<b>Discover the surprising story behind one of America's oldest—and most misunderstood—forms of entertainment. </b>Billy Dees welcomes author, comedian, actress, and professional ventriloquist April Brucker to discuss her new book, 250 Years of American Ventriloquism: How Ventriloquism Influenced American Culture. Together they explore how ventriloquism shaped radio, television, comedy, politics, and pop culture while uncovering fascinating stories about legendary performers and forgotten pioneers.<br /><br /><b>The conversation also dives into the future of the art form, examining artificial intelligence, digital avatars, and why live performance continues to resonate with audiences. </b>Plus, April's hilarious puppet Mae Wilson joins the fun, proving that a wisecracking dummy can still steal the show. Whether you're interested in entertainment history, comedy, or the evolution of media, this episode delivers plenty of laughs and surprising insights.<br /><br />April Brucker official website http://aprilbrucker.tv/<br /><br />Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees