August 21, 2006

Don: Oh good, I could use some sleep later. But not yet, of course.
Gordon: Nor do I think you'll be getting any with our guest this week. From America's Got Talent, and someone who I think could have made the Top Ten finals if people understood her act, our special guest this morning is Michelle L'Amour. It is a pleasure having you on the show.
Michelle: Hello everyone. Thanks for having me :-)
Chico: Alrighty. This is called WLTI's 20 Questions. We ask 20 questions. Hopefully you have the answers. Couldn't be any simpler.
Michelle: Sounds good
Gordon: Start it off, Mr. Alexander.
Chico: Alright. This has been probing me since I saw it, but ... 1) Being a child of the 80s, I have to ask... how'd you manage to get your hands on the KITT?
Michelle: So I did a lot of research to find that car. There are a lot of KITT replicas out there, much to my surprise. The car I used was from George Barris, the creator of the car.
Gordon: Wow
Chico: Wow.. Keeps that in top shape, I bet.
Michelle: I was told it was used in season 4. I have to say that was probably my best experience on the show, using the car.
Gordon: I can imagine. The splicing of the old Knight Rider shows to have the actors talk during the act, by the way, was pure genius.
Michelle: Well, actually, I had a friend of mine read a script I wrote. He did both voices. Pretty slick, huh?
Gordon: Very very slick. You had me completely fooled.
Chico: He's good. Sounded a lot like William Daniels in the car there.
Michelle: Great, I'll let him know.
Gordon: Please do. Question #2...Let's go back a bit, How did you find out about the show and tell us about the audition process.
Michelle: America's Got Talent kept sending me audition requests. I didn't want to do it because I thought it was a waste of time because there's no way they would take a stripteaser on the show. When they were in town (Chicago), they sent it to me again. Finally I wrote back and asked if they understood what I did. They said yes and they wanted me to come. So I went, but I still thought it was a waste of time. But the audition went really well and I did my full act and did my interview and pasties and a g-string. That was fun.
Gordon: ROFL
Michelle: I left the audition thinking that I did really well but I didn't hear from them for a month. I had assumed I didn't make it. The best part about the audition were the kids in the hallway
Gordon: oh no...ROFL
Michelle: I did my 'fairytale princess' act, so they all wanted to take pictures with me when I was dressed. All I could do was laugh on the inside
Chico: That was pretty cool... of course you have to laugh in retrospect.. :) Of course, it was great
Gordon: I could only imagine what their moms thought after they saw the show...and then turned around and saw the pictures.
Michelle: Hahaha
Don: #3: How long have you been dancing?
Michelle: I've been dancing for 11 years but doing burlesque for 4. Started when I was 15 with ballet and then went to jazz, hip hop and modern. Then I taught kids for a long time, junior high to high school age. I don't do that anymore. I strictly teach burlesque now. That's better for me because I don't have to hide what I do.
Don: Cool.
Chico: Cool.. 4) Take us to the show day now... you're past the auditions, and now you're on that stage.. Did you have any nerves going in?
Michelle: I was the most nervous I had ever been in my life. Not because of the studio audience, but because of the judges. I wanted to make sure that I didn't come across as a dumbass. I didn't know what Piers was going to say. He surprised me.
Chico: Of course. They're judges. They're supposed to be intimidating... especially the token British one for some reason.
Michelle: Yeah I know. I guess that's a proven formula. But he was really nice in person. I got to meet his kids after the Knight Rider number. They really wanted to look at the car but they were shy. Awww.
Chico: How'd they like it?
Michelle: I think they liked it but were nervous with me around
Chico: Ah. Okay.
Michelle: I was wearing my skivvies at that point so that might have been weird for them. HA!
Gordon: #5. If you've been reading either We Love To Interrupt or the recaps to America's Got Talent, you know that you have been far and away my favorite performer on the show.
Michelle: Thank you
Gordon: However, the reason has been not because of the power that you have to drive the male judges (and 50% of America's population) wild. My sister is a dancer and one of the things she had to learn is burlesque, so I am very familiar with the style. Can you please explain to the audience reading this more about burlesque?
Michelle: Burlesque is all about the tease, something that's not used very much in the media. I find that the portrayal of women in the media to be completely tasteless and vacuous. Burlesque at the core means 'a send up' - a parody. But now it means striptease. Yes, you have a couple burlesque comedy groups out there, but when you say the word burlesque people think of the girls.
It's all about the bump and grind, the concept of your act, the costume and of course the tease. Believe it or not, there's a lot of thought and work that goes into an act...if you do it right, that is.
Chico: So it's not something you can come off the street and do then.
Michelle: Some people can, but most cannot. A lot of women can not let loose. I teach classes and I teach from a dance perspective
Gordon: What I like the best about it is not only the tease, but the fact that everything is suggestive without actually revealing anything. That's the idea of Burlesque, and the fact that you made 2 complete 'pieces' made you, in my mind, more talented than half of the acts in the finals.
Michelle: Thank you very much. I felt that a lot of people on the show were talented but had no idea how to form an act.
Gordon: I completely agree with that statement
Chico: Yeah, there's a pathos to it.
Don: #6: What went through your mind in the audition round when Brandy decided to hit all 3 X's herself?
Michelle: Well I was staring her down, egging her on. Once I saw the stupid look on her face, I pushed her buttons. But, I had no idea she was really a b(^_^)h
Gordon: Did she at least warm up to you when the cameras were not rolling?
Michelle: No way!
Gordon: ouch.
Don: Yipes.
Chico: So battle lines were drawn then.
Michelle: I was just there on Thurs for the final show and we walked out of the studio together, talk about cold shoulder. And then when she got in her golf cart (to transport her 50 feet), she made sure to give me a dirty look. I just smiled
Gordon: That's too bad. You may not respect the person's crafty, but you should at least respect the person.
Michelle: Yes, that's what I'm saying
Chico: And at least you smiled on the way out. Brushed it off. Didn't let it get to you.
Michelle: I think she needs the golf cart because she can't walk in heels
Gordon: Apparently, there's a lot of things she can't do...like judge.
Chico: Alrighty, 7) Did you have a favorite act going into the final that you were rooting for?
Michelle: The Miller Bros or The Passing Zone. I was hoping that I would be proved wrong, and that a singer wouldn't win. But there were a lot of singers in the final, so I guess the odds were against me.
Gordon: Unfortunately, every person that America moved on through (with the exception of the WIld Card) was a singing act.
Chico: I think it's that whole Idol preprogramming.. I think.
Michelle: Yes, me too
Gordon: I would not have minded seeing the Passing Zone win
Chico: I wanted the Zone to win, too.
Don: Ditto.
Chico: They were so robbed.
Michelle: Yeah, they're super nice. I was so disappointed. I loved their stab at the quick changers in the finals. That was hilarious.
Gordon: #8. We know what you think about Piers and Brandy. What did you think about David Hasselhoff?
Michelle: He's great, truly a nice person. On and off camera. I think he
gets his cult appeal and embraces it.
Gordon: He certainly does. I like the fact that he doesn't take himself seriously
Michelle: Right
Chico: Or he does, but he doesn't.
Michelle: I was able to get a picture with him and KITT. Good stuff
Chico: Indeed. I hope you got it framed.
Michelle: soon
Chico: Nice.
Don: Cool! #9: If you had another chance on the stage, say, in the Wild Card or the Final, what kind of surprise would you have planned for it?
Michelle: Well I do a balloon act where my clothes float away. That would have been fun to do. Or a big production fan dance with chorus girls. http://youtube.com/watch?v=w6lzd1GFTQM is a link to the balloon act video.
Gordon: Why not? It almost worked for Nathan Burton.
Michelle: It was good to work with him. I don't know if you saw the final but I had the chance to pop out of a cage. Now I have a little magic in my game.
Chico: I saw that.
Don: I also saw it. That was neat.
Gordon: Saw it too. That looked like you had a lot of fun
Michelle: Yep, it was fun. Regis was great too in rehearsal.
Chico: Of course you're not going to tell us how that was done with you and the tiger, but.. yeah.. Heh. I think everyone got a rise out of that. Especially after David went... off book, shall we say? Okay 10) Favorite moment of the show (not counting yourself)?
Michelle: I liked some of the wacky acts, like The Stamen Show and Rudy Macaggi.
Chico: Two good ones.
Michelle: I also liked when the Desperation Squad told the judges that they win the award for the most annoying band.
Gordon: #11...Let's go back to the enigma called Quick Change for a second. They seemed to have the Wild Card wrapped up when Piers called David dumb and they were a dark horse to win the whole thing...until David opened his mouth in the finals. When Passing Zone did the confetti thing, it seemed like there may have been some animosity in the back against David - especially when Piers called him out for being arrogant. How was Quick Change received by the artists and were there any other acts that people didn't want to see win?
Michelle: Oh god...I think Piers said they were 'hilariously arrogant'. 'Tis true
Chico: Not surprising.
Gordon: Arrogant in a pompous but silly way, or arrogant in an unbearable way?
Michelle: Unbearable.
Chico: Put me down for one of each. :)
Michelle: Have fun with that
Chico: No problem.
Gordon: One of our Golden Rules on how to win or not win a competition is NEVER attack a judge. I think they killed themselves when David did that.
Michelle: I think you're probably right. But I didn't attack anyone. What happened? :-( Ha ha ha
Gordon: What happened is that the female judge wasn't Paula Abdul. ROFL.
Michelle: Too bad. I like her music much better
Gordon: And quite honestly, the only person who's judging I liked on the show was Hasselhoff. Piers was inconsistent and all over the place and Brandy seemed that she was too righteous to actually judge on anything that wasn't a singing talent.
Michelle: I agree
Don: #12: Have you been recognized on the street (or something like that) after you've appeared on the show?
Michelle: I get some stares. But I don't usually walk around in costume, so people don't always know it's me.
Chico: Lucky 13) Any advice you want to share for anyone who wants to try out for season 2?
Michelle: Don't go into this thinking that if you don't make it, you suck. It's simply not true. They're looking for something specific so don't take it personally. There's so much that goes into this besides your actual talent. And pasties and a g-string help =).
Chico: Unless of course, you're "Man-Faye"... Long story..
Michelle: Hmmm
Chico: Put it short... overweight men need not dress as female anime characters. :)
Michelle: HA!
Chico: Gordon, get me out of this :)
Gordon: #14. Since you are a Regis fan (and who isn't?), let's say that Regis comes over to you and says that as a bonus, you get to decide the 10 acts that are in the finals. Assuming you put yourself in there, who are the other 9?
Michelle: The Passing Zone, Nathan Burton, All That, Jessie Sanchez, Vladmir (hand balancer)...I'm blanking on 4 other names.
Gordon: OK...I'll give you some names then and you tell me if you stick them in...
Michelle: ok
Gordon: Realis
Michelle: Yes
Gordon: At Last (The Acapella Quartet)
Michelle: Maybe, but their second showing wasn't that impressive
Gordon: Rapping Granny
Michelle: no
Gordon: Someone who agrees with me! Yay!
Michelle: I was so angry when that happened
Gordon: You and me both. one of the reasons why the judges need an overhaul. Bianca Ryan
Michelle: Yeah, I guess so
Gordon: Celtic Spring
Michelle: God no. Talk about child abuse
Gordon: I'm glad you pointed that out. What disgusted me about the act was that it felt like the little tots were just there for exploitation purposes.
Chico: Like "no one can say no to a little kid" type of exploitation?
Michelle: Oh, and I got to see them back stage. They were clogging for hours and hours. So annoying.
Gordon: Actually a combo of what Chico and Michelle said. The exploitation factor AND the fact that I think they are way too young to go through that sort of regimen
Michelle: Maybe Sean and John should have been in the finals
Chico: Totally. They were pretty good.
Gordon: I know you have people who agree with you...and that would be your Ten.
Don: #15: Overall, if you had the chance to do the show all over again, would you?
Michelle: Yes I would. It was the most stressful experience to date, but I would do it again. I was happy I was able to do burlesque on primetime TV
Chico: Sounds cool.
Michelle: Well it was
Chico: Okay, we've reached #16, which means it's time for.. "The Questions We Ask Everyone"
Michelle: woo hoo!
Chico: 16) Favorite game show/reality show, past or present?
Michelle: Game show: Deal or No Deal. I just saw it recently and was on the edge of my seat. Reality show: Blow Out. So ridiculous
Chico: Sweet. 17) Favorite game show/reality show host, past or present.
Michelle: Regis baby. He gets it
Chico: Of course.
Michelle: I'm a sucker for old showmen
Chico: 18) Say you get to be on TV again. What show do you get to grace?
Michelle: My own! I want to do Michelle L'amour's Big Sexy Show
Chico: Good answer. 19) Let's say you had the power to bring back one show from the past. Which one would it be and why?
Michelle: Laugh-In. Such a fun concept. Entertainment for the sake of entertainment. That's what I'm about
Chico: Which one was your favorite?
Michelle: The one with the go go dancers :-) They were all good. I'd also bring back Dean Martin's show...and Johnny Carson. PS. I really think they should bring back the Gong Show.
Chico: ah. Coolie. Okay, last one...20) It's Michelle Time. Any shameless plugs you want to throw in, anything you want to get off your chest, anything we haven't covered, now's the time to do it. Go.
Gordon: <beavis>heh heh heh. He said Chest. Heh heh heh heh</beavis>
Michelle: Good, glad you caught that too. I was getting to that :-)
Gordon: Heh.
Michelle: Plug: www.michellelamour.com I will have some instructional DVDs coming out soon, probably around the holidays. Go to my website to see what I get off my chest.
Chico: *stands, takes a bow*
Michelle: You can stand? Guess I'm not doing my job.
Chico: Point, Michelle :) Congratulations, you have survived the 20!
Michelle: Yea! That was fun! You guys are great.
Don: *Applauds*
Gordon: Any time you have a Saturday morning free and you want to come and play commentary, you are also more than welcome to as well.
Michelle: Oooo I'd love to. Keep in touch, ok?
Chico: Thanks big time, Michelle :)
Gordon: The door's always open. Just IM us and let us know when you want it.
Michelle: hmmmm...I always want it
Gordon: Thank you again
Michelle: Ciao boys!
Gordon: Ciao
Michelle: Thank you, thank you, thank you
Chico: All that's left to say is "America's Got Talent" returns to NBC in the new year. This is WLTI. Higher/Lower next.

(Brought to you by the Nathan Burton Richardson Show. Nathan does tricks while Burton announces all of the team names from the Charity Buzzer Battle. Because you can never hear Nathan say 'Biotches' too many times)

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