Why is MTV remaking The Rocky Horror Picture Show?
 

Why on earth do they think this is a good idea?whatWhatWHAAAAAT!?!

<rolls up a newspaper and bonks MTV on the nose>NO! bad dog! <bonks again> dumb dog!

Because they think they will make money.

And it probably will.

This comment on the article sums it up perfectly:

Maybe they think that this time they can make something good? (No, I don't much care for the original so more power to them if they can do it better.)

Blasphemer!

Just to play devil's advocate here (and yes, I do think that the remake is a beyond-stupid idea), is this really that much different than the staged play (especially the audience participation staged plays) where each night is something a bit different than the original movie? After all, it was a stage play first.

EVERYTHING gets remade.


Everything. This is no dumber than many remakes. I don't know why Rocky Horror would be exempt from the retarded trend to remake absolutely every film that was seen by more than 5 people.

(Plus adopt to film every TV show that had an audience share greater than 16%)

The real question is... can they talk Tim Curry into playing Frank again? Because RHPS is NOTHING w/out Tim Curry!

Okay - the movie is not popular because it's a great movie. It's popular because of the fun that is had at the event.

A new movie will not have the same kitch (sp?) feel to it. Do they think it's going to be another midnight movie event? Or just another movie to see at the Saturday matinee?

Although - I could see going to view it if the parts were played by some interesting people... Imagining who they could cast as Frankenfurther, Brad, Janet, etc could be interesting...


Who would have to be cast in the lead rolls to make it interesting for you?

Frank-n-furter
Janet
Brad
Rocky
Magenta
Riff Raff
Columbia
Dr. Scott
Eddie

Actually, I'd be interested in a totally different take, same as I'm interested in covers of songs that have new perspectives. If they try to truly remake this one with the exact same characters/scenario, they will fail.

Somehow I can see Rose McGowan as Magenta.

Frank-n-furter - Lashy
Janet - BTD
Brad - Brad
Rocky - Leo
Magenta - Goonie
Riff Raff - ISM
Columbia - NA
Dr. Scott - Alex
Eddie - Kevy

But I expect that's just me.

Now, THAT could actually happen, and I'd fly out to LA to see it.

The fairly recent Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show found ways to distinguish itself from the movie, and I'm sure a legit alternate vision of the material could be committed to film. But it doesn't really sound like that's what they're after here. I'd far rather they film the unproduced ROCKY HORROR SHOWS AGAIN, for which Ritz O'Brien has already written songs and written several screenplay drafts.

Sorry - I'm with Alex

Umm... no (see above)

You get to ride a Harley and come to the dinner party.

The Rocky Horror Show has enough distinctiveness from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. But I fear they're going to remake the Picture Show, and - huh? - squeeze in some new, non-O'Brien songs? WTF??


On the other hand ... I've LOVE to do a LoT version of Rocky Horror - - and I'd even shave my head if I could be Riff-Raff!!

And love rock n roll and porn!

*glances at cameras*

Don't tempt me. ;)

Need more editing to do?

You forgot Chris as the criminologist....

Gods no!!! :eek:

Emphasis on the word "think"....

Oh Alex....

It's not about the movie, it's about the experience!

Fair enough. But I still think it's a stupid idea.

Never has a deliberate attempt to make a cult film succeed. It must happen naturally.

And what the fück is up with using music not in the original? If they try to recreate the lost Brad/Riff Raff buttfück scene and accompany it by a rap from Snoop Doggy Style, I am gonna hurl!

Not with a truckload of $100 bills. Tim has only recently gotten to the point where he can talk about Rocky without rolling his eyes in shame. And the man is 62! Incredibly talented, to be sure, but far too old to play Frank. I suppose he could do Crim, but even if he wanted to be involved with Rocky again, I doubt he'd take a step-down role like that.

No part for me? I am hurt.

Thinking like a Hollywood suit, I'm thinking the new songs are going to be released as singles thus adding to the money making aspect of this remake.

Going to a screening of the RHPS is on my to-do list. I have never been.

I think Szczerbiak should direct LoT Rocky Horror as well as being all of the party guests. We could give him the Deep Roy Willy Wonka treatment.
:D

Okay, so did no one but me think: "yes, this is sacrilege, but if they cast Neil Patrick Harris in one of the roles, I might be persuaded to watch..."

Well, I think you'd make a better Eddie than Kevy.


But, much as I think Leo's really cute ;) , I don't think he's hunky enough to be Rocky.


If we had someone hunky enough to be Rocky on the LoT ... well, I wouldn't be wasting my time posting here right now.

:D

While it can be argued that Tim Curry "is" Frank N. Furter (much to the detriment of the rest of his career, sadly), I've seen proof that Frank N. Furter is not necessarily Tim Curry. I was lucky enough to catch Anthony Stewart Head (from the Buffy TV show) as Frank in London - and he was excellent.

I found the movie, standing alone, a joyous experience on a par with "Hairspray." I was often annoyed by the audience "spontaneity."

Now that I think of it, "Hairspray" already did remake "Rocky Horror."

I like Hairspray. Don't know why Rocky Horror does nothing for me.

I think we needs another RHPS meet.

No, it probably has a great shot at making money on this. A whole new generation of fans to not only watch the movie but to also buy the music and more importunately, merchandise.

I see the role of Rocky as that of the innocent man struggling to come to terms with an insane world and his place in it.

I agree with Strangler Lewis. Rocky Horror is just fine as its own delightful, campy self, and the audience experience (though i used to participate regularly) can be highly irritating, relentlessly exclusionary, and deafening. I watch RHPS on my own, on video, not infrequently, and I even have a soft spot for (moments of) its pseudo-sequel SHOCK TREATMENT.

Don't know if I should be flattered, offended, or scared.

All of the above.


(Well, maybe not offended. And who knows? Maybe you're hunkier than you seem. When can I see you with your shirt off??)

The exclusionary part really suprised me. After frequenting Balboa around '87 or so, and finding it fabulously fun, even making up new lines



we came back years later to find not just a whole new crowd, but one that looked at us like we were idiots - outsiders - and didn't feel welcome at all. The last experience with it just left me so disappointed.

Side note - my good friend was pushed from the stage one night, cutting the back of her leg on something and leading to her being taken by ambulance to Hoag... stopping the movie for quite a while in the process. Out of the blue, they got bouncers and just started pushing people during the time warp. All the while she wasn't even supposed to be there - what a fun time when her Dad met up with us all at the hospital.

Well, It's just ME to a tee !

Soooo... When do we start shooting ?? :cheers:

When our guns are loaded.

Or... (really tacky NSFW response)

If that was your experience, I think you need to find a different theater.

Rocky plays every week literally one block from where I live. However, I am not a part of that cast. Instead, I drive 25 minutes down to San Pedro to be in a better cast, in a better theater, with better audiences.

Blatant Plug
This Saturday is Lingere night....

Query: I first saw Rocky Horror in 1978 (after Boss Radio's confirmation), and I remember the ads in the paper from when it was first released. (I thought they were scary.) Now, much as I love To Kill A Mockingbird, The Music Man, King Kong v. Godzilla and many other fine movies released in 1962, the year I was born, I have a hard time viewing these movies and their characters as part of "my time" the way I did Rocky Horror.

So, for you young people, what's the lure? Cultural relevance? Cultural curio? Or is Rocky Horror one of those transcendant creations, like The Beatles that every generation discovers?

Well, I did say "can be," so, luckily, not every experience has been this way. (Otherwise, I would never have clocked over a hundred shows.) Alas, there is only one theater in O-town that shows RHPS, and it definitely has a vibe that doesn't include a middle-aged geek like me. On the other hand, about 8 years ago, I did have a nice run in a community theater production of the show (as Frankie), which was a total blast, and for which we all probably should have been arrested.

I think the answer to this is turning out to be yes.

In the 1970s, the midnight movie was a new concept. Underground indie films like Eraserhead, Pink Flamingos, El Topo and rediscovered gems like Reefer Madness were all the rage at second run and revival house midnight screenings. It literally was a second revenue stream for the theater, and would only work via word of mouth. Rocky Horror, which I saw first with a "dead" audience as the first half of a double feature with Ken Russell's unfortunate Liztomania, had the cultural resonance of a cross-dressing musical Star Wars...once it started screening at midnight. It became a must-see, and grew into an organized cult - a rite of passage as immortalized in Fame, and eventually an evergreen phenomenon.

But I digress. It is one of those transcendant works that each generation discovers...and SL - 1978 was thirty years ago? Seems like only twenty.

Okay, I also liked Lisztomania. There's something wrong with me. (And will this ever see a DVD release?)

I have never seen the movie, but I did enjoy the soundtrack.

Next time I'm in LA with my shirt off in public, I'll let you know.

You can do that when you are here for the Obama rally.

I'll take my shirt off right after I throw him my underwear with the rest of the media.

Me too! and Lair of the White Worm, Gothic, etc.

As for RHPS and song additions there are songs in the stage show that never made it to the screen, so I wonder if that's what is refered to.

The only song in the show that wasn't in the previous movie is 'Once In A While," a ballad mostly for Brad. It was filmed but not used for RHPS, and can be seen in the outtakes on the various DVD releases. 9Also, it can be heard on various cast albums) I don't know if there are any "trunk songs' that Richard O'Brien might toss them or not.

Hmmm, I thought there were more - I may have to venture out in the garage this weekend and look for my Australian cast album, or El Show Del Terror de Rocky

"Once in a while" is the only extra one I know of as well...


....maybe they're planning to use some of the fabulous hits :rolleyes: from "Shock treatment" ?!?

...well, actually, "Little black dress" might fit in somewhere.... I used to love doing drag to that one...

Yeah, I'd say it's become akin to discovering Led Zeppelin...

I'd totally be in this if we were film it, even if just as a party guest...though I'd be interested in understudying for other roles :)

There are a number of Shock Treatment songs I enjoy, including the opening tribute to Denton USA (hey, that one might actually tranlsate to RHPS all right), the title track, Little Black Dress, the Goodnight song, Bitchin' in the Kitchen - on the other hand, there were some stinkers in the mix as well.

Back in the 80s, O'Brien wrote a musical called The Stripper - it was only ever produced in Australia. (Did either of the lashpair manage to see it?) You can download all the songs from it here. The most notorious song is called Man of Steel, which finds several creative ways to rhyme with "hard on." Enjoy.

A teeny derail: I know someone who captured their widescreen laserdisc of Lisztomania to DVD right before he moved from San Francisco...

Trust me on this one. I am a Rocky music expert. I have over 50 different recordings of Rocky Horror cast albums in over 10 different languages.

• Once In A While was the only wholly unused song in the film. Though as previously mentioned, it was filmed and most of its parts can be seen on the DVD.
• Over At The Frankenstein Place has Brad's verse cut. ("I can see the flag fly")
• For the original American edit, Superheroes was severely cut, using just the Aahs and the Crim's dialog. However, many recent pressings of the film have restored Superheroes to its full version.

Cool stuff Zerbee, I didn't know there was a verse missing from Over at the Frankenstein Place! Was it recorded? What are the lyrics?

I love the song Superheroes for whatever reason. I can play it on the piano too :) Stumble, stumble SIT!

Yeah, I didn't know there was a verse missing from that song either.

Eh, I only have the Roxy cast and the off-Broadway and Austrailian Cast recordings of the show. Um, why woudn't that verse be on those (or do I just not remember)?


Oooh, that reminds me. I have a rare misprint LP of the off-Broadway cast that has a side A label on both sides (though the LP recording is correct). Wonder what I could fetch for that on ebay?

All of those recordings have the "missing" verse from Brad:

I can see the flag fly, I can feel the rain, just the same
There has got to be
Something better here for you and me

There's a light ... (etc.)

how I love this show, by the way

From IMDB a few days ago:

Rocky Horror Creator Horrified By TV Movie Plans

14 August 2008 10:24 AM, PDT

So much for the Charles Atlas seal of approval! *bark bark bark*

nope.. too young :rolleyes:

I do remember seeing the tv commercials for the RHS with Reg Livermore... my parents would usually try to distract me from the screen at the time... it didn't work. :D

I stopped at 299 times and am saving 300 for some future special occasion.

I think they're doing it so that they can follow up with

REVENGE OF THE OLD QUEEN!!!

I've read Revenge of the Old Queen, and wish I could hear the songs. Surely, this is what MTV should be making, not a redo of something that is already the perfect thing that it is.

Looks like it's not gonna happen.

Hooray!!!

Guess they heard ya, Szczerb. ;)

For the record, I love Rocky Horror variations. I have literally dozens & dozens of Rocky Horror cast recordings from around the world in multiple languages. Each of them brings something new to the show. Some do it well, others not so much. I will go out of my way to see any production of The Rocky Horror Show that I am able.

My dismay over the announcement to re-make RHPS was because I think it was a poor business decision. Not only can one not succeed at the attempt to deliberately make a cult movie, there are some things that simply cannot be made better, even if they are made better. I'll explain...

Let's say someone in Hollywood got the wild idea to remake Gone with the Wind or The Wizard of Oz. The could hire the best writer, director, actors, designers, etc. Even if they made a fantastic film, it could never be "better" than the 1939 version because those films are so ingrained in our psyches they're sacrosanct. Obviously RHPS is not the same caliber of film as GwtW or TWoO, but it's very much a part of American culture. (I know it's a British-made film, but the Europeans don't get into the film as much as they do the stage version.) I think any attempt to re-make RHPS would be a financial faux pas for the executive who green-lighted (lit?) it.

You were worried about their bottom line? Why? My last concern when dealing with entertainment is whether someone makes money or not.

Wait, if you were deliberately making a cult movie, you'd want it to be a flop, not a cash cow.

Wait again. What do these movies have to do with remaking a cult movie? These are the exact opposite of a cult movie.

Also - remakes aren't usually supposed to be "better" than the originals. They are made in various flavors - to take a good idea and make it current, take a good idea and take it further, take a good idea and push it into a different context, take a good idea and look at another angle...

In any case, I think the first thing you said goes against the rest of the post.
I have to say your whole post confuses me.



Remakes and book-to-movie adaptations make me simultaneously excited and frightened, and I make no bones about it. Something that actually gets to "beloved" status is going to get all sorts of reactions as someone tries to re-imagine it. I try to take each on a case-by-case basis. For my part, I'd like to see a complete redo of RH, but that's only because I don't have as much emotionally invested in it as many others do. If you hate the idea of anyone touching your beloved film (believe me, I've got my own list locked in a vault somewhere) that's totally justified.

I'm not sure cult film automatically equals flop. RHPS has made nearly $150 million over the years. It cost just about a million to make.

I used them as an example of beloved films, not cult movies.

Sure, they're supposed to be better. But how many times are they better?

That's okay, I confuse myself sometimes.

And it probably doesn't help that I was posting while very tired and in severe pain.

For me, and I suspect a lot of other RHPS fans, it's not so much that the movie is beloved, it's the experience. I don't do Rocky every week to see master cinematic opus. I go for the experience of audience participation mixed with live action mixed with filmed images mixed with some pretty damn good songs. Without all of those things RHPS is just another movie musical.

Well yeah, but the vast bulk of that was AFTER it became a cult classic.

I'm trying to think of a good example of a cult classic that did big numbers from the start. So far I'm coming up dry...

Rocky Horror was better acted than Gone With the Wind.

If a cult film is like a cult, then it is something that gets a strong and unhealthy hold on people beyond what is logical or reasonable, logic and reason in this case being a function of cinematic merit. Of course, one man's cult is another man's religion. Therefore, profitability should not be a barrier to calling something a cult film. In that vein, I suggest that obviously profitable cult films include "Titanic," "Star Wars," "Transformers," etc.

Arise dead thread, ARISE!

Will Glee Creator Ryan Murphy Helm Rocky Horror Remake?

It's not unthinkable that someone could find a way to bring a fresh approach to this, but im not at all convinced Ryan Murphy would ne the one.

Well they are doing a special Rocky Horror Glee episode. Look around the interwebs and you can find some of the music... sounds like fun!!

Ugh. I can see it now: Taylor Swift as Janet, Zac Efron as Brad, The Situation as Rocky...

I'm gonna watch it (and it will actually be my first episode of Glee if I do), but they've de-gayed the whole thing, and I find it objectionable. Sure, Frank was often played by women by fans, but it's VITAL to the role that the part be played by a man. Not so in Glee. Oh, and apparently Eddie can't be sexy if he's not super-slim. And Rocky can't go shirtless because WTF? Why? The sample of music I heard (The Time Warp) was bland and boring. I was intrigued by this, and will likely still watch it, but LAME.

So, yeah, I hope the film remake project remains on the shelf indefinitely.

I say skip Glee. Grab the original on blu-ray, slip into something uncomfortable, make some toast and watch it with a few friends.

My mom bought me a copy of The Rocky Horror Glee Show CD and I quite like it. Some of the lyrics have been changed which I found odd (e.g., "I'm a Sweet Transvestite from sensational Transylvania" wtf?), but on the whole I quite like their take on it. Mercedes as Frank brings a cool R&B styling to the song which I've never heard before. (which is saying something considering I have almost 50 different recordings of Rocky)

They finally got Finn off that gawddamn autotune which is a relief. He sings Brad with an appropriate level of nebishness. I think Quinn's "Touch-Me" is probably the weakest of the lot. She's not that strong vocally and the partially de-sexed lyrics are too distracting.

If you like Glee and you like Rocky, I say get it. If you're a Rocky album collector, it's an absolute must. Otherwise, watch the episode first and decide for yourself.

I think every time you read a post of mine in this thread, you should yell "asshole!" Do it wherever you are. Work, church, dog park...

ASSHOLE!

There ya go.

What's odd about the Glee costuming choice is that Chord Overstreet, who plays Rocky, is seen sporting a gold tank top to match his shorts. Chord has given an interview saying he's contractually required to have his shirt off twice in every episode of Glee (cutely claiming he's now TV's Taylor Lautner) and that they make him live up to that provision very often. So why not shirtless for the role that's famously shirtless? :rolleyes:

His name is Chord and he's on "Glee". That's funny.

:eek: Wow! I thought I was going overboard with just six or seven.

So, not counting the easily available versions, which would be the most rewarding to hunt down?

"Touch-Me" is being sung not by Quinn, but by the guidance counselor, btw.

By the way, I don't think they're making The Rocky Horror Glee Show for us.* They're making it for all of those kids out there who don't know RHPS. And who may have their eyes opened to it through the show. Yes, networks are real sh!ts about what needs censoring. But there's a whole lot they're allowing the writers to discuss on prime time air these days, including on Glee. Progress in the right direction, at least.

*us=any RHPS fan

This reminds me of a concert I saw, put on by a Disney cast member choir and orchestra (quite good!) a few years back. It was all show tunes, and the most memorable number was a big chorale of "La Vie Boheme' from RENT. I recall a couple of very creative Disney-mandated alterations:

"To S&M" became "To M&Ms"

and my favorite,

"Mucho masturbation" became "Cinderellabration!"

Blasphemy!

Well that's an interesting euphemism - are there others for when you fantasize about different Disney princesses?

Yes, but I still can't understand why they won't let adorable Chord go shirtless for this episode when they demand he be shirtless every third time he's on-screen. ;)

Well, for all I know, he rips the tank-top off at some point, Maybe they just couldn't afford all those mummy bandages.

Or, in my case, when you fantasize about some of the cute animated Disney boys. I believe one of those innocent euphemisms is Aladdinyourlap.

Quoted.

To hunt down or listen to?

I think the 1981 Australian EP is quite a good listen. Daniel Aberneri as Frank is top notch. The 1978 New Zealand cast has a really unusual "Time Warp" with hootin'n'hollerin' phantoms who sound almost spectral as well as Gary Glitter as Frank. I'll always be s soft spot for the 1977 Norsk cast recording because it's sung in Norwegian and I learned how to sing along phonetically with all the songs. There's a studio recording on the JAY label in 1996 which featured Brian May singing & playing an awesome guitar on "Whatever Happened to Saturday Night"—worth the price of the CD for that one song.

I suppose one of the rarest ones legitimately released (i.e., not counting the dozen or so bootlegs) would be the 1997 South African cast. Also quite rare is the 1985 vinyl record (many years later it was later released on CD) of a studio recording called The Rocky Horrow Disco Show. Oh, and the 1991 CD single of "Sweet Transvestite" sung by Anthony Head (of Buffy and Repo fame) is very, very rare and a great listen.

I could go on and on, but if you're really interested, be sure to visit The Musical World of Rocky Horror.

I was listening to the CD on the way home and remembered I saw a picture of Quinn as Columbia, so she couldn't (shouldn't) be singing "Touch-Me". And since Rachel is Janet, I was scratching my head wondering who I was hearing. Thank you for setting me "straight". ;)

Maybe he dis-lamés later on and that's just one photo in which he happens to be more fully clad?

http://www.zimbio.com/Chord+Overstre...+Horror+Shorts

Theres a small photo there that shows him sans top :)

Coincidence? I think not.

In the middle of all this talk about de-sexing Glee's version of Rocky, Some of the cast does a racy photo shoot for GQ.

Possible NSFW - No nudity, just legg's spread panty photos.

Terry Richardson is the sleaziest high-end photographer.

He is?

Huh. I wonder if he has a book out.

Glee's Time Warp

Behind the scenes of the RHGS

|This explains one thing - the Wuss playing Rocky didn't want to wear the tight shorts (his role was a little too small apparently) and so therefore we have Rocky in gold boardshorts. :rolleyes:

And now there is all sorts of "parental outrage" because adults playing teens on TV have been sexed up. Better adults playing teens then teens playing teens (Miley Cyrus anyone??)

The costuming choices were a little weird in spots (um, the Columbia outfit, huh?) ... but at least Rocky does take his top off at some point. And that Chord Overstreet is a total cutie. :cool:

I think we need "The LoTty Horror Picture Show". I can be Eddie. Or Janet. ;)

dibs on Columbia!

I guess I'll play the part of one of the partygoers.

That paints a vivid mental image. :eek:

dibs, not nips ;)

I can totally see Chris as The Criminologist.

"Like Your Neck!!!"

Bwahaha, I think I liked that more than I'm going to like Glee tomorrow. But an homage will still be fun.

See you tomorrow night :)

Well, that was better and worse than I expected.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Rocky stuff. I was very disappointed with Glee as a show, and am not nearly as interested in watching the series from the start as I was before last night.


But as an excuse to do some numbers from Rocky, I think they pulled it off nicely, and explained away the odd "casting" choices reasonably.

Toucha-a-Touch Me was absolutely the highlight for me. So well done, cute, sexy, rather brilliant, imo.

The other numbers came off pretty good, too. The Time Warp, which I saw leaked on the internet, was the worst of them - so I'm glad that was the spoiler. The odd take on Sweet Transvestite was rad, and Hot Patootie was wild fun.

Alas, I was disappointed in cutie boy, Chord Overstreet. Oh, he's better looking and more buff than I even anticipated - but I think he's a terrible actor. Actually, perfect for Rocky in every respect. Maybe he'll get some on-the-job improvements as the show goes on, but I thought he was awful - except for looking pretty. Perfect.Rocky.


And it was, to my delight, a pretty perfect Rocky Horror homage. But I'm meh about the show and the characters. Maybe I'll try and catch a "regular" episode, but I think it's played a little too silly and yet not surrealistic enough for my tastes. Fantasy High School is a tough tone to tackle. It's not fair for me to judge it based on one episode, I guess. But I'm not impressed.

So for me: Glee=Huh? What's all the fuss?

Not its best episode, iSm. The best stuff comes from Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) and Brittney S. Pierce. And they weren't tip-top.

I have a love-hate relationship with Glee. I love it, I can't stop watching it. But when I step away, I feel like it's not that great. And yet I love it, and I keep watching it.

Give it a shot from the beginning. You might find you have the same problem. Or you might be on one extreme or the other. Don't judge it by last night, though.

Well, a main problem I had was ... Jane Lynch's character is the break-out. Sue Sylvester has become famous even to people who don't watch the show. And now I don't know why. I didn't think she was funny or entertaining or enjoyable to watch. In fact, I felt that way about ALL the characters, but since she was supposed to be such a standout of comedic brilliance - I was left really scratching my head.

BUT ... to be fair, I'll rent the DVDs and watch the first half of the first season that got everyone hooked.


And I enjoyed the Rocky stuff tremendously.



Oh, cameos by Barry Bostwick and Meatloaf were inspired (though I didn't recognize poor Meatloaf - time hasn't been kind.)

We have just recently started watching Glee from beginning and so far we are happy with it (we just watched the first episode on the second disc last night).

Although I am amused about the uproar about the "sexualization" of Glee from the GQ shoot. I think it was the second episode where they do a racy dance number to Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It"