While the premiere of The Jeff Dunham Show attracted a record number of viewers for Comedy Central, the show’s not coming back for a second season.

The Jeff Dunham Show is a sketch comedy series that features ventriloquist Dunham and his stable of characters. Segments of Dunham onstage in front of a live audience are combined with footage from around Los Angeles.

The October 2009 debut brought great ratings for the series and Comedy Central. An estimated 5.3 million viewers watched, with a 2.2 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic. Both numbers represented a record for the cable channel. Following multiple airings, the tally of viewers amounted to 7.9 million.

Unfortunately, the audience for the second episode of Jeff Dunham fell by 55% and subsequent installments fell even further. The season (now series) finale hit a low of 1.3 million viewers. To no surprise, Comedy Central has decided to pass on ordering any more.

Though the series received almost universally bad reviews, Comedy Central isn’t giving up on Dunham. They have a multi-platform deal with the comic and will continue to work with him via a live tour, a stand-up special, DVDs, and other products.

What do you think? Are you sorry to see The Jeff Dunham Show end or should it have been cancelled weeks ago?

Image courtesy Comedy Central.