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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FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Calendar

Calendar: March 27-April 2

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

8 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, March 27

Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. 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.

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

Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].

Saturday, March 28

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.

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.

Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].

Monday, March 30

“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 ([email protected]).

“Tea Time! A Local DC Drag Comedy Show” will be at 3 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a live drag comedy show where drag legends TrevHER & Tiara Missou Sidora host spill all the tea in the DMV. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Tuesday, March 31

Visibili-TEA Party will be at 6 p.m. at Restoration Station. Guests are encouraged to come sip, celebrate, and shine together. This event is a Trans Day of Visibility celebration and a special collaboration between Auntie’s Home and Damien Ministries. This is a boozy tea party with intention and the dress code reflects the vibe. More details are available on Eventbrite.

Wednesday, March 1

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.

Thursday, April 2

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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.

Out & About

Celebrate cherry blossoms the drag way

Unconventional Diner hosts bingo party

Published

8 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

The cherry blossoms are here. Celebrate at a unique event hosted by Unconventional Diner. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Unconventional Diner will host “Cherry Blossom Drag Bingo Party” on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.

Guests will be treated to an unforgettable night of drag performances, bingo, food and drink and prizes. Highlights of the evening include themed cocktails, drag performances and bingo prizes.

Tickets can be secured via Resy.

Sports

New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics

New regulation to be in effect at 2028 summer games in Los Angeles

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Michael K. Lavers

(Photo by Greg Martin; courtesy IOC)

The International Olympic Committee on Thursday announced it will not allow transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympics.

“For all disciplines on the Sports Program of an IOC event, including individual and team sports, eligibility for any Female Category is limited to biological females,” reads the new policy.

The policy states “eligibility for the Female Category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY Gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY Gene.”

“On the basis of the scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the SRY (sex-determining Region Y) Gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced or will experience male sex development,” it reads. “Furthermore, the IOC considers that SRY Gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria for competition in the Female Category.”

The policy states the test “will be a once-in-a-lifetime test” unless “there is reason to believe a negative reading is in error.”

The new regulation will be in place for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

“I understand that this a very sensitive topic,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday in a video. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.”

“The policy that we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advances in sport that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” she added. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”

(Video courtesy of the IOC)

Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, in 2021 became the first trans woman to compete at the Olympics.

Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Khelif later sued JK Rowling and Elon Musk for cyberstalking after they questioned her gender identity.

Ellis Lundholm, a mogul skier from Sweden, this year became the first openly trans athlete to compete in any Winter Olympics when he participated in Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.

President Donald Trump in February 2025 issued an executive order that bans trans women and girls from female sports teams in the U.S.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee last July banned trans women from competing in female sporting events. Republican lawmakers have demanded the IOC ban trans athletes from women’s athletic competitions.

“I’m grateful the Olympics finally embraced the common sense policy that women’s sports are for women, not for men,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on X.

An IOC spokesperson on Thursday referred the Washington Blade to the press release that announced the new policy.