Arts & Entertainment

‘Rocky Horror’ remake is pale and pointless imitation

Despite strong Laverne Cox performance, too many commercials sap made-for-TV production

Published

9 years ago

October 21, 2016

Brian T. Carney

The cast of ‘Rocky Horror.’ (Photo courtesy Fox)

With its endless commercial breaks, the broadcast of Fox TV’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again” was doomed to failure. The televised film can never gain any momentum and lots of great material had to be cut or sanitized to cram the musical highlights into a two-hour prime time network television slot.

Actually, with perpetual pop-up ads for the soundtrack running during the movie (on sale today!), the commercials never really stopped.

Although the streaming experience may not be much more pleasant, there are some moments to enjoy. With an able assist from the Transylvanians, Ryan McCartan as Brad and Victoria Justice as Janet bring an earnest unforced innocence and good comic timing to “Dammit, Janet.” The choreography is light and inventive, and staging the number in a cemetery with a tombstone for Mary Shelley is a clever touch.

On the wild side, Laverne Cox (Dr. Frank-N-Furter) finally captures the mad scientist’s dangerous and delightful sense of menace during “Planet Schmanet Janet.” The movie briefly sparks to life as Cox strides through the mansion in her sexy new costume. Frank is suddenly in command, whipping the servants and humans into shape and releasing the powerful Medusa Transducer.

With powerful vocals and an elegant staging, Cox also delivers a fine rendition of the ballad “I’m Going Home.” The number pops when the camera pulls back from a close-up of Cox to reveal the wildly cheering onscreen audience. Although they’re separated by time and space, Cox basks in their applause. It’s a glimpse of magic.

But, aside from a few moments like these, Fox TV’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again” never captures the subversive magic or manic energy of the original stage musical or the unforgettable 1975 movie. It’s a remake without a cause, a pale imitation hampered by an awkward framing device, bad production choices and some terrible acting.

Director Kenny Ortega and Costume Designer William Ivey Long seem paralyzed by the material. In a botched attempt to capture the feel of a midnight screening, Ortega frames the movie with an onscreen audience, a poorly-conceived and unevenly executed idea. The choreography is sloppy and the bizarre design theme seems to be “anything but the original.”

Working with a director who could capitalize on her extraordinary talents and experiences, Laverne Cox could be a revelatory Frank. Here, her performance never recovers from the hideous headdress that literally masks her big entrance. The casting of veterans Tim Curry (the Criminologist) and Ben Vereen (Dr. Scott) never really works (although Jayne Eastwood is captivating as the Criminologist’s Butler) and most of the younger performers seem to fade away into the background. Reeve Carney’s Riff Raff is especially odd, a lifeless impersonation of Richard O’Brien (the man who wrote the show and played Riff Raff in the original stage and screen productions).

The original movie of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is both a camp classic and a cornerstone of modern queer culture. It’s offered generations of misfits a vision of a fabulous alternative space where they could find community and validation. Hopefully. “TRHPS:LDTTWA” won’t spoil that experience for future generations.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Cupid’s Undie Run

Annual fundraiser for NF research held at The Wharf DC

Published

14 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Michael Key

A dance party was held at Union Stage before Cupid's Undie Run on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Cupid’s Undie Run, an annual fundraiser for neurofibromatosis (NF) research, was held at Union Stage and at The Wharf DC on Saturday, Feb. 21.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Out & About

Sweat DC expands to Shaw

Community workout and social planned for March 14

Published

15 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Sweat DC is officially expanding to Shaw, opening a new location at 1818 7th St., N.W., on Saturday, March 28 — and they’re kicking things off with a high-energy, community-first launch event.

To celebrate, Sweat DC is hosting Sweat Fest, a free community workout and social on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the historic Howard Theatre. The event features a group fitness class, live DJ, local food and wellness partners, and a mission-driven partnership with the Open Goal Project, which works to expand access to youth soccer for players from marginalized communities.

For more details, visit Sweat DC’s website and reserve a spot on Eventbrite.

Calendar

Calendar: February 20-26

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 days ago

February 20, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, Feb. 20

Center Aging Monthly Luncheon with Yoga will be at noon at the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the D.C. Center. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome! We’ll have card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the Center’s website.

Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, Feb. 21

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, Feb. 22

Queer Talk DC will host “The Black Gay Flea Market” at 1 p.m. at Doubles in Petworth. There will be more than 15 Black queer vendors from all over the DMV in one spot. The event’s organizers have reserved the large back patio for all vendors, and the speak easy for bar service, which will be serving curated cocktails made just for the event (cash bar.) DJ Fay and DJ Jam 2x will be spinning the entire event. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, Feb. 23

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam at [email protected].

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100 percent cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].

Thursday, Feb. 26

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.