I Married a "Virgin"

No, silly, not that kind of virgin. A Rocky Horror Picture Show virgin.

I used to spend many high school weekend nights with my friends at the midnight showing of the sci-fi / 1950s' B-movie spoof, Rocky Horror Picture Show, gleefully throwing toast and rice, doing "The Time Warp," yelling "asshole" and "slut" at young Barry Bostwick (Brad) and Susan Sarandon (Janet) and joyfully singing and dancing along with Meatloaf (Eddie) and Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). Great memories of lots of fun with lots of friends. 

So many people have had the same experience that last night Fox's seriously popular "Glee" tried  Rocky Horror on for size. Granted, it was a tribute show, but it really came up short.

John Stamos (Carl, the dentist) and cast do an energetic performance of Meatloaf's "Hot Patootie Bless My Soul", but Rachel's Janet was too smooth and well voiced. Since other adult characters (Carl, Sue Sylvester) were playing roles in the glee club's version, a better option for Janet would have been Miss Pillsbury (Jayma Mays). Pillsbury/Mays actually looks similar to a young Susan Sarandon:

 

Perhaps, the "Glee" writers realized this because Miss Pillsbury ends up singing "Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me" with Mr. Shuester (Matthew Morrison). I don't think she's ever sung on Glee before, but she wasn't half bad. 

It's too bad that the writers weren't so wise when making the unfortunate decision to have the character of Mercedes (Amber Riley) play the lead role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Riley has an amazing voice--but she was completely wrong for "Sweet Transvestite." Her voice was way too high and the characterization was all wrong. And worst of all--the writers changed the wording to "a sweet transvestite from Sensational, Transylvania." WTF? There must have been bats in the writers' belfries. Here they are doing a Rocky Horror send up, complete with half-naked new kid Sam as Rocky, and the word "transsexual" is rewritten as "sensational." Makes me wonder if it was somehow a Fox network decision.

The main plot line of the episode was almost as flawed: Shuester decides to put on the production as a musical in order to help him win back Miss Pillsbury and ultimately planning on playing the role of Rocky himself. Thankfully that never actually happens (teen-age Rachel singing "Touch Me" to Mr. Shu. Ick!). The episode of insanity is ended by an unusually sensible, rational speech from Jane Lynch's Sue.

The big hit of the show: Kurt (Chris Colfer) is amazing as Riff Raff in "Time Warp." He's got the voice and the moves.

Finally, the best part of the show for old Rocky Horror fans: A joint guest appearance by Bostwick and Meatloaf as cable TV company executives. Meatloaf is almost impossible to recognize at about 200 pounds lighter than 30 years ago.

Now, close this up, call up a bunch of friends and stream the original, one-and-only Rock Horror Picture Show to your this weekend. And let's do the time warp again!

Happy Halloween!

Comments

[Keryn]

hey MM: Miss Pillsbury did sing in the Madonna episode and maybe another time. That scene with her and Mr. Shue was pretty steamy, though!

[Jen]

We had a pre-Glee RHPS viewing Friday night to be sure the kids were well-versed in the real Time Warp! We thoroughly enjoyed the glee episode for what it was... Not the real movie! We'll always be RHPS fans!!!

[MillenniumMom]

Keryn & Jen: Thanks for your comments! Jen, glad to hear another generation is learning the Time Warp. Keryn: Yes, you are right. MM was loudly corrected by her daughter about Miss Pillsbury. Thanks!