But it's a part of his character. He likes singing show tunes and songs with a high register. I wouldn't expect Kurt to sing "Ol' Man River" when "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" is more consistent with the songs he's sung before. And "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" isn't even that high a register.
Actually, now that I think about it, it would be quite interesting to hear him sing "Ol' Man River." He may not be able to reach the low notes the way Dorothy Zbornak could though...
But still, I'd rather the character of Kurt sing what he wants to sing, not what he should sing because he's a male. Otherwise it's "Defying Gravity" all over again. Depriving a character of a song he can do simply because of societal and biological difference of opinion.
albert
WIST #60:
AwallaceUNC: Would you prefer Substi-Blu-tiary Locomotion?
WIST #61:
TheSequelOfDisney: Damn, did Lin-Manuel Miranda go and murder all your families?
Can't be any worse than Lea Michele and Idina Menzel singing about "muffins" to each other in "Poker Face."
Btw, I listened to the Rod Stewart/Dolly Parton clip you posted Escapay. It's not generally my type of song, but I do like it and, more importantly, I can really picture Colfer/Kurt singing that.
Listening to most often lately:
Taylor Swift ~ ~ "The Fate of Ophelia"
Taylor Swift ~ "Eldest Daughter"
Taylor Swift ~ "CANCELLED!"
I really really liked The Rocky Horror Glee Show! Right now I'm leaning toward it being the best of the season (well so far). Artie was frickin' hilarious working out. And all of the songs and performances were great. Sue's back!! Geez, I missed her. This is definitely one of my favorite episodes. Now I don't like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but I definitely love The Rocky Horror Glee Show! Great job! I can't think of anything I didn't like! Too bad we have to wait an extra week for the next episode, though. I can't wait for Living On A Prayer!
Okay, so tonight's episode... It could have been a total trainwreck (which, honestly, I was expecting), but it wasn't. At all.
I was also very pleased with how they portrayed the Glee Club having to deal with the, um... suggestive subject matter that is Rocky Horror. I mean, RHS would never fly at an actual High School, which I had thought made the episode a little too frivolous. But not really.
I mean, anybody who's been in a school Drama club knows that lyrics and lines get tweaked or changed, character's genders are switched or played by a person of opposite gender, and some things have to be cut out. I do appreciate that Glee showed that.
The music was great, the lines were funny, and this is definitely an episode of Glee I know I'll want to visit again in the future. My favorite or the best episode of the season so far? I don't think so. But it's leagues ahead of B/B which just wasn't... that... good.
Oh, and for those who are curious, I am not a Rocky Horror virgin, but I'm certainly not a long-term fan. I watched it for the first time over the weekend (I liked it), but I knew of the film before Glee. I repeat, I knew of the film before Glee. Glee was just my incentive to watch it...
Based on the songs alone I was worried about this episode, but I'm so glad I saw it in the end. Things that seemed odd just listening to the vocals (like why is Mercedes playing Frank?) was given reasonable explanations in the plot and I like the lips at the beginning, which I figured they were going to do.
And of course we got a nice after-school lesson about begin comfortable in your own body, but at least it was with the guys.
The movie's songs are better of course, but that's because the cast was chosen specifically for those parts, not an already separate cast who were chosen for different roles and then had to fit into the Rocky Horror plot. At least most were passable and I'm glad Emma got to sang "Touch-A Touch-A Touch Me", that was my favorite song in the episode.
I thought this was a very good episode. Like UmbrellaFish said, this had the potential to be a disaster, and I admit I was kind of afraid of that going in. I was pleased to see the songs integrated well in with the storyline.
My favorite scene was definitely Emma performing "Touch Me." Giving her that song is just as inspired as giving her "Like A Virgin" last season. Bringing in Brittany and Santana for Columbia and Magenta's parts was icing on the cake.
I'm not sure I buy Kurt turning down the role of Frank. He leaps at the opportunity to wear outlandish ensembles. Why would he suddenly turn away from wearing a corset and fishnet stockings? Then again, have we ever actually seen Kurt cross dress? The Lady Gaga episode seems to be the closest he's gotten. Hmm...
I definitely got an Uncle Jesse flashback at hearing John Stamos sing "Hot Patootie." Heck, that even sounds like a song Jesse would've sung on Full House which makes this another perfect match-up.
Rachel during "Sweet Transvestite" was hilarious, but does anyone know why the word "Transsexual" was cut out? At first I thought it was because they had a female (Mercedes) playing the role, but then why keep "Transvestite" other than because it's the title of the song? It's not like it's an offensive term.
In the end, I had a lot of fun with this episode. I'm not a big Rocky Horror fan, but I like it well enough and thought the episode was a satisfying tribute to it. In fact, I'd say I like this episode more than the Madonna and Britney tributes. It's not my favorite of the season (that still goes to Duets), but I'd say it's a very solid second.
Disneykid wrote:does anyone know why the word "Transsexual" was cut out? At first I thought it was because they had a female (Mercedes) playing the role, but then why keep "Transvestite" other than because it's the title of the song?
I think because any guy can put on a dress and still be a guy, just as any girl can wear a suit and still be a girl. When transsexualism comes into the picture, it brings attention to the fact that people are physically changing themselves into another sex. And I doubt many ignorant parents (and even some open-minded ones) would want their kids singing along to the "Rocky Horror Glee Show" EP in the car about how they're transsexuals. It's still perceived as an uncomfortable topic for some. At least, that's why I think they changed it.
Plus, now I'm imagining 7-year-old Joey Bobby asking his dad Joe Bob, "Daddy, where's Transsexual, Transylvania? Can we go there? It sounds like a fun place!"
albert
WIST #60:
AwallaceUNC: Would you prefer Substi-Blu-tiary Locomotion?
WIST #61:
TheSequelOfDisney: Damn, did Lin-Manuel Miranda go and murder all your families?
Here goes folks!!! I watched "GLEE" last night because it was the Rocky Horror tribute show and I was very disappointed with all the censorship of the songs. Totally enjoyed the show otherwise, it was what I expected except for the word choices in a couple of the songs.
Right now it is safe to say "I LIKED IT!!!!", but with some reservations.
Not enough for me to be a regular viewer but I will check in once in a while to see how things are going.
The only way to watch movies - Original Aspect Ratio!!!!
I LOVE my Blu-Ray Disc Player!
Disneykid wrote:does anyone know why the word "Transsexual" was cut out? At first I thought it was because they had a female (Mercedes) playing the role, but then why keep "Transvestite" other than because it's the title of the song?
I think because any guy can put on a dress and still be a guy, just as any girl can wear a suit and still be a girl. When transsexualism comes into the picture, it brings attention to the fact that people are physically changing themselves into another sex. And I doubt many ignorant parents (and even some open-minded ones) would want their kids singing along to the "Rocky Horror Glee Show" EP in the car about how they're transsexuals. It's still perceived as an uncomfortable topic for some. At least, that's why I think they changed it.
Plus, now I'm imagining 7-year-old Joey Bobby asking his dad Joe Bob, "Daddy, where's Transsexual, Transylvania? Can we go there? It sounds like a fun place!"
albert
Which to me begs the question if you have to strip something of its essence (i.e. changing genders and lyrics), why do it at all? If I really really want to direct a production of, oh, "Rent" but the school board says Angel has to be an actual woman instead of a drag queen and we can't include any overt sexual references, why don't we just do "Hello, Dolly!" instead? I mean... there's a reason why my high school did "42nd Street" and not "Rocky Horror."
Additionally, were your school actually doing "The Rocky Horror Show," you can't just hack out bits of songs and change characters. That's standard for doing any production of any show. It's... pretty illegal. I imagine changing the homeplanet of the Transylvanians would fall under that category. "Soon we will return to our beloved planet! Sweet Sensational! Land of nights!"
And not to mention the lyrics changes to "Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me." Heavy sweating? Bad fretting (which borders on the nonsensical)? I want a friendly man? Glomit.
"Ta ta ta taaaa! Look at me... I'm a snowman! I'm gonna go stand on someone's lawn if I don't get something to do around here pretty soon!"
dvdjunkie wrote:Here goes folks!!! I watched "GLEE" last night because it was the Rocky Horror tribute show and I was very disappointed with all the censorship of the songs. Totally enjoyed the show otherwise, it was what I expected except for the word choices in a couple of the songs.
Right now it is safe to say "I LIKED IT!!!!", but with some reservations.
Not enough for me to be a regular viewer but I will check in once in a while to see how things are going.
What the... Oh my God?!?!
SpringHeelJack wrote:Additionally, were your school actually doing "The Rocky Horror Show," you can't just hack out bits of songs and change characters. That's standard for doing any production of any show. It's... pretty illegal.
It's illegal, but in my experience school drama directors don't really give a crap. And seriously, Schue decided to do the play in a split second and begin rehearsing right then, too (which in real life would take weeks or months to began, simply to secure the rights), I don't think he was too worried about how the subject matter would be handled as long as he impressed Emma.
I would agree with your argument in regards to the reasoning behind doing RHS on "Glee" itself, but I have to say I was impressed last night. I had very low expectations and I came out enjoying it.
I thought the Rocky Horror episode was blah like the other tribute episodes. I guess it was mostly because they really just mimicked the actual thing, exactly the way it was (even down to the facial expressions). It was really boring that way, because the songs were nowhere near as good--couldn't even compare, really. It was even more frustrating that they would keep interrupting the songs (like with the first song, "Dammit, Janet," etc.). Still, in retrospect, there were moments I liked. The Schue/Emma scene was the highlight--the background with Santana and Brittany was hilarious. And Chord/Sam is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters. Liked the Finn storyline, too.
I think I was more let-down because I've been waiting for Glee for two weeks, and this wasn't as good as many of the non-tribute episodes. And now I'm going to have wait another two weeks. I hate when shows do that.
Btw, has anyone seen the Julie Andrews/Lea Michele commercial of "My Favorite Things"? They're campaigning for Andrews hard, aren't they?
I'm so excited for Glee to come back. The next few episodes will see Darren Criss' first appearance and then Carol Burnett (!!!!!). No, I don't care about Gwyneth Paltrow.
Listening to most often lately:
Taylor Swift ~ ~ "The Fate of Ophelia"
Taylor Swift ~ "Eldest Daughter"
Taylor Swift ~ "CANCELLED!"
My favorite part and song was "Toucha-toucha-touch Me", did she really sing that? She also sang "I Could Have Danced All Night", was that her? Why doesn't she sing more? Not a strong voice?
Okay, I can't come in and read everything, but I had some things I wanted to address:
First is, I caught the shows premiere way back, and liked it a lot, so booya to all you who joined the bandwagon later because it was popular, I liked it first! LOL, just kidding, I like bein' a bit of a bioch.
Next, Flanger-Hanger, what the, you like hated the show the first time you saw it. Well who's laughing now? Us! Mwahahahahaaaa!!
Finally, here's some things the show troubled me with:
Mr. Schuester never told Finn he planted drugs on him and lied to him to get him to join Glee?
Kurt essentially ruined Quinn (and Finn's) relationship with her parents, and perhaps even their relationship with each other. Remember, he wanted Finn, so he told Finn to tell Quinn's parents about the baby, when they weren't ready, and he didn't even discuss it with Quinn. I feel like he should have said admitted later that he told Finn to do that to, essentially, cause trouble in the whole situation, which he did!
Why did Rachel's boyfriend from Vocal Adrenaline do like...all he did? Maybe I did it get it all, and I'd love an explanation, but in the beginning, it's suspicious he likes her, and then you see him kissing Rachel while his vocal director is watching, like she's trying to hurt New Direction's star singer, and then he says he likes her and doesn't want to hurt her, even after her "multiple boyfriend video", and then he hates her and even throws eggs at her.
When did they decide that Idina Menzel would be Rachel's mother? Was she picked as Vocal Adrenaline's coach before this decision or what?
All in all, some problems may be because it seems they're making up and changing things as they go along...
Finally, Sue voting for New Directions last season. She never told Mr. Schue that she voted for them. Now the reason for that seems obviously to be that she doesn't want to admit she liked them and did a nice thing for them. But then why would she be nice later, and kind of pal up with Mr. Schue at different times?
To further explain, I mean, why would she say "I voted for the team I thought was the best", and not at least hint that it was them? She still wouldn't have to act like she liked them, just say they were the best that time in a cold, fairplay way.
I don't know. She acts like she likes them sometimes, but not at other times.
And I think that sums up all my problems with the show, except for theirs so much flip-flopping of things, it seems. I guess in real life people, especially teenagers, do that, but...I don't think it's quite the same. I hope Rachel and Finn stay together pretty much the whole show, and just have realistic bumps, turmoil, and possible breakups, instead of just "oh, well, the show needs them to break up for excitement, and we're making it obvious..."
Finally, the singing...they make it perfect with their digital machines. It bothers me, because I know it's not exactly their pure, real, un-altered voices, and even my dad, a music teacher, said it could be bad for kids because it makes them thing people can really sing that perfectly, that people can really sing like that at all!
I think they cast Idina Menzel after a bunch of people online were commenting about how similar Lea Michele looked to Menzel, and how it would be awesome if they were mother and daughter. I don't think that storyline would've happened if Menzel hadn't been cast.
I agree that there's a kind of feeling that the show sometimes goes ahead without thinking. What ever happened to Sue's "biggest rival," Molly Shannon? She made one 5 second appearance and was never seen again... That's the only moment that's ever really stuck out as a really big error so far in the series. I wonder if the second half of the first season might have turned out better if they'd had 13 episodes instead of 9. I've been reading that, for this season, the number of episodes might be increase (possibly to balance that out, maybe?). Still, I think they've mostly learned how to balance the popularity with what originally made the show popular so far this season.
As for Kurt, I didn't really remember that thing about him and Quinn. From what I remember about that episode, I don't think he told Finn that to hurt his relationship (which was kind of already dying anyway). I think he was really just trying to help Finn, someone who he fantasized about, but had to know inside was unattainable.
I've noticed that a lot of people who watch the show (particularly the straight people) don't really like Kurt. They either think, 1, he's a stereotype, or 2, he's a jerk. And while I think there's a lot to support the first part (as all the characters of Glee are stereotypes to an extent, but fairly fleshed out), I really don't think he's a jerk. I just think a lot of straight people are on the outside looking in at him, and don't realize what it's like to grow up completely isolated (except for maybe one or two girl friends), not being able to date because you're practically the only gay person around or any other things people normally do in high school. Maybe it's just because I've lived a similar experience, that I empathize with why he's somewhat of a jerk--you're distant and prick-ish when you expect people to reject and/or hate you (reminds me of the [gay] son on Desperate Housewives; he attempts to reject his mother before she can reject him).
Glee's one of those few shows where I haven't come to hate any of the characters yet. Well, except Terri, but I did feel some sympathy for her. Strangely though, I've heard a lot of people don't like Rachel this season. But I love her as much as I always have.
Also, just wanted to let everyone know, the track listing for Glee, The Music Volume 4 has been released. Spoiler: some of the tracks haven't been on the show yet (maybe some people want to be surprised).
1. "Empire State of Mind" (Jay- Z and Alicia Keys)
2. "Billionaire" (Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars)
3. "Me Against the Music" (Britney Spears)
4. "Stronger" (Britney Spears)
5. "Toxic" (Britney Spears)
6. "The Only Exception" (Paramore)
7. "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (The Beatles)
8. "One of Us" (Joan Osborne)
9. "River Deep, Mountain High" (Ike and Tina Turner)
10. "Lucky" (Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat)
11. "One Love (People Get Ready)" (Bob Marley and The Wailers)
12. "Teenage Dream" (Katy Perry)
13. "Forget You" (Cee Lo Green)
14. "Marry You" (Bruno Mars)
15. "Sway" (Pablo Beltrán Y Su Orchestra)
16. "Just the Way You Are" (Bruno Mars)
17. "Valerie" (The Zutons)
18. "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" (Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes)
I'm glad they aren't putting out a separate Britney CD, like with Madonna (I wonder if the Madonna CD tanked; it's the only one I haven't bought).
Also, Susan Boyle has been confirmed for the Christmas episode. I'm really excited for the storyline they've talked about for her (of being a lunch lady who gets a makeover). Plus, she's good at classical ballads and Christmas songs, from what I've seen. And, to those naysayers out there, Boyle has gone to college for acting, so don't automatically expect her to suck on that front.
Wow...I write too much.
Listening to most often lately:
Taylor Swift ~ ~ "The Fate of Ophelia"
Taylor Swift ~ "Eldest Daughter"
Taylor Swift ~ "CANCELLED!"
Disney's Divinity wrote:I've noticed that a lot of people who watch the show (particularly the straight people) don't really like Kurt. They either think, 1, he's a stereotype, or 2, he's a jerk. And while I think there's a lot to support the first part (as all the characters of Glee are stereotypes to an extent, but fairly fleshed out), I really don't think he's a jerk. I just think a lot of straight people are on the outside looking in at him, and don't realize what it's like to grow up completely isolated (except for maybe one or two girl friends), not being able to date because you're practically the only gay person around or any other things people normally do in high school. Maybe it's just because I've lived a similar experience, that I empathize with why he's somewhat of a jerk--you're distant and prick-ish when you expect people to reject and/or hate you (reminds me of the [gay] son on Desperate Housewives; he attempts to reject his mother before she can reject him).
I agree with what you're saying. He's totally a stereotype, but so is pretty much everyone else on the show. Sure that have little side "identities" (shall I say) that make them less stereotypical, but from the surface level, they're pretty much the prototype. Secondly, there have been some instances that I think he's a jerk, but overall he really isn't as bad as some people say. There have been a lot of instances (when he set Rachel up and dressed her in a slutty-ish yet totally sexy way so that Finn won't like her as much, the whole Theatricality business, being kind of mean to Burt in Grilled Cheesus [but that's understandable for a teenager] and a few others) that make him seem kind of a jerk. But there have also been some cases where he's not a jerk at all. He's definitely a "2-sided" character, which gives him needed depth. The only thing that I really gripe about is that he almost always sings in the higher part of the register. I get that that's his character, but just how people are tired of Rachel getting mass solos and Rachel/Finn seemingly always getting duets, it is kind of tiring to see him sing high (which I'm thankful they've finally started to figure out this season). I can't really put myself in his shoes since I'm straight so maybe I am biased. Other than that, I think he's a cool character, but I would like to have some of the other characters have "centric" episodes (i.e. Tina, who needs like 5 episodes dedicated to her because Jenna Ushkowitz is a frickin' beast who needs more screentime). I feel like I ranted and I'm too lazy to go back and read what I've said (I hope I haven't offended anybody)
! But just because he can sing in a high register doesn't mean he has to most of the time.
