GLEE “The Rocky Horror Glee Show” Review

The Rocky Horror Glee Show

GLEE “The Rocky Horror Glee Show” Season 2 Episode 5 – Glee got into the Halloween spirit tonight with their version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It was more of a Rocky Horror tribute than a remake, as Glee put its own spin on the musical. Even though they sanitized it a bit, “The Rocky Horror Glee Show” was still quite risqué (All those abs! The gold shorts! Will and Emma!).

Neither Brad (Finn) nor Janet (Rachel) ended up in bed with Dr. Frank-N-Furter, but there was still a whole lot of sexiness going on. Between Sam, Mr. Schue, and Finn the abs were out of control tonight. And how hot was Will and Emma’s “Toucha Toucha Touch Me?” I love those two together, but it looks like Dr. Carl is here to stay for the time being. I can live with that because Dr. Carl seems good for Emma and John Stamos is a wonderful addition to Glee. I’ve been looking forward to hearing him sing on the show, and he didn’t disappoint—his version of “Hot Patootie” (or as iTunes calls it “Whatever Happened to Saturday Night?”) was fantastic.

One of the biggest changes Glee made was having Mercedes play Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the role Tim Curry played in the 1975 movie. They played down the transvestite aspect of the role, and changed the lyrics in “Sweet Transvestite” to “Sin-sational, Transylvania,” rather than “Transsexual, Transylvania.” It was really different to see Mercedes play Dr. Frank-N-Furter, but ultimately I enjoyed her take on it.

Some random observations:
Were those Santana’s lips at the beginning?

Original Rocky Horror actors Barry Bostwick and Meat Loaf made cameos as mangers of the local TV station.

The casting was great—Kurt as Riff Raff was brilliant and Finn and Rachel were ridiculously cute as Brad and Janet.

Puck has been noticeably absent these past two episodes. Where’s Mark Salling?

Sue’s Corner is back and she’s got her sights set on a local Emmy.

Overall, I thought “The Rocky Horror Glee Show” was a fun episode. The way they worked it into the plot made sense to me, and it didn’t feel as forced as some of the other theme episodes. Even though Will was acting kind of stupid, it seemed believable that his feelings for Emma would cloud his judgment. I also really enjoyed the music, with “Time Warp,” “Hot Patootie,” and “Toucha Toucha Touch Me” being my favorite performances.

It’s been a long time since I saw Rocky Horror, so I’m curious what die hard fans thought about Glee‘s take on it. Did you think it was a fun tribute? Or overly sanitized?

Some of my favorite quotes from “The Rocky Horror Glee Show”:
Finn: “I have no idea what’s going on in this script and it’s not in a cool Inception kind of way.”

Sue: “You know, Halloween is fast approaching, the day when parents encourage little boys to dress like little girls, and little girls to dress like whores.”

Becky: “Give me some chocolate or I will cut you!”

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Bryan

I’m a pretty big fan of Rocky Horror (I actually just saw it live this past weekend) and I have to say I was really excited when I first heard they were doing a Rocky episode, only to get really worried when I saw how much they were watering it down (Mercedes playing Frank N. Furter, changing lyrics, etc.) I saw the episode in a movie theatre with a bunch of other Gleeks with a few die-hard Rocky fans thrown in and it was a fun experience. I’ve always felt that way with Rocky… No matter how bad it is, you’re always going to walk out with a smile on your face because it will always be fun. I definitely think this was the best episode of the season thus far with Duets and Grilled Cheesus being close seconds. Touch-a Touch-a Touch me was easily my favorite number in the episode, but there really weren’t any disappointing numbers. I agree that the premise didn’t feel forced like every other theme episode we’ve seen so far. I would rather see more episodes based on a single musical rather than see more episodes based on a single artist. That being said, Ryan Murphy, please get to work on a Chicago episode. We’ve only had the little taste of “Mister Cellophane” that Kurt auditioned with in the Pilot.

Sam’s line about how “Playing Brad is not about looking good… It’s about being confident in everything you do, even if you are a total douche,” (or something to that effect) had me laughing my ass off. As someone who is used to shouting “Asshole” in a movie theatre everytime Brad Majors’ full name is stated, this was a nice little substitution.

Also, Sue’s line about having to shield children from the unclean world around them while also getting to torture them every step of the way made my day as I am a theatre teacher.
Mac

Seeing RHPS when I was 13 and continuing into adulthood sharing it’s midnight showings to anyone of my friend’s for their “1st time” at Hollywood theaters in the 80′s is something I’ll always treasure. And at 50 years old, I remember every song, move and nuance, (is that just sad or funny, cuz’ I can’t even remember what I had for lunch today). I was so excited for the much anticipated Glee’s rendition…sadly though I was a bit disappointed. Especially since EVERYTHING else they do is phenomenal. Understandably, it had to be “watered down” for early Prime-Time and Fox…If only it could be on FX… Oh well. Loved Amber Riley’s rendition of “Sweet Transvestite”, cuz’ well, she is fricken’ phenomenal. But I think if Matt Morrison had done it, then it would have made it alot more plausible and keeping it a bit closer to what I (and others) had expected. This cast/show can’t always bat 1000, but they sure come damn close. Still love the show, cuz’ hey, no one else can come so close to perfection as the talent on that show, (as well as the writing/directing, etc.)
Spencer

Those were Mercedes’ lips at the beginning.

http://www.daemonstv.com/author/sandie/ Sandie

Actually they were Santana’s lips. It’s her singing too.

Amber

Rocky Horror was a favorite of my mom’s so I have been watching the movie and singing the songs since I was in grade school. I was worried that Glee might butcher but excited they found it worthy to try covering. Ultimately, I loved it. Mercedes as Frank-n-further substituted transexual allure for diva charm in a way that surprised but delighted me. Kurt was utterly flawless in characterizing the voice and mannerisms of Riff Raff and even subdued Quinn managed to let loose a little freaky as Magenta. It was apparent that the every cast member was delighted with putting on the show. If I had one complaint, it was that the plot was contrived without being convincing and the morality debate seemed a bit shallow between cuts of various bare chest reveals. As a life-long fan, I could only have wished that the writers gave up on show “plot” this episode and just produced this as a special. The music was great and more songs could only have been greater for me.
http://www.daemonstv.com/author/sandie/ Sandie

I had never seen The Rocky Horror Show until I watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show yesterday to get ready for this Glee episode. I really enjoyed it and I agree that it didn’t feel as forced as some of the other theme episodes. But this was probably one that I would have liked to see more of the Rocky Horror Show and less of the regular Glee drama.

Kurt was so great as Riff Raff, I wish we had seen more of him and Quinn as Magenta too. That said I wasn’t crazy about the Mercedes take on Dr. Frank-N-Furter. I guess I just really wanted one of the guys to do it. Actually since you mentioned him, Puck would have been brilliant as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, I wish he had been in the episode. Missed opportunity.

Overall, definitely a fun episode with the “Time Warp” the best performance of the night.
s2k

That is Diana Agron singing “Science Fiction Double Feature” at the start of the show, so those are probabaly her lips.

The lyrics to “Sweet Transvestite” were changed to “sensational,” not “sin-sational.”

OhhGlamour

GEEZ! You guys, those were SANTANA’S lips AND HER singing voice. Glee already confirmed this. Google it.

Qwerty

Puck is in a juvenile detention centre for driving his car through a convience store, and taking the ATM with him. They brought all this up, but so briefly and insignificantly, I don’t blame anyone for not noticing. And the episode was just OK for me. The original Rocky Horror was a lot better, in my opinion, and that godawful body image issue with guys plot was completely contrived. Can’t they find a way to send out messages without shoving them down our throats? And Sam isn’t likeable at all, I know this isn’t a soap, but can someone kill him off already?

http://www.daemonstv.com/author/kristen Kristen

Yeah, I know Puck is in juvy–I’m just wondering why he was written off the show these past two episodes. His absence made sense in Duets because it gave Quinn the opportunity to partner with Sam. However in this episode his absence just seemed strange. It gives credence to the rumors that FOX is unhappy with Mark Salling for releasing a solo album.

Guest

It made sense in Rocky Horror, because Puck would have been a perfect Eddie, and then Dr. Carl wouldn’t have had the chance to audition for the role.

OhhGlamour

Mark Salling is working on an album. He will be back next episode. Glee has confirmed this also. As well as the lips at the beginning of the show & the vocals are of Santana.