January 27, 2001-

....TAKE IT OFF: "Burlesque as It Was," our very own throwback to the days of Gypsy Rose Lee and Tempest Storm, will be featured on A&E's two-hour special "It's Burlesque," airing at 6 and 10 p.m. Sunday.

"Burlesque as It Was" is the brainchild of Michelle Baldwin, who put it together two years ago, featuring singers, vaudeville comedy, striptease artists and Eddie Spaghetti, "a ventriloquist doll who talks by himself."

Sunday's appearance on A&E was taped last fall at the Ogden Theatre. All the favorites we've come to know and love, including Cheri Sheri, Honey Touche and Kitty and Pinky, also will be a part of the skin-to-win extravaganza, "Tease-o-Rama," the national burlesque convention, taking place in New Orleans on May 18-20. ....