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    Matthew Morrison Said That "Joker" Inspired His Grinch Performance

    "I didn't want the Grinch to be a good dancer."

    Lauren Garafano
    by Lauren Garafano

    BuzzFeed Staff

    In case you missed it, NBC will be airing a very Christmassy special Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical!

    NBC / Getty Images

    And starring as The Grinch is Glee's very own Matthew Morrison.

    NBC, Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

    In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Matthew talked all about the special, his past roles, and most importantly, how he prepared for his role as The Grinch.

    Matthew Morrison sitting in the makeup chair getting his grinch makeup applied.
    NBC / Getty Images

    When he was asked about how he perfected his ~Grinch-ness~, Matthew actually admitted that he was inspired by none other than Joaquin Phoenix's Joker.

    NBC, Warner Bros.

    He told EW, "I didn't want the Grinch to be a good dancer. I took a lot from Joaquin Phoenix's performance in Joker, just going down those steps, like loose and [reveling in] abandon, and just carefree and raw."

    Matthew Morrison in his Grinch costume posing on a table with one arm up and the other on his hip.
    NBC / Getty Images

    "At first, I was like 'I don't think the Grinch dances'; it didn't feel very Grinch-y, but then I came up with that and it felt right."

    Matthew Morrison as the Grinch dancing and Booboo Stewart as Max the dog listening to him sing.
    NBC / Getty Images

    So, basically, this dancing...

    Warner Bros.

    ...inspired this dancing.

    NBC / Entertainment Weekly / youtube.com

    And if you're interested in seeing even more of Matthew's Grinch dance moves, be sure to watch Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical on NBC tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT!