I love Rocky Horror. I own the DVD, I’ve been to midnight screenings, I’ve seen the play, I’ve come out as a trans woman. I also love Laverne Cox, Christina Milian, Victoria Justice and, did I mention, Laverne Cox? This is Mey talking, by the way. I’ve never done a liveblog before, but when I saw that Fox was going to be doing a version of Rocky Horror, I knew that my time had come.
I saw Rocky Horror for the first time on VH1 when I was in 8th grade. It turned something on in me. I became obsessed. If you want the whole awkward story, I waxed poetic about it on the A+ podcast last year. Tim Curry was my weird celebrity crush for all of high school. (I was really cool and popular.) I have an embarrassing amount of fan memorabilia, multiple versions of the film including an original run movie reel (like the actual film strip). The only thing I haven’t done is perform in a shadow cast. I’m here to provide an obnoxious dose of RHPS historical knowledge and gasp over Laverne Cox’s Frank-n-Furter outfits. This is KaeLyn, by the way.
http://www.fox.com/watch/787606083929/7815088128
Look at Laverne as Dr. Frank N. Furter!
http://api-staging.fox.com/v1/mpxembed/790160963914
Look at Victoria Justice as Janet!
http://api-staging.fox.com/v1/mpxembed/788549699850
Let’s do the Liveblog Again!
8:00: Hopefully this works!
8:05: This is Mey: My livestream just started working right now!
8:06: K: OMG I love that they had the usherette do “Science Fiction Double Feature” like in the stage show. :heart: :heart: :heart: Patricia Quinn was supposedly pissed that they dubbed Richard O’ Brien over her lips for the movie.
K: Fuckin’ Betty Monroe
M: Christina Milian is already slaying
K: They changed what the car says. I wonder if they’re going to generally make it less rape-y.
M: I sure hope so!!!!
8:08: K: I’m LIVING RIGHT NOW
Who else yelled “asshole” at the TV when Brad started talking?
M: Mary Shelly Gravestone sighting at 8:08
K: Also that is totally Laverne in the black veil, right
M: i think so yes
8:10: K: TIIIIIIMMMMMMMMM
M: I love tim curry so muuuuuuch
K: I had such a crush on Tim Curry in the 90’s. Mostly because of this movie. But then I just started watching everything he’s in including the sitcom he had for like 2 seconds, Over the Top.
8:17: M: I’m not 100% sold on this new riff raff?
K: well how can you beat richard o’ brien
M: exactly
K: i mean, this is his damn show. i like what they’re doing stylistically overall. there are lots of details in the sets that fans will recognize as tie-ins to the original, but it’s not a copy-cat. there’s a lot that’s different in the costumes and choreography so far
M: yes. also i do like the theater shots so it’s got some of the live experience
K: yes, that’s interesting. i don’t hate it as long as it doesn’t get distracting. i saw the broadway revival in 2001 and they did the same thing but in reverse–added some of the elements of the midnight showing like call backs and props to the live show.
M: oh fancy fancy
K: people kept yelling “that guy has no fucking neck” at dick cavett, who was the narrator. he finally told them to shut the fuck up and it was great
M: jajajaja
8:22: K: mmmmmmm i dunno about this take on the time warp. i’m not 100% sold on this riff raff. as you said
M: hmm yeah, this riff raff isn’t winning me over
K: i dunno…i kind of feel like this rock band version of the time warp is…………too much
M: i do love this terrible accent christina milian is doing tho
K: Tim Curry can do no wrong though
8: 24: K: i feel mad that they totally changed the time warp choreography
M: SAME. how are you supposed to dance along??? this Brad sure is doing a great job at being an asshole though
OMGGGGGG LAVERNE’S ENTRANCE
K: I’m not worthy
M: This i worth it just for Laverne’s Frank N. Furter
K: She is Fucking Slaying.
K: SAY IT
M: SAY ITTTTTTTTTTT
This is Honestly ICONIC
Yesssssss Snapssssss
Look at LAVERNE
Early fitting for my entrance costume with the costume legend #WilliamIveyLong #RockyHorror #rhps pic.twitter.com/Q9kWPhkBUo
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) October 21, 2016
K: Is this somehow queerer than the original?
M: I’m definitely queerer than the original
UGGGGHHHHH Laverne’s super queer slurring of words is HEAVEN
K: i’m into this handprint rorschach dress
M: i like riffraff a lot when he’s just creeping around, he’s good at creeping
“This is totally a victory for women in STEM” – my friend Hazel
8:39: K: see like i love the way they changed this choreography, good A+. don’t fuck with the time warp tho
M: My friends and I don’t like the censorship of Rocky’s shorts. the shorts are too damn long
K: he’s wearing way too much. like is he going longboarding or something. I think Rocky wore less in the Glee version.
It's time! #RockyHorror pic.twitter.com/OR1tYlLMk0
— Rocky Horror on FOX (@RockyHorrorFOX) October 21, 2016
8:47: M: Laverne NAILING THAT LOW NOTE
K: I mean nobody can top Tim Curry. I’m glad she reinvented the character as her own because it is EPIC. Like I’m loyal to Tim, but I love her Frank-n-Furter just as much for different reasons.
M: yeah, i don’t think she’s trying to top him, i think she’s making her own thing, which is GREAT
K: She is totally making it hers and it’s like the best Frank-n-Furter I’ve ever seen
Adam Lambert is no Meatloaf
sorry
M: nope
8:53: K: omg bunny hops :heart_eyes:
M: omgggggg yesss
Laverne NAILING THAT HIGH NOTE
I was so sore after shooting this. #RockyHorror #rhps "I can make you a man"
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) October 21, 2016
M: You know, just Laverne casually retweeting the joke my friend made at the watchparty I’m at
Yasss, love this #RockyHorror #rhps https://t.co/b2YBdtyqI5
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) October 21, 2016
8:58: now it’s time for the gross rapey part that we can all agree is gross and rapey
9:05: M: THIS IS MY FAVORITE SONG
K: same, I love this song
M: I adore Victoria, but this Touch-a Touch-a Touch me is not as good
https://twitter.com/mcalister_lexi/status/789273680291491840
K: haha I was just thinking the same
This is like, the PG version
M: THE LACK OF CREATURE OF THE NIGHT
K: and yes, like, where was “creature of the night” montage
rocky and janet’s awkward pillow fight. NO
#glee was better #RockyHorror
— Samantha J. Green (@SamanthaJGreen) October 21, 2016
9:16: K: Mickey Mouse Roll Call!
M: Yesss
K: Haha “I hope it’s not Meatloaf again” It’s not, it’s Adam Lambert
It was so hard to slice that meat #RockyHorror #rhps
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) October 21, 2016
9:28: M: Laverne’s look is murdering me.
K: Annaleigh Ashford can’t get a break! Her lesbian lover dies on Masters of Sex. Her gay boyfriend dies on RHPS. At least her hair looks good…
M: laverne nailed the smiling makes my face ache line
It's not easy having a good time #RockyHorror #rhps pic.twitter.com/QblC4RN7KY
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) October 21, 2016
9:33:
M: laverne nailed the smiling makes my face ache line
M: i looooove tim curry so muchhhhhh
K: there’s the fucking gold shorts
M: these outfits are
something
K: i get it. like they’re all wearing gold now like rocky because they tranduced or whatever
Ok Brad and Frank made out, and Brad and Rocky made out. WHERE IS MY JANET AND COLUMBIA KISS?! #RockyHorror
— Worst Year, Gayer Nic (@CloneNic) October 21, 2016
M: brad and janet look good
K: but, like………..columbia no
I was a regular Frankie fan! #RockyHorror pic.twitter.com/E9nXUxSbrn
— Rocky Horror on FOX (@RockyHorrorFOX) October 21, 2016
M: yeah, very much no
When @KennyOrtegaBlog told me I would be descending from the ceiling in King Kong''s hand I was so down for it. #RockyHorror #rhps pic.twitter.com/fbASXAiwTs
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) October 21, 2016
M: laverne deserves everything tho after this
she deserves the world
she’s doing so amazing
9:37: K: HER BATHING CAP
HER PEARL ENCRUSTED BATHING CAP
M: she looks so FUCKING AMAZING
i’m in love all over again
no lady kisses tho?
only kisses on the neck for ladies
K: yeah wtf
lady kisses!
it is the Glee version
M: jajaja
Ok Brad and Frank made out, and Brad and Rocky made out. WHERE IS MY JANET AND COLUMBIA KISS?! #RockyHorror
— Worst Year, Gayer Nic (@CloneNic) October 21, 2016
M: that song tho is so beautiful and classic and everything in the universe
K: it’s my favorite moment in the whole show
M: same
9:42: K: omg this outfit is my new favorite. every outfit is so good
M: ommmmggggggg yessss
she’s serving some tina turner realness here
yessss riffraff and magenta look PERFECT rn
Great heavens, that's a laser. #RockyHorror pic.twitter.com/a5PxSYqrf4
— Rocky Horror on FOX (@RockyHorrorFOX) October 21, 2016
9:47: M: also gold is a great color on victoria. as it is on all latinas
oh jeez those fish scale gloves
laverne fucking deserves that standing o
K: they really wanted to get a good second use out of that crane, i guess
"Cards for sorrow, cards for pain"
Toss your playing cards into the air #RockyHorror pic.twitter.com/tFN6O3GeQA— Playbill (@playbill) October 21, 2016
9:57: K: oh, i was really looking forward to watching staz nair carry laverne up the radio tower king kong style…
M: jaja yea
K: glad they committed to the original cheesy special effects, tho
M: oh for sure
K: OMG THEY’RE DOING SUPERHEROES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m ghost
Brad’s cat eye. Meow!
M: and that lipstick!
10:00: K: Final thoughts?
M: obviously this isn’t the original cast, this isn’t susan surandon and little nell and meatloaf and tim curry
but i think in a lot of ways they were able to avoid trying to be too much like the original and they made a new thing that was mostly fun and cool.
and laverne was the absolute best and was better in this than 90% of people who have ever won awards for their acting
K: Laverne did Frank-n-Furter justice 100%. I was gagging on her wardrobe and her singing and her trans atlantic accent and her high camp comedic timing and every time she curled her lip just so. Ugh. She was perfect. Not Tim Curry, but she didn’t need to be.
Some of the casting wasn’t my favorite, but I thought everyone gave it their fucking all. It was joyous.
I still kind of wish that it was less rape-y, like, it’s really not OK. But regardless, RHPS will always occupy a soft spot in my glitter queer heart and it was glorious. I was just smiling and singing along the whole fucking time.
I can’t watch this tonight, but I just have to jump in and say that my aunt’s best friend, who I’ve actually worked with and who has done my hair a LOT in the past, did all the hair and wigs for this film :) Keep an eye out for Debra Johnson in the credits!
That’s so cooL!
Awesome!
The whole time I was watching I was thinking about how great Laverne’s wigs were! Major props to your aunt’s friend!
Yay!
if you liked Tim Curry stuff you must have watched Stephen King’s It. It was his best performance next to Clue. Of course the most bat shit crazy scare the crap out of us forever performance.
He was also great in Muppet Treasure Island and the smog monster in Fern Gully.
It left me scarred for life
Like, sometimes I still check storm drains for creepy clowns
y’know, Adam Lambert as Eddie was a great choice
also I AM SO HERE FOR LAVERNE
it was either him or bring back Meatloaf so I mean I’m here for it
My favorite thing about Adam as Eddie is that he was originally offered Frank and turned it down because he recognized that in 2016 Trans Roles should be going to Trans Actors.
http://www.advocate.com/television/2016/3/24/adam-lambert-explains-why-he-turned-down-frank-n-furter-role-rocky-horror
I’m actually not the biggest Adam Lambert fan (though I love his voice), and I have such respect to him for turning down the much larger role and being a good ally in a moment when so many other cis (often gay) male actors are getting it so wrong.
I didn’t know that. This is awesome
oh shit I did not know that!!! ADAM!
I thought that by now Adam Lambert would be a mega star
HONESTLY SAME?
OMG!!!! This is great. Looking forward to watching Rocky Horror but having you liveblogging it just made it a 1000 times better
Thank you guys. I had no idea this was happening and now I’m watching! I missed the Time Warp.
Wth is up with those board shorts on Rocky?
I saw Laverne Cox hit the high and low notes. Omg – that’s when I started loving her interpretation of Frank-n-Furter.
Wow. I think this is less rapey than the original but I’d forgotten how rapey it is.
YEAH IT’S STILL… PRETTY RAPEY
Yeah, pretty damn rapey. Ugh.
I’m kind of cringing that teenage me totally missed how gross and rapey those scenes were.
YUP. :hides face:
I love this Janet. And I love Magenta
Those shorts are too long. Like fricking basketball shorts and just not tight enough. A gad damn travesty.
Yeah, like no. It’s just wrong.
WHAT IS THE POINT OF ROCKY IF HE’S WEARING LONG SHORTS
EXACTLY
Well it seems we got our short shorts after all!!!!!
YASS
We did >D
How can I watch this in Canada? Does anyone know?
Oh I came here to see if you all were doing a live blog- and YES! JACKPOT!
I’m loving, loving, loving Laverne in this role so far!!!
(And guys- she liked one of my tweets about the show! No one in my life is adequately freaking out about this- I AM FREAKING OUT! LAVERNE COX LIKED ON OF MY TWEETS!)
Seriously. She is killing this role.
OMG THAT IS AMAZING. I’M FREAKING OUT WITH YOU FOR SURE
THANK YOU KAELYN!!!!!! (All caps because obviously I’M STILL FREAKING OUT OVER IT!!! lol)
I can’t believe I forgot this was a thing and I missed the first hour of it….
Also I feel kind of embarassed because I’ve never seen all of it–I never could get past the rapey bit, every time that happened I’ve always NOPED out, so maybe it’s not a bad thing that I missed that.
Um wow they made up for the dumb basket ball shorts they did. Here in the finale…
“K: Is this somehow queerer than the original?
M: I’m definitely queerer than the original”
YES. ESPECIALLY FOR QTPOC REPRESENTATION.
Laverne is doing so many things for my black queer femme life right now, that even as a adolescent faithful of the original Rocky, I didn’t know I needed until just now.
I feel so…. whole. And seen. And it is wonderful.
You get it Jane.
If you want them boys and they want they want too, do the things with ’em gurl yes.
I’ve been underwhelmed by a lot of this but I love them all making out in the pool.
Yes.
I can’t wait to see the gif sets of that.
Just yes.
HERE FOR THE POOL MAKEOUTS
I wanna make out in pool, I’ve never made out it a pool.
Made out in the rain, made out in the shower, but never a pool.
This must be rectified.
“M: obviously this isn’t the original cast, this isn’t susan surandon and little nell and meatloaf and tim curry
but i think in a lot of ways they were able to avoid trying to be too much like the original and they made a new thing that was mostly fun and cool.
and laverne was the absolute best and was better in this than 90% of people who have ever won awards for their acting
K: Laverne did Frank-n-Furter justice 100%. I was gagging on her wardrobe and her singing and her trans atlantic accent and her high camp comedic timing and every time she curled her lip just so. Ugh. She was perfect. Not Tim Curry, but she didn’t need to be.
Some of the casting wasn’t my favorite, but I thought everyone gave it their fucking all. It was joyous”
=========================================
IF I could’ve quoted the entire recap I would, but I think this exchange just about sums all of my feelings as well!
Thanks for doing this for us! I really appreciate it.
Yeah, I dunno, hmm…this really did not do it for me. Don’t wanna harsh anyone’s mellow. I just did not like it. It’s like the Glee RHPS. Way too sanitized. Riff and Magenta didn’t even do elbow sex! And Laverne was just not menacing as Frank n Furter in the slightest. They just took out all the edginess and grit. My fella (who didn’t watch the whole thing) glanced over and was like, “This is like a bad high school musical version of RHPS,” and I had to agree.
Damn, did Victoria Justice grow up, though. I used to watch her on Nick, so I always kind of thought of her as a kid. She, uh, she’s no kid now… I was really put off by the sanitized Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me. That’s one of my favorite songs. What’s this jumping on the bed bullshit? She kinda made up for it during Rose Tint My World, though. She did the best of the four in that.
Yeah, I’ll pass on this one. It’s completely lost the B-movie homage feel of the original. This was too slick and prime-time friendly.
Agreed. I love the original so much and I went in to this with an open mind, prepared to still love the shit out of it. Mysicals, teen movies, cheesy movies, remakes….usually my jam. But I am just not.feeling.it at all. And I’m pretty disappointed by that.
I was totally yelling “elbow sex!” at my TV last night. Riff Raff and Magenta did have elbow sex at the very end, but that was it. Couldn’t believe they left that out.
Remember Richard O’Briem is homophobic, so it’s a lot easier not to like him.
Thinking about this morning, I’m finally ready to admit that I was disappointed in the remake. It was kind of boring.
Laverne Cox’s performance was amazing but her Frank wasn’t nearly as creepy or gender fluid as I think it needed to be. And part of Rocky Horror’s appeal is how joyfully transgressive it was and I’m not sure you can ever have that on a prime time network show.
I’ve read a few reviews this morning (Vox, NYT) and I’m disappointed that none of them mentioned the rapey parts.
I really don’t get that choice – if you’re going to sanitize the rest of the story, why not also sanitize the one truly offensive part? (Answer: rape culture means that rape isn’t actually offensive) Making Frankie’s seduction of Brad and Janet actually seductive and not forced would have made their final conversion to weirdness and queerness so much stronger.
I wanted to like this, and I did enjoy parts of it. But nothing compares to the original RHPS. Laverne was great, and I completely fell in love with Columbia, but for the most part I thought it was pretty boring.