like there's a real celebration and buffoonery about like oh god a body what did you know that was

you and i think that's such a celebration yeah that's perfect

woody sticks is a comic stripper and burlesque performer with a kaleidoscopic portfolio,

including production, design, education, and many other brightly rhinestone occupations and pre-occupations as well. He's also been the director,

production manager, and co-star of our recent tour with Your Wrong About, called A Massive

Seance, a full-stage show that went far beyond the typical live podcast experience. As a compliment to our most

recent episode on Thongs and their history in America, Woody and I talk about our own history

with and philosophies around burlesque, and I tell him about the drama surrounding the first burlesque

troupe to make it big in the United States

way back in the 1860s. The content of this episode is a little sexier than usual, so if that

sounds good to you, come and experience the radical joy that burlesque has provided Woody and me, and learn how art

forms like this continue to speak hilarious truth to the boring ass powers that be. I'm your host,

Chelsea Weber Smith, and this is American Hy hysteria.

Oh my God. I am so excited to be here with one of the best people that I know.

Woody, thank you for being here, my sweet, sweet darling.

Oh, it's sincerely my pleasure. I'm tickled. Oh, I'm so excited. Okay. So, Woody, you and I

have gotten to know each other pretty intimately the last few months because you were the director, stage manager of our live show.

It's true.

A massive seance with You're Wrong About.

And it featured a lot of burlesque, which was very surprising, I think, to a podcast audience.

And it was actually, I think think your thonged ass that really got me thinking

about thongs so really this is an episode for you I am honored that my thonged ass could be

...