NBC’s performance of Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical had plenty to live up to following a string of poorly reviewed live musical broadcasts.
From the start, the reviews on social media for the Matthew Morrison–starring special were decidedly not great.
Twitter users blasted the musical for its garish Grinch makeup, which Morrison revealed took 3.5 hours to apply before the performance and another hour to remove afterward.
Ouch: The reviews for NBC’s pre-taped performance of Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical on Wednesday night were brutal, with Matthew Morrison’s lead performance coming in for criticism
Unlike Jim Carrey’s makeup for the 2000 adaptation of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, which closely matched the look of Dr. Seuss’ original character, Morrison’s grinch was oddly muscular and had a cleft chin that would put Cary Grant to shame.
While some viewers were simply turned off by the character design, others questioned the creative choices, including Morrison’s many asides.
One Twitter user summed up the special by renaming it: ‘How the Cringe Stole Christmas.’
In addition to Morrison hamming it up as the title character, Twilight actor Booboo Stewart donned a dog costume with serious Cats vibes to play a young version of the Grinch’s dog Max.
American Horror Story’s Denis O’Hare was also featured as the older version of Max.
Odd choice: Unlike Jim Carrey’s Grinch makeup, which approximated the original character’s look, Morrison’s grinch was oddly muscular and had a cleft chin to put Cary Grant to shame
Doesn’t add up: While some viewers were simply turned off by the character design, others questioned the creative choices, including Morrison’s many asides
Catchy: One Twitter user summed up the special by renaming it: ‘How the Cringe Stole Christmas’
The garishness of Morrison’s costume was a common sticking point with viewers, who didn’t appreciate the Grinch’s dead eyes or his oddly chiseled face.
‘mom come get me i’m scared,’ joked one user.
Others were freaked out by the Glee star seemingly speaking straight to them in his creepy costume.
‘Me: It’s just…I can’t get it out of my head,’ began one viewer, imagining a conversation with their therapist.
‘Therapist: You know Matthew Morrison as The Grinch can’t actually harm you, right?
‘Me: HE BROKE THE FOURTH WALL AND TALKED RIGHT AT ME, OF COURSE HE CAN!’ they joked.
Horrifying: The garishness of Morrison’s costume was a common sticking point with viewers, who didn’t appreciate the Grinch’s dead eyes or his oddly chiseled face
Too close: Others were freaked out by the Glee star seemingly speaking straight to them in his creepy costume
Ahead of the torrent of online criticism, Morrison gave his followers a behind-the-scenes looks at all the work that went into creating his character.
He told Today’s Al Roker that he ‘lost a lot of weight’ from performing in the thick costume, though he only had to put on the makeup five times for the show, which was pre-recorded.
The performance was recorded at London’s Troubadour Theatre.
Sneak peek: Ahead of the torrent of online criticism, Morrison gave his followers a behind-the-scenes looks at all the work that went into creating his character
Time consuming: He told Today’s Al Roker that he ‘lost a lot of weight’ while in costume, and the makeup took 3.5 hours to get into and one hour to get out of
Morrison’s role seemed to be getting the most criticism from people online.
One Twitter user complained about a joke that the role would earn the American Horror Story: 1984 star an Emmy nomination.
‘IF MATHEW MORRISON GETS AN EMMY NOMINATION FOR THIS I WILL NEVER LEAVE MY HOUSE AGAIN [sic],’ they threatened.
Another person connected Morrison to recent allegations of toxic and abusive behavior from his former costar Lea Michele during their Glee days.
‘BREAKING: Lea Michele will be on for Cindy Lou this evening as the little girl originally scheduled mysteriously fell down 9 flights of stairs.’
One user joked: ‘So nice of them to let Mr.Shue keep his vests [sic].’
Morrison’s role seemed to be getting the most criticism from people online
Not a fan: One user didn’t want to even entertain the suggestion that Morrison would get an Emmy nomination
Guest star: Others noted the Glee connection and joked that his costar Lea Michele might strong-arm herself into the broadcast
Inspired: Another person pointed out that the Grinch had a penchant for vests, just like Morrison’s Glee character
One viewer compared the garish Grinch costume to the outfits on The Masked Singer.
‘The masked singer costumes get wilder every season,’ they joked.
Another user noticed the similarity between one of the Grinch’s outfits and something that might have appeared in The Wizard Of Oz, writing, ‘The Wizard will see you now.’
Others were just flummoxed that everyone on stage could be so enthusiastic about the material.
‘These children have more energy than I’ve ever had, and that includes various drug induced adventures in college,’ they joked.
Close: One viewer compared the Grinch’s costume to the outfits on The Masked Singer
Homage: Another user noticed the similarity between one of the Grinch’s outfits and something that might have appeared in The Wizard Of Oz, writing, ‘The Wizard will see you now’
How do they do it? Others were just flummoxed that everyone on stage could be so enthusiastic about the material