History Main / Burlesque

The word "burlesque" is derived from a Romance language term meaning "to send up". Burlesque theatre originated in the UK and US in the 19th century as a form of broad satire and parody aimed at low to middle class audiences, poking fun at the "highbrow" entertainments and social activities of the upper classes. During the Victorian period, it became increasingly common for roles to be played by [[MsFanservice attractive women]], dress more "daringly" than Victorian convention normally permitted. The women quickly became the main attraction, and costumes [[{{Fanservice}} became more revealing]] to the extent permitted by local laws. As in {{Vaudeville}} and Music Hall settings, music and variety acts became staples of Burlesque shows. The tone often became [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar suggestive, even shading toward bawdy]], although outright vulgarity and obscenity were avoided; as the intent was to spoof and titillate, not offend. While Vaudeville tended to be dominated by individual acts; Burlesque shows depended on troupes travelling a circuit. It was generally looked down on as "low" humour by Vaudeville performers, and a last resort for the "washed up"; but many performed in Burlesque troops under pseudonyms, as the work was typically more steady and reliable.

* There is a 2010 film called ''[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Burlesque]]'' that features a club with such performances. Music/ChristinaAguilera and Cher star in the movie.

* Pretty much the entire reason for DitaVonTeese's existence.

* The Maison Derriere in one episode of ''TheSimpsons''. Bart ends up working there to pay off a debt for destroying the owner's gargoyle, and it attracts initial public outcry when exposed to the public.

Burlesque comedy was typically broad and low; with a strong emphasis on SlapStick and sexual innuendo. The lead comedian was known as the "top banana"; and many well-known comedians started in Burlesque -- such as BobHope, Red Skelton, and Milton Berle -- before crossing over into movies, radio, or the fledgling television industry. One of the most famous classic Burlesque comedy routines is AbbottAndCostello's ''Series/WhosOnFirst''.

* [[Series/GossipGirl Chuck Bass]] owns a burlesque club called Victrola. Where Blair got up on stage in one episode and did a strip tease.

Burlesque comedy was typically broad and low; with a strong emphasis on SlapStick and sexual innuendo. The lead comedian was known as the "top banana"; and many well-known comedians started in Burlesque -- such as BobHope, Red Skelton, and Milton Berle -- before crossing over into movies, radio, or the fledgling television industry. One of the most famous classic Burlesque comedy routines is AbbottAndCostello's [[WhosOnFirst "Who's On First"]].

The modern Burlesque Revival (sometimes referred to as Neo-Burlesque or "Burlycue") started in the late 1990s; and is based predominantly on a HollywoodHistory version of Burlesque. It tends to focus entirely on the striptease, dropping the comedy and music aspects. Many performers and troops also incorporate themes of body-acceptance and [[PostModernism Post-Modern]] Feminist or NewAge themes of female empowerment through sexuality. Peformances range from re-creations of period styles featuring a minimum of nudity or sexuality, often undressing only down to StockUnderwear, to [[PlayingToTheFetishes modern alterna-porn]]; with the majority emphasizing costuming, performance, and "tease" rather than sex.

* In ''TheSting'', Hooker's girlfriend is shown performing in a Burlesque show. Yes, she's a stripper.

* There is a 2010 film called ''[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Burlesque]]'' that features a club with such performances. ChristinaAguilera and Cher star in the movie.

* [[GossipGirl Chuck Bass]] owns a burlesque club called Victrola. Where Blair got up on stage in one episode and did a strip tease.
* In an episode of ''{{Scrubs}}'' there's a subplot about the women being uncomfortable having a co-ed changing room and when Elliott is forced to change in front of the guys JD has an ImagineSpot of her as a burlesque dancer.

* ''TheGreatMouseDetective'' had a rather [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment inexplicable scene]] involving burlesque, to the delight of Furries everywhere.

* The musical ''{{Gypsy}}'' is the story of Gypsy Rose Lee. She started out working in Vaudeville, but moved to Burlesque because of the better money-making opportunity; and became one of the most well known strippers of the era. The word 'ecdysiast' was coined in her honor.

* LuckyLuke saloons often had Can can dancers in 'em.

* There is a 2010 film called ''[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Burlesque]]'' that features a club with [[IncrediblyLamePun titular]] performances. ChristinaAguilera and Cher star in the movie.

Many striptease dancers incorporated [[FetishFuel elaborate gimmicks]] into their acts, many of them artistic and/or comedic; and some parodied celebrities. As the form declined in the '50s, a few became minor celebrities in their own right; and just as many comedians moved on to Hollywood, so did a few of the more popular dancers. Some of those who managed to make a showing on the silver screen were Gypsy Rose Lee, BettiePage, Tempest Storm, and Lili St. Cyr. Several movies were made which featured them; but these were generally [[{{Bowdlerise}} highly bowdlerized]] versions of the performances, or low-budget indie productions.

* ''{{SHIMMER}}'' wrestler Rayna Von Tosh had the gimmick of a burlesque pin-up girl. Since ''SHIMMER'' is a family-friendly show all she really did was peel off her gloves during her entrance.

* Lucky Luke saloons often had Can can dancers in 'em.

* In ''Film/{{Coraline}}'' the two old ladies downstairs Spink and Forcible are retired burlesque performers. In the other world Coraline actually sees one of their shows.

* In ''Literature/{{Coraline}}'' the two old ladies downstairs Spink and Forcible are retired burlesque performers. In the other world Coraline actually sees one of their shows.

* In ''{{Coraline}}'' the two old ladies downstairs Spink and Forcible are retired burlesque performers. In the other world Coraline actually sees one of their shows.

* In ''StarTrekVTheFinalFrontier'', Uhura performs a Burlesque-style fan dance to distract a patrol.

* There is a 2010 film called ''[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Burlesque]]'' that features a club with eponymous performances. ChristinaAguilera and Cher star in the movie.

* There is a 2010 film called [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Burlesque]] that features a club with [[IncrediblyLamePun titular]] performances. ChristinaAguilera and Cher star in the movie.

* There is a 2010 film called [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Burlesque]] that features a club with titular performances. ChristinaAguilera and Cher star in the movie.

* There is a 2010 film called [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Burlesque]] that features a club with titular performances.

Burlesque comedy was typically broad and low; with a strong emphasis on SlapStick and sexual innuendo. The lead comedian was known as the "top banana"; and many well-known comedians started in Burlesque -- such as BobHope, Red Skelton, and Milton Berle -- before crossing over into movies, radio, or the fledgling television industry. One of the most famous classic Burlesque comedy routines is {{Abbott and Costello}}'s [[WhosOnFirst "Who's On First"]].

While not originally the focus, sexual titillation became increasingly part of the landscape of Burlesque; however, the striptease remained a "back room" affair. The death of the Burlesque circuits in the 1920s resulted in the already well-stablished striptease, or "hootchie cootchie dance" being incorporated by theatre owners as a [[LowestCommonDenominator gimmick to bring in audiences]]. Although music and comedy remained a large part of Burlesque, the striptease became the [[MaleGaze primary draw]]. The degree of nudity and types of dancing permitted were limited, not by artistic or modesty concerns; but by obscenity statutes, with the stereotypical "pasties and G-string" used to avoid violating local laws. Performers did occasionally go beyond what was permitted, [[YouCanLeaveYourHatOn up to and including full nudity]]; and raids and arrests were frequent occurences. A few places banned Burlesque altogether. This form of Burlesque was popular from the [[TheRoaringTwenties '20s]] until the [[TheSixties '60s]], peaking during WorldWarII and the post-war [[TheForties '40s]], finally declining in [[TheFifties '50s]].

* ''The Night They Raided Minskys''

* Pretty much the entire reason for DitaVonTeese's existence.

* There is a 2010 film called [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Burlesque]] that features a whole club with titular performances.

* There is a 2010 film called [[Exactlywhatitsaysonthetin Burlesque]] that features a whole club with titular performances.

* There is a 2010 film called Burlesque that features a whole club with titular performances.

Burlesque comedy was typically broad and low; with a strong emphasis on SlapStick and sexual innuendo. The lead comedian was known as the "top banana"; and many well-known comedians started in Burlesque -- such as Bob Hope, Red Skelton, and Milton Berle -- before crossing over into movies, radio, or the fledgling television industry. One of the most famous classic Burlesque comedy routines is {{Abbott and Costello}}'s [[WhosOnFirst "Who's On First"]].

The word "burlesque" is derived from a Romance language term meaning "to send up". Burlesque theatre originated in the UK and US in the 19th century as a form of broad satire and parody aimed at low to middle class audiences, poking fun at the "highbrow" entertainments and social activities of the upper classes. During the Victorian period, it became increasingly common for roles to be played by [[MsFanservice attractive women]], dress more "daringly" than Victorian convention normally permitted. The women quickly became the main attraction, and costumes [[{{Fanservice}} became more revealing]] to the extent permitted by local laws. As in Vaudeville and Music Hall settings, music and variety acts became staples of Burlesque shows. The tone often became [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar suggestive, even shading toward bawdy]], although outright vulgarity and obscenity were avoided; as the intent was to spoof and titillate, not offend. While Vaudeville tended to be dominated by individual acts; Burlesque shows depended on troupes travelling a circuit. It was generally looked down on as "low" humour by Vaudeville performers, and a last resort for the "washed up; but many performed in Burlesque troops under pseudonyms, as the work was typically more steady and reliable.