Dunham’s puppets punched

Comedy Central won’t be renewing “The Jeff Dunham Show” for a second season.

The show, featuring comedian Jeff Dunham and his repertoire of puppets, attracted plenty of attention, both positive and negative. Its debut drew 5.3 million viewers, a season premiere record for Comedy Central. But most of the reviews were terrible, and ratings dwindled during the season.

Comedy Central spokesman Steve Albani says the network will continue “to be in business with Jeff in a big way.”

Dunham is booked into the Spokane Arena on Feb. 17.

Manson suit settled

A contentious lawsuit between Marilyn Manson and former bandmate Stephen Bier has been settled without the multimillion judgment the keyboardist initially sought, court records show.

An agreement calls for attorneys representing former Bier to be paid $380,000. Manson’s insurance company will pay $175,000 while the rest will be paid by Bier’s former business managers, Manson’s attorney Howard King said.

Bier sued the shock rocker for $20 million in 2007, claiming the singer kept money from him and spent it to furnish a lavish lifestyle buying Nazi memorabilia, an engagement ring and other exotic goods.

Manson denied Bier’s claims and said Bier didn’t properly perform his duties as a band member.

Bier, who went by the stage name Madonna Wayne Gacy, was among the original members of Manson’s band when it was known as Marilyn Manson and The Spooky Kids.

The birthday bunch

Author J.D. Salinger is 91. Singer-guitarist Country Joe McDonald of Country Joe and the Fish is 68. Comedian Don Novello (Father Guido Sarducci) is 67. Rick Hurst (“The Dukes of Hazzard”) is 64. Country singer Steve Ripley of The Tractors is 60. Rapper Grandmaster Flash is 52. Morris Chestnut (“The Brothers,” “The Best Man”) is 41. Actor Verne Troyer (“Austin Powers”) is 41.