Muses "music", and "musing upon". In current literature, the influential role that the Muse plays has been extended to the political sphere. In "Down to Earth", the Muses, espcially Terpsichore (Rita Hayworth), are offended by a vulgar Broadway musical called "Hot Muses", in which they are portrayed as besotted by two American flyers who crash-land on Parnassus. Terpsichore masquerades as a mortal to get the show "improved". All nine Muses appear in the 1980 film "Xanadu", with actress Olivia Newton-John as Terpsichore. Many of the Greek gods, including five of the Muses (Thalia, Clio, Calliope, Melpomene, and Terpsichore) appear in the
Krewe of Muses pyrotechnic birthday cake; and "Dancing with the Muses" (2011) was a parody on "Dancing with the Stars" and provided an array of dance parodies. "Muses Go Shopping, taking it to the limit 2012" provided a spoof at the Mall of the Muses - a parody of retail stores including Toys 4 Us, Wombs to Go, J Crude (highlighting the BP oil spill)and more. The 2013 Muses parade theme explored the supermarket theme, "Muses Makin' Groceries". One notable feature was a male dancer dancing in the silhouette booth for the "Meat Market" float. 2014 offered "Muses Ready To Wear You Out"