entertainer so making it funny and entertaining was the starting point. Adding the “heady” / “hearty” elements was the challenge.

Review Fix: What do you think makes this production special?

Johnson: It is not up to the artist to have an opinion on how his art is interpreted. If it is special,  then “special” is a subjective adjective unique to anyone who sees the show.  For me the production is special because I get to explain the art form of ventriloquism in a way that is not demeaning, dysfunctional or pandering.  Ventriloquism is usually depicted in stories as the psychosis of a nerdy misfit who is usually the villain of the tale. My tale is more of a love story.

Review Fix: What’s your favorite part? Why?

Johnson: Every scene in the show is my favorite.  The show consists of all the things I like to talk about and the characters I like to work with.  Since this show is the “come back” for my original character SQUEAKY the scene explaining why he did not get the part on SOAP is perhaps my nostalgic pick.

Review Fix: How did you feel the first time you saw it on DVD?

Johnson: I don’t like to watch myself on film. Performing live you can adjust, change mood, jump on an ad-lib and adapt to the moment.  Watching a film of yourself requires that you give up all control of that performance. People who do solo shows are usually control freaks so it is not my favorite experience.

Review Fix: What was it like to work with Bryan Simon? How do you think he changed the production?

Johnson: Bryan Simon is a friend and a joy to work with. Although he is not a ventriloquist he understands the art form and respectfully protects it. His hardest job was trying not to change the production. The show was written and conceived to be performed live in a theatre.  To translate “Jay Johnson: The Two and Only”  into the medium of a film was extremely difficult.  We wanted it to be like the experience an audience would have in the theatre if they had the best seat in the house.  In reality there isn’t a seat in any theater that would allow for the incredible angles and close ups one gets in the DVD version.  It was a tight rope walk but I think with Bryan’s background in theatre as well as film we were able to get there.

Review Fix: How do you want it to be remembered?

Johnson: “Jay Johnson: The Two and Only” is the apex of my life long dream as a performer. I hope it will be remembered as a Valentine to the art of ventriloquism and to all inspired teachers and mentors like my friend Arthur Sieving.

Review Fix: What are you working on now?

Johnson: The obvious answer is “trying to sell this DVD.”  Along with that going venture, I have found my muse in writing. I have written several scripts since this show.    The written word seems to be the purest form of entertainment.  From my imagination to yours no compromises. But the real answer to “what I am working on” is this:  like all artists I am always working on better ways to express myself to others.