History Main / Burlesque

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** ''Series/{{CSINY}}'': "The Real [=McCoy=]" revolves around a bar of the same name, which features a burlesque dancer. Jo reveals to Mac that she worked in a burlesque club during college and lets him think for a good while that she danced, before revealing that she kept their books.

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* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Coraline}}'' the two old ladies downstairs Spink and Forcible are retired burlesque performers, and they have posters hanging in their apartment from [[ParallelPornTitles saucy versions of Shakespeare plays]] they performed in, such as ''[[Theatre/JuliusCaesar Julius Sees-Her]]'' and ''[[Theatre/KingLear King Leer]]''. In the other world, Coraline actually sees one of their shows.

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

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* One music video for "Mr. Brightside" by Music/TheKillers (which stars Creator/EricRoberts) takes place in a Victorian-era burlesque theater, where dancers perform during the chorus.

* ''The Night They Raided Minskys''.
* ''Lady of Burlesque'' was a 1943 murder mystery involving Burlesque performers.

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 Creator/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 Creator/AbbottAndCostello's ''WhosOnFirst''.

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-established 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 "[[NippleAndDimed 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 occurrences. A few places banned Burlesque altogether. This form of Burlesque was popular from the [[TheRoaringTwenties '20s]] until the [[TheSixties '60s]], peaking during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII and the post-war [[TheForties '40s]], finally declining in the [[TheFifties '50s]].

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* Pretty much the entire reason for Creator/DitaVonTeese's existence. And the Music/PussycatDolls'.

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

* The musical ''Theatre/{{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.

* The Maison Derriere in one episode of ''WesternAnimation/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.

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

* ''Series/ElleryQueen'': In "The Adventure of Veronica's Veils", the VictimOfTheWeek is an impresario re-opening a burlesque theatre, and the suspects include several burlesque dancers.

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]], dressed 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, obscenity, and nudity were avoided; 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.

* The video for "Last Surprise" in ''VideoGame/Persona5DancingStarNight'' is burlesque-themed, featuring the girls wearing costumes not out-of-place for a Pussycat Dolls performance.

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 [[{{Fanservice}} modern alterna-porn]]; with the majority emphasizing costuming, performance, and "tease" rather than sex.