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Ventriloquism -- like terrestrial radio, like film projecting -- is a dying art, but British ventriloquist Nina Conti and her simian friend Monk singlehandedly make a case for bringing it back. With his doleful eyes, dour little old man voice and the most expressive face I've ever seen on a puppet, Monk is a work of pure genius. And Conti's ability to throw her voice is unparalleld. Nina & Monk may well be the funniest ventriloquist I have ever seen.
The British already know about Nina & Monk. Conti had a bit part in Christopher Guest's latest film, For Your Consideration, where the best thing about the film is watching her in the DVD extras. She & Monk also starred in a short-lived show called The Monkey Pilots that followed their attempt to find a suitable TV vehicle. And while all ventriloquists have a touch of meta in their acts, Nina & Monk take it to a whole other level.
Whether he's humping a pint glass, puking by the side of the road or taking the piss out of Nina, I could sit and watch Monk all day long.
Fentanyl and other drugs fuel record deaths among people experiencing homelessness in L.A. County. From 2019 to 2021, deaths jumped 70% to more than 2,200 in a single year.
