Cute is as cute does

There is "cute," and then there is "cute as a bug's ear."

That's why viewers of the opening ceremonies for the Olympics in Beijing watched Lin Miaoke, 9, lip sync "Ode to the Motherland" to the voice of Yang Peiyi, 7, who apparently wasn't up to China's cuteness standards.

I've seen photos of both girls. To me, one is as cute as the other, each in her own way. Lin Miaoke's face was crinkled into a beaming smile. Yang Peiyi's face was a study in sweet solemnity.

Trouble was, when it leaked out that Bug's Ear's captivating performance was owed in large part to Sweet Face's voice, the public didn't take it well.

Sure, you can fool some of the people all the time, and all the people some of the time, but if you're going to try to fool anyone at all, you'd better be prepared to live with the fallout if you're found out. And there are times when it's best not to try to fool anyone at all.

This was one of those times.

One can only assume that there are no soccer moms in China, or, in this case, choral moms. One round with a good, old-fashioned, outraged American mother would have Chinese officials thinking twice about pulling such a stunt.

"What? You're saying my little Sweet Face got stuck behind a curtain because you think Bug's Ear is cuter? Cuter? I'll show you cuter. Oh, and see you in court."

Next would come appearances by both girls on Larry King and Dr. Phil.

I can only imagine Nancy Grace sinking her teeth into whatever apologist officials would send forth as a sacrifice. "Trashing a little girl's self-esteem? Making her hide behind a curtain? Hel-l-o-o-o! That's called a crime!"

All this brings to mind another time the public was miffed over being misled, by, of all things, a movie. Movies are all about make-believe and stunt doubles and fancy film editing, but there are times when credit should be given where it is due.

"Flashdance" was panned by the critics, but the dance sequences, especially the last one of the film, had girls everywhere rushing out to buy leotards and leg warmers. Jennifer Beals was beautiful, and she sizzled in the dance routines, whirling, leaping through the air, spinning on her back.

Except it wasn't her, but a young woman named Marine Jahan. Some television show finally had Jahan come on and perform, and she danced beautifully, but without much leaping or spinning. Those parts, it turned out, had been performed by a break-dancer named Crazy Legs and a professional gymnast named Sharon Shapiro.

"Flashdance," was, after all, only a movie, and we should have expected to be fooled, but not quite that much.

We are way ahead of China, though. When our stars lip sync, by golly, at least they do it to a recording of their own voice.

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Persinger is community editor for The Tribune. She may be reached at (812) 523-7063 or jpersinger@tribtown.com.