Somehow it seems that whenever I turn on the t.v. I’m assaulted by Howie Mandel’s irritating goatee on America’s Got Talent. I usually turn the channel ASAP, but the other day I got sucked into the Michael Lipari/ Ashleigh Dejon “aerial dancing” performance. This completely cracked me up and I had to catch up a bit on their previous history. A few weeks ago they delivered this performance. (There’s a minute or two of introductory blather; the key part of the performance lasts from about 2:30 to 3:00.)
Sharon Osbourne’s little clutch at Howie’s arm, and then his painfully fake/ stilted performance of confused concern just before Lipari & Dejon Rise from the Flames, are priceless. The whole thing is so… old-school. The athleticism is admittedly impressive.
Here’s their most recent performance. This one brings the aesthetics of the Victoria’s Secret “Angels” line/ an over-the-top bachelorette party to the kind of bad acting you rarely get to see on national t.v. The effect makes me think of the figures on top of a wedding cake come alive and swinging around maniacally on ropes and ribbons, pausing every few seconds to emote in operatic fashion.
“We decided to go the direction of being a little bit more heartfelt. Last time we shocked the judges, and America. And this time… we want to touch their heart.”
“People often think we’re a couple, but actually we’re just friends and partners.” Wait, is it possible that Michael Lipari is not straight?
Ivan Kreilkamp 