Mariah Carey begins tour looking ridiculous

Mariah Carey performs at the start of her U.S. tour in Miami, Florida August 5, 2006. REUTERS/Marc Serota (UNITED STATES)

Rather, this is a show about stripper poles and dangerously high stilettos, hot pants and hair extensions -- all of it thrust onstage in a way that says, "Unless you're naked and grinding up against something, you're nothing."

And to look at the many female fans on hand (young teens to roughly early-30s), also spilling out of their lingerie, shiny gold bikini tops and micro-minis, it seems this is a notion that some women clearly want reinforced by a superstar.

When the show finally began, about an hour late at 10 p.m., there were rappers and dancers, moving staircases, blinding lights, an audio/high-def-video assault, several incoherent short films and a DJ -- all heaped on top of an essentially standard diva extravaganza (i.e., sing song, change outfit).

Those who unwittingly came for an evening of innocuous pop quickly realized that they have not been keeping up with the times. That Mariah -- the one who sang such hopeful songs as "Vision of Love," "Emotions" and "One Sweet Day" -- disappeared a long time ago.

Still, there were glimpses of that performer during such confections as "Dreamlover," "Heartbreaker" and "Fantasy" -- and also during a stellar cover of the 1970 Jackson 5 hit "I'll Be There," a hit for Carey in 1992.

With her wide-ranging vocal ability, Carey, now 36, certainly could have taken the standard pop singer route -- aging up to adult contemporary status, then following Celine Dion over to Vegas. Instead, she's won praise for becoming a singer who mixes it up on songs such as "We Belong Together" and "Say Somethin"' with freestyle producers and rappers like Snoop Dogg.

It works for her and the fans who adore her. Let's just hope all those 15-year-olds remembered to change clothes before they got back home.