This was not a planned entry today. In fact I had no intention of even discussing "The Rocky Horror Glee Show" at all. First let me say I did not enjoy the episode, it lacked the usual pacing and really didn't make any sense to me at all. That is neither here nor there, at least at the moment.
Instead this is in response to a brilliant post form the Bilerico Project. The post in question criticizes the episodes for several key plot points the show dealt with. The author Alex Blaze makes his case with great care and strong arguments. The problem is, his reasoning is off to me, as stated the case is compelling and arguably strong.
The first gripe is against the episode is the gratuitous use of the word "tranny". Alex blasts the show for not dealing with the use of that word by Mike Chang. Mike breaks into a meeting between teacher Mr. Schuster and Guidance counselor Emma to relay that he will not be able to play Frank N Furter because his parents won't allow him to. The line is "I really want to do it, but my parents are just not cool with me dressing up like a tranny."
Alex cites Glee's powerful episode last year, when Kurts father went on a tirade after hearing Finn say the word 'faggy'. Of course given the context of the episode it made sense that Burt would tell off someone he thought was attacking his son. In the case of the now infamous episode Finn had been growing increasingly intolerant of Kurt, and what he perceived as Kurts feelings for him. Finns irrational anger built right into the climatic scene and Burt let loose with the reason why the word 'fag' or any other connotation that can be said.
In the 'Rocky Horror' episode 'tranny' is not used in a derogatory way, rather the line is a simple reason why the character can not appear in the play. One could argue that one of the adults could have at least corrected him and set him on the path to tolerance. This argument does not hold water with me for 2 reasons. First, unlike when the word 'faggy' was uttered, there was no anger or intolerance. Mike was only repeating what his parents had to say, and it must be pointed out that he volunteered to play the role of Frank N Furter. Secondly, this response was probably exactly what the producers wanted. The fact that it was established in the last new Glee that Mike was not comfortable with his singing voice as it is, seems to be have been forgotten by many people. They could have easily used this as a reason but then we wouldn't still be talking about the episode now would we? Very doubtful.
The next complaint Alex makes is the fact that Mercedes ended up playing, the most famoustransvestite probably ever created, Frank N Furter. Whats the problem with that? According to the other blog, the show and the network didn't "have the balls" to dress a boy up as a girl. One of the best cases he presents is that guest star John Stamos says originally he was going to play the role but the network poo-pooed the idea. Here I stand with Fox, just from a plot point of view it doesn't make sense to include adults in a high school production, it just plain doesn't. Sure he ended up joining the cast by very implausible ways.
Of course original choice for Frank N Furter turned it down. Yes I know its a show and they write what the actors say, however the reason for Kurt turning it down actually makes a lot of sense. "no. There is no way I am playing a transvestite in high heels, and fishnets and lipstick." Sure this doesn't say anything but Santanas next line does "Why because that look was last season?" In typical subtle fashion the writers and producers let the homophobia and teasing be known without going over the top with it. It must also be noted that real teen boys would not take the role. I asked both of my teenagedbrothers if they would have played a role similar to this and they said "Uh no" and "heck nah" respectively.
A very weak argument that is made is that Glee needed to grab some cool from Rocky Horror to sellsome albums. Thats not the case at all, in fact the second episode of the season was a tribute to one Ms. Britney Spears and they could have released that as a CD and sold a ton more CDs if thats what they wanted to do. The reason why they choose Rocky Horror is because it is their Halloween episode and to advance the Will/Carl/Emma triangle.
The weeks other big storyline was about body image, though done with a twist. It was the boys who weren't comfortable with their bodies. The argument was made the Rocky's costume for the McKinley High is infinitely less revealing. This is true, but theres a reason for it. On the big screen, the actor playing Rocky was over the age of 18 and could legally do what he wanted. In the world of Glee, Sam, who had been chosen to play the role, is only 15 or 16 years old. Of course the better argument might be that this was suppose to be a high school production and the outrage parents would have had, if the board shorts he was allowed to wear were any shorter.
Anyone ever feel fat? Raise your hands. Finn confided in Rachel that he feels fat and has a problem with the way he looks, even though "it's not manly or anything." Alex argues that Cory Monteith is in great shape and therefore shouldn't have these issues. Here I have a VERY big issue and respectfully disagree. Do you need to be overweight in order to think you're fat? No, because thats not how life works. Sure Finn should know that he's in shape but then so should these supermodels who don't eat or throw up what they eat so they don't have the calories to worry about.
What if it was one of the girls that was having the body issues, would we be talking about it? I really don't think so, but thankfully the show eschewed the easy route and actually tackled the subject about boys body issues. If Mercedes had been the one to have trouble it would have been out of character for her, she embraces her body and thinks that she is hot!! How good did she look in her costume as Frank N Furter?
As for how Mr. Schu interprets Rocky Horror as being about outcasts coming together, and having a place where they belong. In the article it says thats wrong, because "Rocky Horror" is about pushing the envelope, making the public believe the rebellions view. For me part of the fun of arts is that everyone is allowed their own point of view, if their not then shouldn't the original writer be the one to tell us what the show is about? For the record my understanding of the movie is the same as Alex's.
Instead this is in response to a brilliant post form the Bilerico Project. The post in question criticizes the episodes for several key plot points the show dealt with. The author Alex Blaze makes his case with great care and strong arguments. The problem is, his reasoning is off to me, as stated the case is compelling and arguably strong.
The first gripe is against the episode is the gratuitous use of the word "tranny". Alex blasts the show for not dealing with the use of that word by Mike Chang. Mike breaks into a meeting between teacher Mr. Schuster and Guidance counselor Emma to relay that he will not be able to play Frank N Furter because his parents won't allow him to. The line is "I really want to do it, but my parents are just not cool with me dressing up like a tranny."
Alex cites Glee's powerful episode last year, when Kurts father went on a tirade after hearing Finn say the word 'faggy'. Of course given the context of the episode it made sense that Burt would tell off someone he thought was attacking his son. In the case of the now infamous episode Finn had been growing increasingly intolerant of Kurt, and what he perceived as Kurts feelings for him. Finns irrational anger built right into the climatic scene and Burt let loose with the reason why the word 'fag' or any other connotation that can be said.
In the 'Rocky Horror' episode 'tranny' is not used in a derogatory way, rather the line is a simple reason why the character can not appear in the play. One could argue that one of the adults could have at least corrected him and set him on the path to tolerance. This argument does not hold water with me for 2 reasons. First, unlike when the word 'faggy' was uttered, there was no anger or intolerance. Mike was only repeating what his parents had to say, and it must be pointed out that he volunteered to play the role of Frank N Furter. Secondly, this response was probably exactly what the producers wanted. The fact that it was established in the last new Glee that Mike was not comfortable with his singing voice as it is, seems to be have been forgotten by many people. They could have easily used this as a reason but then we wouldn't still be talking about the episode now would we? Very doubtful.
The next complaint Alex makes is the fact that Mercedes ended up playing, the most famoustransvestite probably ever created, Frank N Furter. Whats the problem with that? According to the other blog, the show and the network didn't "have the balls" to dress a boy up as a girl. One of the best cases he presents is that guest star John Stamos says originally he was going to play the role but the network poo-pooed the idea. Here I stand with Fox, just from a plot point of view it doesn't make sense to include adults in a high school production, it just plain doesn't. Sure he ended up joining the cast by very implausible ways.
Of course original choice for Frank N Furter turned it down. Yes I know its a show and they write what the actors say, however the reason for Kurt turning it down actually makes a lot of sense. "no. There is no way I am playing a transvestite in high heels, and fishnets and lipstick." Sure this doesn't say anything but Santanas next line does "Why because that look was last season?" In typical subtle fashion the writers and producers let the homophobia and teasing be known without going over the top with it. It must also be noted that real teen boys would not take the role. I asked both of my teenagedbrothers if they would have played a role similar to this and they said "Uh no" and "heck nah" respectively.
A very weak argument that is made is that Glee needed to grab some cool from Rocky Horror to sellsome albums. Thats not the case at all, in fact the second episode of the season was a tribute to one Ms. Britney Spears and they could have released that as a CD and sold a ton more CDs if thats what they wanted to do. The reason why they choose Rocky Horror is because it is their Halloween episode and to advance the Will/Carl/Emma triangle.
The weeks other big storyline was about body image, though done with a twist. It was the boys who weren't comfortable with their bodies. The argument was made the Rocky's costume for the McKinley High is infinitely less revealing. This is true, but theres a reason for it. On the big screen, the actor playing Rocky was over the age of 18 and could legally do what he wanted. In the world of Glee, Sam, who had been chosen to play the role, is only 15 or 16 years old. Of course the better argument might be that this was suppose to be a high school production and the outrage parents would have had, if the board shorts he was allowed to wear were any shorter.
Anyone ever feel fat? Raise your hands. Finn confided in Rachel that he feels fat and has a problem with the way he looks, even though "it's not manly or anything." Alex argues that Cory Monteith is in great shape and therefore shouldn't have these issues. Here I have a VERY big issue and respectfully disagree. Do you need to be overweight in order to think you're fat? No, because thats not how life works. Sure Finn should know that he's in shape but then so should these supermodels who don't eat or throw up what they eat so they don't have the calories to worry about.
What if it was one of the girls that was having the body issues, would we be talking about it? I really don't think so, but thankfully the show eschewed the easy route and actually tackled the subject about boys body issues. If Mercedes had been the one to have trouble it would have been out of character for her, she embraces her body and thinks that she is hot!! How good did she look in her costume as Frank N Furter?
As for how Mr. Schu interprets Rocky Horror as being about outcasts coming together, and having a place where they belong. In the article it says thats wrong, because "Rocky Horror" is about pushing the envelope, making the public believe the rebellions view. For me part of the fun of arts is that everyone is allowed their own point of view, if their not then shouldn't the original writer be the one to tell us what the show is about? For the record my understanding of the movie is the same as Alex's.
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