Top Ten 'Rocky Horror' references

by Steven Taliaferro, Guest Editorial

Ah. Halloween. One would be hard-pressed to find a holiday more befitting a theatre geek. Costumes. Make-up. Haunted houses. Candy (Okay, it doesn't necessarily need to be Halloween for candy). And, of course, this is the time of year when local theaters and cinemas put on everyone’s favorite cult classic musical, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Since first premiering in 1975, the cult status of this science-fiction, rock-and-roll musical comedy by Richard O’Brien is still holding up. Die-hard fans and “virgins” still come by the masses in drag and/or cosplaying as their favorite character to do the “Time Warp” again and again, while singing along to the show and throwing vulgar comebacks and various props (The slices of toast were always my favorite).

Over the years, the musical has also been referenced in many television shows and movies. As a “regular Frankie fan,” whenever a small reference appears, I can’t help but grin. In no particular order, here’s a list of my top ten favorite Rocky Horror references. These entries are my personal favorites. If you have any, feel free to comment below:

01.) Glee – “The Rocky Horror Glee Show” (2010)

I know. Many Rocky fans, including the musical’s creator, Richard O’Brien, and myself, were genuinely disappointed in this episode. And for good reason. The musical’s risque themes and song lyrics were watered down for prime-time television, and Mr. Schue’s attempts to impress school counselor, Emma, by having New Directions put on a production of Rocky Horror is most worthy of highest-tier cringe. However, there were some high points to be noted. The late Naya Rivera's sultry cover of “Science Fiction Double Feature” is audible honey. Amber Riley’s rendition of “Sweet Transvestite” was rocking to the nth degree. The club’s “Time Warp” at the end was fun and sweet. There’s also a funny cameo appearance by the original Brad and Eddie, Barry Bostwick and Meatloaf, and the line from Jane Lynch’s deliciously diabolical Sue Sylvester about her and her sister being pelted with toast at a screening had me giggling. So, all in all, it’s not the best Glee episode or Rocky Horror tribute, but it does have its moments.

02.) Phineas and Ferb – “Curse Of Candace” and “Night of the Living Pharmacists” (2011, 2014)

With Richard O’Brien as Phineas' stepfather and Ferb’s dad, Lawrence, Barry Bostwick as Phineas’ grandfather, and Tim Curry making a few special cameos, a Rocky Horror reference was bound to appear in the animated Disney comedy series. And it does so brilliantly in the Halloween episodes, Curse of Candace and Night of the Living Pharmacists. In a small cutaway gag in Curse, Lawrence is viewing a television program and comments, “Well, this isn’t much of a horror movie.

Where are all the rock-and-roll musical numbers?” I know, right? In Pharmacists, after evading a horde of Doofenshmirtz zombies, there's a scene where Candace and Vanessa run into Phineas, Ferb, and Isabella and have a role call similar to the role call scene from Rocky (“Janet!” “Dr. Scott!” “Janet!” “Brad!” “Rocky!”). A subtle reference the parents will get but still silly enough to keep the young’uns entertained. That’s the way it’s done, Disney, that’s the way it’s done. 

03.) The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

The highly acclaimed adaptation of Stephen Chbosky’s novel about adolescence and friendship features a few scenes of the main characters, Charlie, Patrick, and Sam, played by Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller, and Emma Watson, attending and participating in a Rocky Horror shadow cast performance. Miller performs as Frank and Watson as Janet, respectively. There is even a scene where the main character, Charlie, is cast to be a last-minute Rocky for a performance. With Watson being popular already as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, it’s safe to assume that these scenes introduced and may have even piqued the interests of younger soon-to-be “Frankie” fans.

04.) The Simpsons – “Halloween Of Horrors” (2015)

After being on television for over 30 years, The Simpsons have covered and parodied every bit of popular culture, current events, and entertainment. There was even a Rocky Horror reference in a season 6 episode with the character, Dr. Hibbert, dressed in a Frank N. Furter costume. However, the reference to make this list is in a season 27 episode when Marge, Bart, and Maggie are shown how the adults of Springfield celebrate grown-up Halloween in a musical number done in the tune of “The Time Warp.” In true adult Halloween fashion, the Springfield residents sing about overindulging in alcohol consumption and sexual exploits while wearing gaudy costumes that don’t leave much to the imagination. It’s a fun number and will make any Rocky fan crack a smile that would make their face “ache.”

05.) The Boondocks – “Pause” (2010)

It only seems logical the most controversial adult animated program would make a reference to the risque musical. In the episode, Robert “Grandad” Freeman is cast as the male lead in the newest play by Winston Jerome, a character meant to parody playwright, actor, and filmmaker, Tyler Perry. When Grandad is invited to Jerome’s compound, he is greeted in the same fashion Brad and Janet are greeted by Frank N. Furter, complete with a descending elevator platform, Jerome wearing a corset with fishnet stockings and high heels and an ensemble of dancers dressed like Transylvanians performing a musical number parody of both “Sweet Transvestite” and “Time Warp.” Grandad’s facial reactions to the raucous greeting are just as hilarious, standing still as a statue and not shivering with anticipation.

06.) Bob’s Burgers – “Vampire Disco Death Dance” (2021)

Can't you just imagine Bob coming up with a Rocky Horror-themed Burger of The Day? Maybe the “Touch-a Touch-a Touch Meatloaf” burger or the “Lettuce Do The Thyme Warp Again” burger? Well, in this episode, we get something even better. Bob is super excited to take his eldest daughter, Tina, to her first screening of the campy horror movie musical, Vampire Disco Death Dance. Just like going to a screening of Rocky, the cinematic experience is complete with cosplayers throwing props, yelling comebacks, and dancing in the aisles. Succumbing to peer pressure, Tina invites her friends to come along for the showing as well, much to Bob's disappointment. Together, Bob and Tina learn the meaning of friendship and growing up (D'aww, ain't that sweet). The movie, Vampire Disco Death Dance, looks like what would happen if Rocky Horror and Footloose had a baby with a plot involving a garlic farmer's son disobeying his Papi and pursuing his dream of dancing by going to a discotheque run by vampires. Looked like Tina enjoyed the movie, or you could say she's “tasted blood, and she wants more.”

7.) Fame (1980)

This is probably one of the earliest Rocky Horror references to be made in a mainstream movie, and it had to make my list. In Alan Parker's classic film about teenage struggles in New York City's High School of the Performing Arts, the characters Ralph and Doris, played by Barry Miller and Maureen Teefy, take in a “late night double feature picture show,” along with some other Rocky fans at the legendary 8th Street Playhouse in the Bronx. After having some doobie, the shy and reserved Doris gloriously comes out of her shell and joins the shadow cast during the “Time Warp,” number illustrating the musical's theme of letting go of inhibitions and having the “time warp” of your life. If you watch the 2009 remake, there is even a scene where one of the female leads uses Columbia's rant monologue as an audition for the performing arts school.

8.) Saturday Night Live - “Tim and Meat's One-Stop Rocky Horror Shop” (1981)

Live from New York, it's Tim Curry and Meatloaf in an infomercial! In an episode of SNL hosted by Curry, one sketch features him and Meatloaf advertising their One-Stop Rocky Horror Shop. A place one can go for everything they need for a screening of the movie, including an official Rocky

Horror Show water pistol that has “range and accuracy” and only costs $24.99. There are also the official Rocky Horror newspapers on sale now for only $10.00, a guidebook for all the comebacks, official costumes, and official Rocky Horror toasted bread for only $8 a slice. Curry's straight man act companions well with Meatloaf's over-the-top salesmanship in this cute sketch from early SNL. It may not be easy “having a good time,” but any Rocky fan will be having a blast watching this sketch.

9.) Rocko's Modern Life - “Wacky Deli” (1996)

This 90's Nickelodeon classic had some of the best adult jokes to be seen in a kid show. For instance, who could forget one of Rocko's odd jobs as a call center rep (“Oh, baby. Oh, baby. Oh, baby.”)? It only makes sense the raunchy cartoon would make a Rocky reference. But it's kind of a blink-and-you-will-miss-it kind of reference. In the beginning of the episode, after Ralph Bighead screens the last episode of his hit animated series, Meet The Fatheads, three of Ralph's assistants give their critiques which are, verbatim, Riff Raff, Magenta, and Columbia's critiques of Rocky (“It's a credit to your genius,” “A triumph of your will,” “It's okay”). I know it's a little reference, but also consider this. Two of Rocko's writers and directors, Jeff “Swampy” Marsh and Dan Povenmire, would later go on to create Phineas and Ferb, which had Richard O'Brien voice the father character, and that show made a few Rocky references as well. “It's astounding!”

10.) Sesame Street - “A Rainy Day On Sesame Street” (1989)

Wait! What!? Sesame Street and Rocky Horror? How is that possible? There couldn't be a more impossible combination. But, alas, there was. In a sketch, featuring Susan Sarandon and Count Von Count, the two find themselves stranded on a rainy night in front of a large castle after their car breaks down. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? The Count goes on to make the evening more to his own liking by having Sarandon knock on the door as he audibly counts the number of knocks. After being disappointed by having her only knock three times, he takes it upon himself to knock and count twenty and beyond. Sarandon then finds out that this castle is indeed the Count's own place of residence, much to her annoyance. Oh, I forgot to mention when they are first approaching the castle, the two of them are using newspapers as makeshift umbrellas. It's pretty clear what the Sesame Street crew was going for here in this sketch, and given that they also worked on The Muppet Show, they know how to make a show that both kids and parents could appreciate.

So those are a few of my favorite references. Do you have any of your own? Feel free to write in the comments some of your favorite Rocky Horror references and have