By Michael Fitzgerald Troy
We’re all aware that mermaids are sea folklore of beauteous maidens: half-women, half fishtail. Legendary sirens that would lure seamen to their deaths with their irresistible pipes.
We’re all also aware of the juggernaut adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid that continues to be a huge cash cow for Disney to this day. Hey, I love that little fish stick, but I love Ursula the Sea Witch even more. What can I tell you? I’m a sucker for a sassy drag queen.
Most of you are probably less aware of the often described mockumentary Mermaids: The Body Found currently airing on Animal Planet. But, you should be and here’s why.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS (But, worth it.)
I freaking love mermaids! Maybe it stems from my adoration of sharks or perhaps strong females. I guess this is the best of both worlds.
Does The Body Found finally answer the question to whether or not mermaids are real? Not exactly. But, in the vein of Alien Autopsy and Blair Witch Project, how could I not watch?
Admittedly, I’m a sucker for a good conspiracy theory, but I strongly question the authenticity of this “documentary,” as the actors are very unnatural and clearly not the experts they claim to be.
Still interesting, though, as they present minimal evidence in the form of the Navy using sonar to beach whales and whisking off the remains of a mermaid before the wrong eyes could see them. And, no one has said anything. And, it was never in the news. And, it just all comes out in this special. Okay.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m down for hocus pocus, and Mermaids is no flounder. They present acoustic evidence from the language of an animal of unknown origin (Clearly, it’s a recording of Mariah Carey giving birth to her twins.), along with way too much time dispelling an aquatic ape theory and nothing substantial enough to make you more of a believer than you were to begin with, per se. An entertaining flick if you can stomach the excessive footage of the poor beached whales. Where’s Ariel when you need her?
Michael Troy is a deeply superficial person. Born in the midwest in the ’70s, Michael came to Los Angeles to pursue his bi-polar career path as an actor and artist. 2005 saw the release of Michael’s first published book, Homo-Hero’s Big Book of Fun and Adventure (www.greencandypress.com). Michael has contributed to the Lady Gaga comic book from Bluewater Productions and has his hand in various other upcoming projects. Michael has performed stand-up comedy at all of the major comedy clubs in Los Angeles and is making his triumphant return to the main stage of The Comedy Store in September. Michael offers an off-beat sense of humor as the star of such youtube cult classics As The Gays on Film (www.youtube.com/fullfrontaltv), A Minute With Margot, a loving tribute to Superman legend Margot Kidder (http://www.youtube.com/user/rktcommander), and currently hosts a vlog style series Lethally Blonde over at www.monsterburg.com. Sitting alongside industry heavyweight Phil Jimenez at the “Divas and Lassoes” panel for the 2010 San Diego comic-con, Michael maintains and cherishes his “underground” status. A staunch believer in Blonde Ambition, Michael hopes his new comic about shallow blonde super heroes in Los Angeles, The Blonde Squad, will set the world on fire (or at least brighten it a bit). Check out Michael Troy and Lethally Blonde updates here!!!
