In the first episode of American Conventions, Taji Ameen visits the world's largest gathering of ventriloquists. WATCH NEXT: American Obsessions - bit.ly/2gg48dH

Only Taji can weird people out at a puppet convention

I love how taji is just a guinea pig and doesn't mind the torture he goes through for vice

Taji has huge balls for doing his ventriloquist act 😂

Im just watching this for context on the hippie vid lmao

It's so difficult to discern whether the reporter is a master at subtle comedy, or if he's just unironically awkward. Either way, I like it.

This guy is more socially awkward than the ventriloquist kids....

The kid with an old man puppet sounds so eloquent. Hope he's doing well

School can be HELL for some. Thank goodness Jeff’s mom supported him on escaping the negative institution.

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="177">2:57</a> _"This is my girlfriend, Zsa Zsa."_ Honestly thought that man was referring to his dog puppet.

Taji is honestly a man of great confidence. I could never get up on stage and do an act ever, let alone a 6 minute ventriloquist act without even having a puppet. Taji did it, it went as expected, and then he put it on the internet. He plays awkward but he has an iron core.

The young man Landon had a certain spark to him that made me think he will be capable of realizing his ambition

If only everyone had this kind of passion for something benign like that, the world would be a better place, less violent and filled with whacky conventions

These people are obviously skilled 😊 Ventriloquism is not my thing, but I'm glad for them and I'm glad they're able to gather and mingle with each other.

That kid with the old guy puppet looks like a Disney Chanel kid

Florence the Funny Bird is actually a pretty good act. The lifeless deformed balloon that falls apart over time is genius.

I wish vice did more personal interviews like this with this segment. Getting to know people, their different struggles and lives..

God damn the balloon puppet made me laugh more than any others.

I love how sweet the ventriloquist judges were

Who else came from the hippie episode?

omg cringing so bad at the host's open mic night

The whole conversation w/ Jeff made me remember how hard school was for me and I never realized how it actually gave me a chance to study people....

"Sorry if i scared your children with my bird." hahahahahaha

that little kid has it on lock! respect! but why do all the puppets look so damn creepy ffs cant you make something cute instead of something utterly terrifying haha.

This reporter seems to be Ethan Klein's tanned younger brother lol!

Funny enough the only cringe moments are from the reporter.

that puppet balloon looks like a mockery of the convention.

The Host is the most awkard person there.

I’m absolutely stoned and hammered while watching this and It’s hard to focus on it because I’ve been calling my cat towards me for like 5 full minutes.

My man had to leave High School mid Junior year due to his mental health. He's basically a genius. He can play/learn to play any instrument by ear. When learning it doesn't take any time at all for him to pick it right up. He also remembers almost everything he reads. I can ask him questions on almost every subject, and he can almost always reply with a detailed answer. He also genuinely enjoys solving Math problems. He really loves doing long, complex problems that I can't even begin to do on paper, all in his head. All of that goes along with his passion for Science. In particular, Physics and Biology are his absolute favorites. Anyway, a High School environment isn't healthy for a lot of people, and for many it isn't necessary either. Having his GED has never affected his life in a negative way. He was still able to go out there, and do exactly what he wanted to do.

Is it just me or does that young blonde kid look like a real life version of a Ventriloquist doll???? I can't be the only one.

I'm not into ventriloquism at all, but there's really not much difference with it and ballroom dancing, drone flying, football or any other hobby that I also have 0 interest in. Some of those kids were still massively talented and you've got to be pretty lame to hate on them for it...

I think this guy has a great personality for these videos on weird wacky topics.

“The young and sexy future of ventriloquism…” was not expecting to her that phrase today.

at this point taji's social awkwardness is a skill. and he is a pro

I can't even joke, that's a crazy talent and I bet it takes years to be as good at it as some of these folks are.

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="530">8:50</a> the kids got it down. Said it perfectly with a straight smile. Didnt even move his mouth at all.

This is your best episode. It takes balls and courage to do that or anything in front of a live audience. And you didn’t edit it out.

“Sorry I scared your children with my bird...” 😶😂😂

Taj's act is amazing. It's the best ventriloquist act I've ever seen.

you can hear them switch to the puppet voice at random times without the puppet...intense

Taji is a fuckin legend. I paused it at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1080">18:00</a> because I'm nervous for him.

Watching videos like this shows me the parent I want/aspire to be one day. It's amazing to see how much open-mindedness can make the world such a better place.

Your open mike was literally the most hilarious ventriloquism I have ever seen. Keep being you!

Idk if I'm just too high but this video is really messing with my head 😂

"sorry if I scared your children with my bird" sir, are you trying to get arrested?

Taji’s confidence has always been something I admire about him. He knows he’s awkward, and not always great at things lol but he always puts himself out there and is super positive. I aspire to be more like Taji lol.

"Should we put a real act on now?" Lmao damn come on, that wasn't necessary.

Wait taji's act was actually the funniest ventriloquist act ive ever seen. To be fair, I haven't seen many but it genuinely made me laugh

Landon is really good.

My first thought was "I wonder how interesting this will be..." Was not disappointed. gg

Man tht one guy with the power strip was like leave me alone lol

"You're going to power it up with that one."

"We are not TMZ".. Yeah, but you are VICE.. ;) :D

Hell, gonzo journalism lives on!!! I loved the twist the story took when Taji decided to participate!

I think his set was pretty funny for a first time definitely impressed

I guess the people taking the piss are the ones with no hobbies of their own. If you think something's weird, remember that we're on a massive spinning ball.

Taji has redeemed himself

That’s me in the video. I can say from personal experience Jeff Dunham is not an asshole. He’s kind giving and busy. I’m sorry he was busy this year.

When he instinctually put the balloon birds mouth to the Mic so the audience could hear it talk. 😆

wow, what a shitty takeaway at the end lmao

$60,000 for a puppet??

peaople really just live their lives and do what makes them happy. Wish I could do te same

I found this convention delightful! There are so many well done puppets. It makes me sad how much cynicism I see here. If it weren't for puppetry we'd have no Muppets.

The art form is still kicking I see. Hopefully this never dies out.

I love how absolutely awkward Taji is.

It’s really sad that some of y’all don’t appreciate Taji’s humor

Ventriloquist all have 1 thing in common split personality

Taj with the puppet was funny af

Bro really said; “… young and sexy side of ventriloquism…” The 18 year old seems very intelligent, blunt, and clever! The people that bullied him really missed out on such a dope person. Such a shame- my heart is with you, Jeffrey. I feel like ventriloquism might have helped save him, and open him up. It’s sure proof that finding a passion/ hobby (and professional help) can really help someone out with their mental health issues. P.S everyone jokes were lame and cheesy asf I don’t get it… Even the characters they picked here basic nothing stood out too much. The people even look like puppets so weird

All jokes aside that Landon kid crazy talented. Super well spoken too.

kid with the old man is on point with the puppet talking

This guy and his balloon bird was so funny. I love this guys reporting, it's real!

I just can't stop thinking about that one episode of 'Goosebumps'...

Landon is great.beyond his years. Love Taji though too

The ending words he said that leads to the newest video about looking back at this moment lol

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="605">10:05</a> props to this kid he’s talented. The fact that he makes his puppets is very impressive.

Oh! So, Taji has been carrying, VICE for at least 3 years... got it.

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="770">12:50</a> cut to 15 years later in therapy

I worked this convention, I met Taji and he was as nice as can be.

Strangely this gives me hope! Passion drives this planet glad to see people passionate about this man! Love it. Thanks VICE

taji didn't have many friends growing up. he still doesn't have many friends.

His bird voice sounds exactly like the wounded dude from Reservoir Dogs.

“Do you guys hang out when you’re not performing?” 😂😂😂

Anyone else here wondering if the creators of Big Mouth used Landon Harvey (<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="532">8:52</a>) as inspiration for the character Matthew MacDell ? It's uncanny lol. Talented kid though.

the reporter looks like he could be h3h3s younger brother

The young ventriliquist is a legend.

I cannot tell ya how much I love your videos, please never stop.

This is so awesome! So much talent! So many sweet people it seems as well!

Seems that a lot of vice's stuff is more about the reporters than the reports. Sad.

Taji nailed it haha

Well, that was his first and last time up on stage lol

No one commenting about how sweet these people are. Jeff seems super nice and so does dale

Jeff doesn't like VICE, the same way Taji doesn't like Jeff. That's why he didn't give you the time of day.

Taji sounds like Rick from rick&morty when he uses his puppet

When he took the open mic with Florence The Funny Bird 😂😂😂

Landon is adorable he should look into acting. The Host is awkward hopefully he works that out and those people seem like good people and will give you a laugh for just trying. You don't need racist jokes to be funny you just need actual funny jokes.

Despite the comments, I thought that the interviewer was brave for putting himself out there. like you could really see him struggling but at least he was genuine about it. Lets all try to look at the positive side of things internet people.

Taji was hilarious with the balloons

This is so random and this was actually wholesome lol