'Glee' Music Producer on 'Rocky Horror' Episode: 'Why Can't a Girl Be the Transvestite?'

With another themed episode of 'Glee' just a day away, fans of the 1975 cult classic 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' are in a tizzy about Tim Curry's iconic Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite, being portrayed by actress Amber Riley, a female.

"They're up in arms about that. But, really, why can't a girl be the transvestite?" 'Glee' music producer Adam Anders tells PopEater. The show, he contends, "is about inclusion."

Riley, who plays Mercedes Jones, will perform 'Sweet Tranvestite' in the episode dubbed 'The Rocky Horror Glee Show.' John Stamos has been quoted saying he was supposed to take the Frank-N-Furter role, but FOX balked at the idea of the former Uncle Jesse in fishnets and a corset.

Anders also reminds us that tomorrow's 'Glee' is "an ode to the original" 'Rocky Horror' rather than a remake. "We freshen it up a little bit."

This past week has been huge for Anders -- not only did the special-release 'Rocky Horror Glee Show' soundtrack drop on Oct. 19, but Gwyneth Paltrow and Carol Burnett each dropped by the show for guest appearances.

Of Paltrow, who'll play a substitute teacher in an upcoming episode, Anders says, "She's phenomenal, super talented, great in the studio. It's one of those times someone is as fantastic as you hoped they would be."

Anders is eagerly looking forward to working with Burnett as the mother of Jane Lynch's Coach Sue. "[Carol] wanted to learn her songs and asked to get her demo on cassette tape. I had to dig a cassette player out of the attic," Anders says.

What is the comedy icon and Broadway veteran going to sing for us? "I'm not going to tell you that," Anders answers.

These days, the producer is having to say "no" more often than not, as artists and their reps are constantly pitching to have music on 'Glee.' "Now everybody wants to get on board. When 'Don't Stop Believing' went straight to No. 1 and Journey's sales increased 80 percent, that opened people's eyes," Anders says. "Now it's on a whole new level. We've had four No. 1 albums in a row. I'm surprised that even Broadway songs have landed in the top ten. 'Don't Rain on My Parade' -- how does that happen?" he asks. "'Papa Can You Hear Me' from 'Yentl' went Top 10. That's pretty amazing."

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