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Sultana · 07-01-2006, 11:34 AM

Here's some news that's been burning up the airwaves in the Burlesque community. There's a show on NBC called "America's Got Talent." I don't watch it, but it seems to be an updated "Gong Show" (did I just date myself horribly there?).

Some time ago, NBC actively pursued burlesque dancers (as well as others, I'm sure) to audition for the show. Well, one of the nation's best, Michelle "Toots" Lamour, *The Ass that goes POW!* stepped up to the plate, auditioned, and was selected for the show. Michelle happens to have been crowned "Miss Exotic World 2005" (Jack and I were there to see her winning act

), and she's a wonderful person to boot.

Here's a clip of her performance on the NBC show.

Well, she managed to get selected to continue on to the semi-finals of the show, but I was rather startled by "Judge Brandy's" reaction on the clip. I thought she was quite rude, right off the top (but of course I have to keep in mind that the show is edited for punch and reaction). But also there appears to be a lot of venom on the show discussion boards about her. Half of it frankly seems like prudes who are offended by the thought that burlesque (which they only refer to as stripping

) as talent. The other half are folks who are pissed because this was on a Prime Time (9 pm, I think?) show, with kids watching.

Now of course anyone who knows me knows that I would disagree that burlesque (and even stripping) is a no-talent deal. There are folks who are tremendously talented, and there are those who aren't, just like in any endeavor.

But I guess I can see the point of folks who weren't pleased to see this kind of entertainment on "Prime Time" without warning, although it seems like that's part of the show, they don't give you any hints as to what's coming up, and "Anything Can Happen" is pretty much their motto, as far as I can tell. The previous week they had "The World's Oldest Male Stripper" or some such thing--didn't see that, though.

I have to admit my initial impulse is to shut out the naysayers, but I'm thinking they may have a bit of a point, even if they obfuscate it by saying many other stupid things along with. But I do think that parents should be responsible to monitor what the kiddies watch at 9 pm...but that's another thread, I think.

So what do you guys think?

07-01-2006, 11:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sultana Falling Angel Location: L.A. L.A. land	Snow White Stripper Here's some news that's been burning up the airwaves in the Burlesque community. There's a show on NBC called "America's Got Talent." I don't watch it, but it seems to be an updated "Gong Show" (did I just date myself horribly there?). Some time ago, NBC actively pursued burlesque dancers (as well as others, I'm sure) to audition for the show. Well, one of the nation's best, Michelle "Toots" Lamour, The Ass that goes POW! stepped up to the plate, auditioned, and was selected for the show. Michelle happens to have been crowned "Miss Exotic World 2005" (Jack and I were there to see her winning act ), and she's a wonderful person to boot. Here's a clip of her performance on the NBC show. Well, she managed to get selected to continue on to the semi-finals of the show, but I was rather startled by "Judge Brandy's" reaction on the clip. I thought she was quite rude, right off the top (but of course I have to keep in mind that the show is edited for punch and reaction). But also there appears to be a lot of venom on the show discussion boards about her. Half of it frankly seems like prudes who are offended by the thought that burlesque (which they only refer to as stripping ) as talent. The other half are folks who are pissed because this was on a Prime Time (9 pm, I think?) show, with kids watching. Now of course anyone who knows me knows that I would disagree that burlesque (and even stripping) is a no-talent deal. There are folks who are tremendously talented, and there are those who aren't, just like in any endeavor. But I guess I can see the point of folks who weren't pleased to see this kind of entertainment on "Prime Time" without warning, although it seems like that's part of the show, they don't give you any hints as to what's coming up, and "Anything Can Happen" is pretty much their motto, as far as I can tell. The previous week they had "The World's Oldest Male Stripper" or some such thing--didn't see that, though. I have to admit my initial impulse is to shut out the naysayers, but I'm thinking they may have a bit of a point, even if they obfuscate it by saying many other stupid things along with. But I do think that parents should be responsible to monitor what the kiddies watch at 9 pm...but that's another thread, I think. So what do you guys think? __________________ "Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come." - Matt Groening My goal? To fulfill my potential.