Drag Race Winners' Season

I'm shocked that there is appetite for yet another season of this.

A new season seems to be released every other month.

I'm not a fan and don't really like drag, but it is actually a smart move from a show runner's perspective.

A season of runner's up is also a good call. For shows like this, there are always really good seasons where a contestant had the misfortune of just being on a season where the winner was that good, but would probably have won almost any other season if they had competed.

I would have rather had less of the girls who are going on their third time around, and more of the regular season winners. It will be interesting to see how Raja and Jinkx fare, since the artform and show have grown so much since their seasons.

I saw on FB that a surprise 9th queen will be introduced, and then someone posted a picture of Jujubee from the same photo shoot, implying it was her. It confused me, as she is not a winner. Does anyone know what's up with that?

Juju has been overexposed as of late, and for all her screentime, she's appeared unprepared. She hasn't had the outfits or the energy to compete. I hope they don't bring her back. I like her, but it's not getting better. Maybe Bebe again?

The absences of Bob, Bianca, Alaska, Aquaria and Sasha are unfortunate...but mean there's a more even playing field.

I see Viv, Yvie, Jinx and Raja at the top (hopefully). They're all really capable and unique.

I'm so tired of Monet - who isn't anywhere as amusing or iconic as she seems to think - and Trinity - whose face finally looks good but who is also boring - and Jaida and Shea kinda cancel each other out.

I wonder who turned this season down or who producers intentionally saved for a 2nd winners season.

Article is behind a paywall for me.

Omg I’m soooooo tired of Monet R14. And she never dresses like a drag queen. Her looks, mug, and hair are always terrible. She barely tries. At least Bob makes some effort to look like a queen (I said some, obvious beard aside,) but Monet doesn’t even bother, has terrible taste, and isn’t really funny. She’s held onto a career mostly because Bob uses her for his podcasts.

Meant R4, not R14 above. Also, all the people we’d want turned it down. Trixie, Bianca, Bob would never come back. They don’t need to, and there’s a big sticky problem where the producers want you to sign years of your life away financially, and Trixie, Bob, and Bianca all make bank and wouldn’t let WOW near any of their money.

And really, how does it benefit them, in any way? They don’t need Ru or WOW as their publicity machines or to do their tours or shows. They do their own tours and get paid extremely well for them. They all have multiple projects including TV, plays, albums, tours, etc etc. there’s just no reason.

Bianca and Bob would eat the rest of them alive.

Thanks for that long winded and simply obvious reply R7

Drink your G&T and go to back to bed Granny R9. 🙄

Now, now, girls. You’re both insufferable cunts.

If the prize money is still $100,000 then it’s not really worth it for any of them. Expect for maybe The Vivienne.

People have been wanting this for ages, but there's just too much Drag Race now so it's going to result in mass suicides because we have to endure more of pointless contestants like Yvie Oddly, Monét and Jaida Essence Hall. I hope the 'obsessed!!!' Twitter gays all break nails and chip their nailpolish typing out stupid hot takes when the show airs.

Boring cast. Who cares.

I don't want to see All-Stars winners... again. Shea BORElee, Monet, Trinity. Oof.

No Symone (1000x better than Jaida)? VIOLET, who I'd love to see again? Tyra would be epic even if impossible. Bianca, too.

Instead Fat woe-is-me Jinx, Overrated Raja, and the PC bore that was Jaida.

That leaves the Vivienne, who is great, and... Yvie.

Boring. Give me Drag Race Philippines already.

The prize money is 200K

I'd love to see a season where the prize was a lot more, and the guest judges were people like Diana Ross, Cher, Madonna, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Barbara Stresiand, etc. That would be a great final season.

When does this shitshow begin?

5/20.

How will drag fare if US women's rights are stripped away?

Jinx is a beast at an comedy/acting challenge. No one in this cast can touch her those skills.

But runways/design challenges will be an issue...

I’d rather a season of all the first eliminated queens.

What is Monet doing there?

The Juju photo is a meme. People have been joking that Juju is showing up in every spin-off because she has. She’s not actually in the season, Grandma.

Who the fuck gives a shit?

It's out today.

Raja can't be bothered with putting on a wig most of the time. She hides her head with hats and wraps. She has always been a tired lazy ass. She admits it. She not winning shit.

^ she's not

Jinkx had me howling in Snatch Game. I’m so impressed all around. Even in the group choreography practice, these were all seasoned professionals who knew their shit. Jaida and Yvie seem a little outmatched and might end up the Roxxxy’s of the season. Viv as well. I’m enjoying what Trinity and Monet are doing so far but Jinkx and Raja are my sentimental favorites.

I did not like how hard they pushing Shea as the main character in the first episode. I know WOW feels the need to appease her psycho Chicago trash fans, but her lack of charisma and star quality is very obvious next to these cast mates. If they’re planning on overhyping her until the end like on All Stars 5, it’s going to be very obvious.

I do wish there were one or two more winners from earlier years, maybe Violet or Chad. I hope we get a Sharon/Alaska face off in All Winners 2.

Raja only knows how to walk and put an outfit together. Zero talent beyond that. She's humorless and dull. Even her podcast with Delta she's humorless. Delta is outshines her. I listen every week.

R29, if she were that humorless and dull, I doubt you’d listen to that podcast every week.

Some of the highlights from Jinkx as Judy for all the povo people who don’t have Paramount.

As I said r30. Delta outshines her and totally makes up for it, hon.

R30, you have no idea what you're talking about and have never listened to the podcast, dear.

Have you watched the episodes yet r29?

Raja was actually surprisingly great in Snatch Game. Did not see that coming.

Interesting how the judges are being so nice, I guess for an all winners they wanted to treat them differently since no one is being eliminated.

I think this format would have saved UK versus the World.

[Quote] Raja was actually surprisingly great in Snatch Game.

Yes. Madame Wayland Flowers' puppet was clever. I said she knows how to put to together an outfit. A costume is an outfit.

Vogue editor Diana Vreeland? Really? I know it's been done before but fuck! It so pretentious and douchey. Who gives a fuck about that lame ass cunt? So fucking superficial.

This season is actually a lot of fun. I’m shocked.

JINKX! Wow. I always thought her Edie was overpraised but that Judy was fucking perfection. It’s probably the best so far (or tied with Viv’s amazing Trump). And Natasha Lyonne was also fantastic. I was laughing so hard.

Shea does nothing for me. I find her robotic and dull. But that lip sync to Old McDonald was so much fun!

Solid first two episodes. You can tell the queens and judges are just having fun. And anything that brings Cameron Diaz back to my screen is very much welcomed.

For some reason her talking about drag queens fucking as Lyonne was hysterical to me.

That Snatch Game was fucking magic. Holy shit, Jinkx was next level demented. I didn’t think she could top Little Edie, but WOW. Trinity was also pretty great. Everyone else had their stand out moments. But Jinkx, yikes. It’s so good.

I’m really liking this so far, and I love they’re not getting rid of people. The personalities seem to mesh well and it’s really fun to see people at the top of their profession and expertise work with one another.

Jinkx needs to create a cabaret show as Judy. It would be so fun.

I enjoyed the hell out of the two episodes. I haven't really enjoyed Drag Race for awhile, but I keep tuning in. This reminds me why I liked drag, and there aren't any truly terrible queens. Snatch Game was actually funny, loved Jinxie, and oh my god, Raja's Madame.

There's joy in this season, it isn't just thirsty bitches raised on instagram who are only interested in turning lewks and pleasing the almighty likes.

I'd recommend seeing Jinx live r39. I've seen her and Dela's touring show and and it was a fun night. They are both talented queens.

Do their husbands tour with them?

I loved Jinkx's call out to Dave!!! That was good.

Jinkx was the best.

I got a kick out of Jaida as Prince.

My question is this: Why did Paramount blur Trinity’s fake tits, but allowed talk of butt sex and blow jobs? I really didn’t want to see plastic boobs, but to blur out FAKE tits? Makes no sense.

You have to admit that Raja’s outfit for the “Legendary” show was not the stuff of legends. That was a hideous choice.

Jinkx was amazing. What a talent. Raja I don't like and don't see. I don't for a second think that he even came up with the Madama and Diana Vreeland looks and lines. Raja is witless in real life. He does have visual wit but his body is thick and old now.

The Viv and Jaida are gorgeous sexy girls and boys. Don't count Jaida out. ....

Trinity was always the T. Talented at everything. She's a bit heavier now and had her nose widened - not sure she is the runway showstopper anymore, but she more than makes up for it in her every attention to detail and natural bitch wit and true comedic chops. And the variety of looks and that all really work on her. That bitch is a DRAG queen!

Jaida and Shea are the glamor, but Shea also leaves me cold. It's not fair to put him down really. He's an excellent dancer, inventive drag queen and performer. But there's just something missing. He's a bit porno to me. And with the cheek implants and new teeth his eyes look SO small.

Monet has talent, but he's lazy and shady. Beautiful skin though. And just a little glo up. Nice to see a Drag Race winner who still looks like a dude.

I love Jinkx and she went down in Drag Race History tonight. Again. BIGGER. Trinity won that Adele Lip Sync though. Just saying. All worked out fine.

What a good idea, finally, that none of them get eliminated until the end? We get to enjoy them. (I don't enjoy Raja and his new face and tired old body - but some people out there do) As long as Jinkx or Trinity win, I'm good. Jaida was sexy as Prince. Ha. That boy got something. Just wait.

Yvie is cute. Jaida is trade. Jinkx in real life - YIKES. But the talent!!!

Lorne Michaels just needs to fucking hire Jinkx for SNL.

No, Jinkx is too good for SNL!!!

I would fuck Jaida as Prince.

Jinx is funny but man she is hard to look at out of drag.

I complained here for the past couple of seasons that I had maxed out and couldn't even force myself to focus on Drag Race anymore.

The two episodes of this season have been fantastic. What a huge difference the superior talent has made, and the change to the rules is a good one. The All Stars voting one another off thing has always really been a downer and has resulted in the wrong people being kicked off. Being "blocked" but not eliminated is an improvement. And a top four is guaranteed.

Snatch Game is never good. Usually, one or two are moderately amusing. This time, even if they weren't hilarious, many were really entertaining. Jinkx was not funny per se, but Jinkx is such a great talent. I would love to see some version of a Jinkx vs. Ben De La Crème competition because they are both pretty unbeatable. And I always underestimate both Trinity and Shea, but they are both always polished and top level.

Oh, and the 'Old MacDonald' thing was inspired. I want to know who came up with that song. I couldn't believe what I was watching at first but as the song and performances built, I realized it was the very best lip sync challenge I've seen. I don't really 'get' lip syncing as a talent generally, but getting the words and the emotiveness to match the hilarious/inspired vocal for that one was a clear demonstration of talent.

I'm really impressed this season.

The only thing that has annoyed me so far is that the judges evidently have agreed to be stifled by the winner status of all the contestants. They all gush over every performance and every outfit when they'd clearly be criticizing many of them on any other season. That's an unnecessary compromise. Often on average seasons, judges are obviously reaching for something to criticize because that is what they are there for and they end up making arbitrary, annoying comments, and this time the opposite is happening. One example is a couple of the judges telling The Viv her Patsy/Joanna Lumley impression was excellent. It wasn't. I was actually surprised her accent sounded quite unlike Patsy's, and she didn't nail the AbFab sensibility, either. I like Vivian but she didn't do the best with that one.

This has really breathed new life into a tired old formula, and I love seeing the older ones do so well. I think the only reason I didn't gush about Raja is that she obstructed her face with prosthetics and I forgot until now that she was part of the Snatch Game. She wasn't hilarious, but the performances were still excellent.

I am with R51. Jinkx is too good for SNL.

Someone should tap Jinkx and Ben to creat a show like SNL-meets-French and Saunders. And I don't mean the WOW app or Logo, both of which unfortunately make crap because of their tiny budgets. I mean some legit network should give those incredible talents a chance to showcase their brilliance.

Most very good Drag Race contestants, quite understandably and typically of a typical person, excel at one or maybe two talents, whether it's design or dancing or makeup or singing or comedy, etc. Some, like Bob and Bianca are witty and just very charismatic in a winning way that's different than having specific definable talents—but Ben and Jinkx have incredibly sharp minds and wits, can do impersonations, can sing and dance. They're just all-around excellent performance-art crossdressers. It's a bummer to me their only televised showcases are on a show that demands intentionally terrible acting, fart and scat and boob and snatch jokes, etc. I have a feeling they could turn out some sophisticated and inspired camp if they were charged and given resources to do so.

I did too R46. People seem to be sleeping on Jaida. I find her very appealing. There wasn’t any impression of Prince really, but she somehow managed to make it really funny, and that’s the whole point. Rajah wasn’t so much funny as wonderfully weird, the Madame prosthetics were really great, and Vreeland makeup was shockingly good. This is what great drag is.

If this season remains as successful as the first couple of episodes, I would imagine the pressure on Bianca and Trixie and others would be pretty intense to return. Despite high flying careers, they’re not going to ignore the kind of good attention this show is getting. They’re too business savvy for that. It would give Bianca a chance to prove that she can lip sync and make more than boatneck dresses for example. Imagine Bob, Alaska, Trixie, and Bianca in Snatch Game. It would be Drag Race nirvana.

Ben and Jinkx have a Christmas special out that’s supposed to be pretty good.

It’s got some pretty funny moments R58.

R57 and the format could make other winners more inclined to participate. Even if you dont win the whole thing you dont get eliminated and get to show off till the end.

R57 I never liked Trixie on Drag Race and didn't understand why people raved about him. Then he came back on All Stars and admitted he had a complex about being so well received "in real life" and having performed so poorly on Drag Race. He was committed to proving himself on All Stars. And he couldn't! He wasn't very good, and he was given the win, anyway, after BenDLC quit.

It was only after All Stars that I sought out some Trixie content to try to figure out why people said he is talented, and I saw it immediately. It's very weird, but it seems like he simply can't do well within the Drag Race formula, as funny and charming as he is on his own. I expect he would not fare well in Snatch Game in the company of better impressionists.

The judges do seem to be taking it easy on the contestants. I was expecting Monet to get read for her performance look and her runway (sorry, I hated it). And her lip-synch look looked right off the rack.

R62 maybe cause they want other winners to do it? And they might if the judges are more likely to compliment than critique them even if those critiques would be warranted.

R42 I did see her with Major Scales years ago in NYC. It was one of the best shows I’ve seen. I think that’s why I want to see her do a Judy show. It would just be the great .

Drag Race.

Drag.

Oh.

[quote] Jaida and Yvie seem a little outmatched and might end up the Roxxxy’s of the season. Viv as well. I’m enjoying what Trinity and Monet are doing so far but Jinkx and Raja are my sentimental favorites.

The Vivienne is the only one who *really* doesn't rise to the same level for me. She does posses confidence and a certain kind of stature, but has not delivered anything memorable. Again, I think her Patsy was terrible, only recognizable because of the wig-wine bottle combination. I agree her Donald Trump impersonation was A++ and deserved its borderline hyperbolic praise.

I know most people seem to despise Yvie, but Yvie belongs with the rest in my eyes. She is unique and fully embodies the persona. I have rewatched the season with Sharon Needles several times and I have never understood why people went gaga over Sharon; she just seemed like a middling gothy drag queen with no outstanding or memorable talents, and with Yvie, I at least see a goth+whimsy+fashion+contortionist combination that is served up with full confidence and could not be convincingly imitated. And yes, I have a soft spot for Yvie (and Willow and ChiChi, may he rest in peace) for being outstanding despite life-threatening and painful chronic illnesses.

Jaida also belongs in this group, although Jaida does feel to me like a junior-league member. Even so, people went crazy over Simone, and I think that by comparing Simone and Jaida, it's easy to see that Jaida is more polished and just presents with more fully realized confidence.

There is another good season of this version for sure, with Chad and Bianca and Willow and Bebe (and I guess Trixie), and although I am sure they'd never do it, with Ben De La Crème, who we all know won his All Stars season. And Manila and Shangela, who should be considered honorary winners IMO. And yes, I know, I know, I KNOW you all hate Sasha, but I was really impressed with Sasha and would like to see more of him. The ones I never really want to see again, to be honest, are Tyra and Violet because both to me are just joylessly self-righteous and mean.

Tyra doesnt do drag anymore.

Was surprised to see 2 episodes available.

Jinx didn't win the lip sync....but was great as Judy so fine.

I find Jaida/Monet/Trinity/Shea to be the weaker ones.

And I'm already dreading the alliances shit. Jinx now has to stay in top every week or will get squeezed out?

Jinx had better make it to the end.

Hated the Old Macdonald song. Seriously?? So weird.

Everyone will make it to the end. I assume you mean into the finale by having enough star badges.

I am not understanding the wigs and outfits for the non-top two during the lip sync. Some of them had their snatch game costumes on, some of them their runway looks and some of them just random clothes. What is the protocol?

R70, I believe that some change into outfits that they can lipsync well in.

R68 Really? Throughout her season and the prior All Stars, Trinity has always seemed top tier to me.

And I initially underestimated Shea, but I also recently rewatched her original season and All Stars, and Shea has the same confidence level and comfortable carriage of pros like Chad, Bianca and Bob, and Shea is a really great dancer. Other contestants have referred to themselves regularly as dancers and Shea never really bragged much about it, but she is professional-level as a dancer and also is good in acting challenges. And on top of it all, I never really clocked it until the recent rewatches, but Shea is kind, generous and encouraging with her competitors. There were several past instances of her intervening to help others significantly, but she was always smart enough not to sacrifice her own quality to do that as many others have done.

Both Trinity and Shea always said and seemed to mean sincerely that they wanted to win against the best, and so they helped others out and only wanted the weaker contestants booted. I really respect that attitude. It always makes the show better. The stupid mind games and manipulations that Phi Phi, Shangela and others play fuck up the show and make themselves look bad.

Agree that Jaida was sexy af as Prince, and I'm not really sure why. I guess it was the confidence and swagger.

What I felt like I saw was that Jaida got stumped when RuPaul asked a question and she couldn't come up with a comeback—while she was thinking, she had a confused look on her face, compensated with a sexy squinty look while computing what to say, realized everyone was laughing at the reaction, and then stuck with that as her go-to Prince persona for the rest of the game, and I think it worked for me because I witnessed the processing of what to do and the intelligently improvised solution, which was charming and funny.

They don't actually know who are the two that are lip syncing r70, so every queen that thinks they might have to lip sync has to change into an outfit that would work.

Stop hating on Monet. I appreciate a drag Queen who looks like a man in a dress. This video is pure joy to watch. Give her the right song and she will put on a show.

I also like Monet a lot. I loved that "splits fake-out" thing. The ONLY things I ever find entertaining about lip syncs are when the song is emotional and the performers embody the emotion in a way that actually makes you feel something, and when the performers are intelligent and keep your attention with unexpected antics.

I still find death drops entertaining to watch for some reason, but the splits thing? I don't ever need to see it again. I do not understand how "pretend to sing a song" ➡️ "drop into splits," or why the judges always drop their jaws and pretend to be amazed. Ninety percent of the lip syncs for almost every season have been nothing but build up to contestants doing the splits and it's really boring to me.

Monet is a smart performer who knows how to subvert expectations. She looks like Bob and she and Bob share an irreverent sensibility and understand that the same old thing is boring to people, and so they can get away with just being men with wigs because they're smarter and wittier than most, and in the end, that's almost always more impressive than someone like Violet or Aquaria, who just wear clothes and makeup well.

Trinity weak R68?? Her looks have been pretty great especially the one with the huge train, she’s enjoying herself which really shows, her Snatch Game was second only to Jinkx, and she’s basically been the narrator of the season so far and doing well with it. She and Jinkx are pretty much first and second right now. That’s not weak.

Monet and man in a dress is the perfect description.

FINE. drag me back in. fuck, I thought I was finally out for good.

Trinity is probably the most consistently solid or top Queen every round. Vivienne though... she's fading into the background like a filler queen and I'm not seeing the same level of C-U-N-T that the other queens are serving. Even Yvie and Jaida are bringing it more than Viv. Her Snatch was weak to medicre at best, her lyrics and performances are dull, and her runway lewks, while polished, are nothing exciting. She needs to step her pussy up.

So, uh, can we talk about Ru's perfectly triangle shaped nostrils?

Could Jinkx get any fatter? Fucking pig. And why the news of him breaking into people's houses buried? Did Ru pay to bury that shit?

Just finished the second episode and why did they have Joanna Lumley and Martin Lawrence instead of the characters they were portraying, i.e.: Patsy Stone from Absolutely Fabulous.

And Jinx killed it. Raja blew chunks.

[quote]and why did they have Joanna Lumley and Martin Lawrence instead of the characters they were portraying, i.e.: Patsy Stone from Absolutely Fabulous

Is this your first Snatch Game r84. They always have to say the name of the actor rather than the character to get around copyright rules.

Can. Not. Stand. Yvie. Just a complete no talent as highlighted by her refusal to even try to mimic a well known personality for Snatch Game. She just sticks her tongue out and hides behind the weird persona as a smokescreen for a complete lack of personality.

[quote]So, uh, can we talk about Ru's perfectly triangle shaped nostrils?

I noticed that immediately during the Herses clip, and inspected closely when he walked out. It seems his nose looks normal in boy makeup, but in drag looks like a Jackson. It must be a makeup thing?

I actually laughed out loud multiple times for the snatch game, I haven't done that in years. Raja, Yvie and the English one bombed but the rest had me cracking up.

r87, I hope so!

Poor Raven out of drag. That mouth!

He used to be so gorgeous

It's already well known that the two finalists are Monet and Jinkx.

Oh. Didn't you know?

Sorry.

What is going on with Raven's skin color? Is he tan additive?

Agree about Raven. It's sad and hard to understand. When someone is odd looking, at least I can imagine what drives them to mutilate themselves to look more attractive. But Russian David was so handsome, and even as Raven was the most striking queen of his season. Most people have a good guy face or a good girl face but not both. He had both. And what he did to his mouth and eyes...yikes.

This mouth surgery shit has to stop. What is wrong with people? Fake lips always look disgusting to me.

The plastic surgery that most of the queens get is... unnerving.

Vulture says that RuPaul should dedicate his next Emmy to Jinkx Monsoon.

Which is funny considering that Dragcon clip from last week where Ru, once again, did not know the name of Jinkx - when he was standing right beside her!

Jinx Monsoon is a goddamed delight, like a butterfly with bubbles i one hand and a stiletto in the other.

R86 But... but... she's PUNK!!!!!!!

Snore. Yvie is so contrived.

[quote]They always have to say the name of the actor rather than the character to get around copyright rules.

Read up R85. In the United States, parody is protected by the First Amendment as a form of expression. However, since parodies rely heavily on the original work, parodists rely on the fair use exception to combat claims of copyright infringement.

R96 Yes, she is. And yeah, she is REALLY unusual looking out of drag, but for some reason, I love the way the 'boy' version of Jinkx looks. No one else looks like him (is he a them?).

I had a little crush on out-of-drag Jinkx in his original season because I have a thing for redheads but otherwise entirely because of his personality and talents. Not feeling the crushy feelings anymore, but I have no problem with Jinkx.

Jinkx to me is the reason I love Drag Race. He's a 'normal' gay person in the sense that he's not a gym queen and not a nelly queen who says "yaaaasss gurrrrrl" like so many others. He's just totally unique and himself.

We would never see anyone like him or almost any of the other one-of-a-kind contestants anywhere else. I wouldn't know they exist. And I want to know that offbeat, creative, nonconforming gay men still exist in this world. It's actually very important to me to be able to see that, and here in DC, I only see conformists.

Isn't that nice r98, but Drag Race always does this so I am not sure why you are commenting on it likes its new . Write a letter to World of Wonder so they can hear your great legal insight that I'm sure they have never considered.

There’s something g about The Vivienne that’s always bothered me and I can’t put my finger on why. She seems insincere, which is an admittedly weird critique for a drag queen.

Well R100, I guess better safe and than sorry. Although it is annoying. No harm. No foul.

And BTW, you can shove the cunt attitude up your wart infested ass.

R89 Not to mention the George Hamilton tan.

Yeah Raven has gotten quite dark over recent years, it's pretty ridiculous. Especially given he got caught saying no blacks guys on his Grindr, can he even sleep with himself at this point.

Talk to the hand r104.

[quote]The plastic surgery that most of the queens get is... unnerving.

Viv looks positively scary out of drag now. I thought he was cute as a boy on UK Season 1.

Incidentally, Baga Chipz also ruined his boy mug with fillers and surgery. He used to be (dare I say it?) hot.

My favorite moment was watching Ru's "choreography" when she performed her new single.

R107 “Choreography “ was not the first word that came to mind when I watched that.

If he fell and broke his hip, we'd have to shoot him.

BenDeLa isn't equal to Jinkx in anything and is only superior to Jinkx in that BenDela is good at production. Jinkx can play a whole slew of different characters; DeLa can't do that. Yeah, her "Maggie Smith" was funny but that she doesn't have that many different "voices" in her she can draw upon.

I don't get the Bob praise. He's not that funny. He coasted through his season which seemed to be tailored to his talents (sort of like Bianca in Season 6). And, I've seen him onstage more than once. His stand up is not equal to Bianca's (not anywhere close to the same level of talent) and Bob can't play characters. Oh, and he's really fucking annoying when he does shows with other queens onstage with him...his style is to just talk over everyone.

I don't see Bianca ever doing an All Stars. Why would he? He makes millions of dollars a year doing his own stage shows.

And, same for Trixie. He's making bank with his stage shows, online stuff, make up and other projects including his own fucking motel.

Being on TV in front of millions of people is a strong draw r110. In this type of format where no one is eliminated and the judges are nice to everyone I could see them potentially getting talked into it.

BOB, yes BOB who was not invited to be on All Stars 7 is hosting the Pit Stop again! And it IS good. Nicole Byers is hilarious. Their first episode is worthy of the first episode. I don't always like BOB, but Nicole makes it all worthwhile. She's so funny. Trinity is gonna put a hit out on her. Nice to see that BOB is not above criticizing Monet and making fun of himself. He finally looks like a Drag Queen.

Aquaria and Alaska were also not asked to be on the All Winners Season. They've each said so in recent interviews.

Word is that the contracts are once again very greedy and slave like. So maybe Bob, Bianca, Violet, Trixie and Alaska have no desire to be tied up with Drag Race again for years to come.

Aquaria wanted to be asked. Understandable.

Sharon will never be invited back. NOPE.

Aquaria is boring.

R111

LOL....I can picture Bianca going over the pros and cons:

"Hmmmm....get tied down to doing competitive show that I might not win which requires me to take a huge paycut or...continue selling out major theater venues globally doing my highly successful comedy show where I have total creative control?

So hard to CHOOSE!"

It takes two weeks to film an All Stars, there’s no way she’d have to take any kind of paycut or sign a draconian contract, and she’d get a huge amount of free publicity from the biggest audience Drag Race has ever had. It doesn’t matter if she “wins,” it’s not about that.

Every word you wrote is untrue R115. You're just making shit up. All the queens sign the same contract. It's far reaching, professionally punitive and far too restrictive for someone as successful as Biana or the (talentless) Trixie.

Meanwhile. Natasha Lyonne is hosting SNL tonight. This is not her only communication with Jinkx. One of a freaky kind is Jinkx Monsoon.

R68 here

I loved Monet's fake-out and overall performance in Pound The Alarm- one of the best LSs ever, no question. But she's waaaay too prpid of herself and has little to say. I've hezr4d her and Bob chat and I really was unimpressed by her. She's not a smart one. Amd in competition mode, she's intolerable. Wish she could be voted out.

At least when Trixie won because of shenanigans, she went out and proved she was an amazing Queen in the real world so no one could say she didn't deserve it. Monet hasn't, AFAIC. Just being honest here. No, I don't follow her every move. She's a bit like Cracker - I rooted for her and then got tired quick.

Trinity has weird fashion and color choices. I don't like her emphasis on her butt. And she's not natural in her interviews. I don't hate her, but it just feels like weak reality tv when she's on. Someone performing and trying to funny, rather than just being funny.

I really couldn't care less about them being cast together for the nonexistent drama of the twinners thing. Who cares? I'm still bummed Manilla was robbed and two people were crowned to avoid PR problems.

I also have nothing against Shea and Jaida and was ok with them as winners but...they're not memorable. They're good, no issues, but I don't think about them.

Yvie has definitely been acting forced in the interviews, what with the cackling. I really liked her on her season, but I wonder what- if anything - new we will see. Backbends can only be done so many ways.

I was rooting for Raja but she is a bit reserved.

Right now, I think the only one I'm pulling for is Jinx, who is pleasant, clever and memorable.

(I say all this knowing they're under huge pressure to outdo themselves, which can't be easy.)

And that Snatch Game was not the best ever. It's getting overhyped a bit now...it was good.

Wow - typos, sorry folks!

I did *love* Trinity as Leslie Jordan though!

Trixie is fab! LOVE!

Trixie is not a Drag Queen. And she is a bogus winner of Drag Race.

I know the contracts for regular drag race are horrible. I wonder if they are the same for this all star iteration. I’m guessing most would not have needed to sign a contract like that. Or maybe each queen got a contract based on themself. They would be dumb to sign a contract like before, especially if they were already out from under it. I can’t see Rajah or Jinkx signing a contract like that has been shared.

Trixie is fine.

[quote]I did *love* Trinity as Leslie Jordan though!

It was horrible.

R115 Gosh, you're stubborn. I get it....you really, really want her to do it but insisting that all these things are true (no pay cut/no draconian contract) doesn't actually MAKE it true.

And, why would someone who regularly sells out large theater venues need "free" publicity?

For someone who acts like they're a big fan of Bianca, you don't really seem to know much about her personality/style of comedy.

She's a Star. She doesn't need second helpings from RuPaul.

I don't see her OR Trixie doing this.

Jinkx is nothing but spectacular!

I could see Bianca being intrigued by the idea of introducing herself to an entirely new generation of fans.

[Quote] I don't see her OR Trixie doing this.

Trixie no longer needs Ru and crew. She's a millionaire many times over.

Trixie is gross. She doesn't need Ru and Drag Race doesn't need HIM. Drag Race would like Trixie for ratings but they don't want to be FORCED to crown that talentless dude again. Too much editing and trickery is required. His fandom of teen girls and fat divorcees would commit mass suicide if Trixie didn't win. Yikes. Sell your ironic makeup palettes clown. Trixie is a failed singer and comic. A sad sort of Uncle Fester looking bald man. In tighty whities with a clit sized dick. He looks 55 but is really thirty something. Bitch IS rich. A few worse people enjoy so much underserved success. Not too many.

Bianca has real and measurable talent. Considerably less without the dress, wigs and clown makeup. But he's managed to become sort of the Phyllis Diller of Drag. He's funny and a visual delight. Fright.

Trixie has made the most money of any of the queens. That is success. She's great.

Yes, money is the only measure of success. Especially when judging the excellence of a drag queen/entertainer.🙄

Bianca Del Rio isn't just big in the UK because they use metric, it's also because they love to be shamed and humiliated, and that's her bread and bread and butter.

You're the only one saying that r131/hon.

I will say this about Bianca, she earned every penny of her success and cut her teeth the old fashioned way. Even though it seemed like she just showed up and snatched the crown, there was a LONG journey that lead up to that.

Bianca is as an authentic entertainer you’re ever going to get. I respect her a lot even though she is a grade a bitch on wheels.

I wish they could convince Tyra Sanchez to get back into drag to compete. Now that'd be a real competition.

I just love Jinxx so much. Her Judy was sublime, but that Lyonne was pretty brilliant, too. Actually I like all of this group, although Yvie and Viv don’t really do all that much for me, regularly, but they do have their moments. Raja as Madam was inspired, and Jaida as Prince was so stupid it was hilarious. Trinity sometimes bugs me, but I admit she has been pretty funny.

Cameron Diaz looked fantastic. Retirement looks good on her!

[quote] ...and she’d get a huge amount of free publicity from the biggest audience Drag Race has ever had.

All Stars doesn't get the biggest audience Drag Race ever had. It is only broadcast on paid streaming service Paramount+. I'm sure all the VH1 shows have the largest audience because they are shown on basic cable.

Trinity's Leslie Jordan was one of the best impersonations ever on Drag Race, even if she was more or less showing that she is very much like Leslie Jordan. She looked like him, sounded like him and her comments were totally in character for him. I find it weird that this impersonation is being overlooked.

My favorite Drag Race contestant ever is Jinkx. That said, I'm annoyed that the reaction to Raja is so mixed. Her Madame was fun and very smart, but her Vreeland was A+++. Watch the linked video and compare with the real person. Raja's makeup for that character was also A+++.

Jinkx's Judy was hands-down the best, and that was before she sang 'Don't Be Jealous' in a perfect Judy Garland performance. Still, I was not blown away by her Natasha Lyonne. She missed a lot of opportunity with certain verbal ticks and didn't really nail her sensibility. I have been watching a lot of Lyonne interviews for a few weeks because she is so interesting, and she has this very self-aware New Yawk wise guy schtick that she plays up while always talking about esoteric and metaphysical philosophies that interest her, mixed with utter gibberish, nonsense sentences that she says and then laughs at in self-amusement. She is a prototypical Snatch Game character in real life and given all that and given how great Jinkx can be, I don't think Jinkx did her best by her own measure. She needs to work on the Lyonne one and bring it to the stage once she has nailed it.

I also find it interesting that Jinkx won season 5 in 2012 and is 34 years old, and Raja won season 3 in 2011 and is 47.

Jinkx was a kid when he won the show, and I think he remains the most talented performance artist overall. Just a natural through and through.

But I think Raja is showing he has improved as a performer and also is very talented.

I rolled my eyes when Trinity said she was doing devil, but she was hilarious. What a funny and clever character/performance!

Trinity has grown on me, but I wish his face didn't look like a puppet.

What’s the Jinkx breaking into peoples houses story?

I’m really enjoying this season. Everyone is having a good time. I think Jinkx is steam rolling so far but Monet and Trinity are holding their own. Trinity is a brilliant narrator and she was so funny having a fake tantrum when she got the plunger and cheering when this weeks plunger was given out. I don’t get the she devil thing, was it to do with Reddit?

[quote]I don’t get the she devil thing, was it to do with Reddit?

Last year Trinity was mildly criticized online for doing a club gig without a mask.

Just when fans had mostly forgotten about it, she posted a pissy message on social media defending herself, stirring up backlash and drama where there was none before. This time she lashed out and started reading and blocking people left and right (including Farrah Moan). She declared that she would block anyone who criticized her henceforth and was changing her name to #TrinityTheBlock.

After things died down again, posters on the RPDR subreddit started noticing a spate of pro-Trinity tweets from a user named SHEDevilBYNight, who implied that she was black and trans.

When Trinity admitted on Twitter that she had a Reddit account, the sub's Nancy Drews concluded that SHEDevilBYNight was a sockpuppet. The word spread, Trinity got roasted by Bob and other queens, and she quietly deleted the account.

Lol R125, you have zero concept or understanding of how the entertainment world and especially Hollywood works. I’m not going to argue with you.

There is zero proof that Trinity was whatever that Reddit handle was.

I think Trinity has really stepped up this time. I still hate her name (the Tuck? ugh.) and still resent that she won snatch game by stealing Sharon Needle's brilliant Caitlyn Jenner. That said, she only tied as winner of all-stars because she would have been the 4th white queen to win in a row, and Ru couldn't let that happen. And because of the way they are chosen, the All-Stars winners really don't have the same claim to fame as the regular season winners.

If this season remains as positive and popular as its been so far, I can see the big names being tempted to go on a future winners' season. You can't match the publicity and this format doesn't really harm anyone's reputation.

[quote] this format doesn't really harm anyone's reputation.

I'm not so sure...I can't imagine Tyra being depicted favorably, even with editing to try to make her look good. She has a bad atittude and never did anything but twirl on the runway.

"The Tuck" is a terrible name. What was wrong with just Trinity?

And what was wrong with Sonique? Adding Kylie just adds confusion.

I just learned that Raja is officially Raja Gemini.

The irony of someone whose name is a Christian reference playing Satan just clicked for me...

Tyra/James stopped doing drag years ago and doesn't even like people to associate them with the show anymore. You notice World of Wonder did not actually show her during the Raven bit, only Chad.

Jinkx was so good this last episode.

The only thing about doing another winners season is that whoever wins this one can't retain the "Queen Of All Queens" label unless she comes back to defend her title. You can't really have 2 of them.

Jinkx tried to steal the end of Snatch Game. And it was great.

But Trinity’s “they changed it to ‘drag queen’” caught me by surprise and I laughed white wine everywhere.

I don’t care for Trinity that much. But she was fast on her feet.

But what is he saying they changed to drag queens? The phrase "May the best woman win?" which is what RuPaul says right before runway.

Fortunately, I didn't find it funny so the lines of coke I was doing were safe.

Ru hasn't said woman (or gentleman for the first part) for several seasons now r156, like Trinity quipped it was changed to "Racers, start your engines, and may the best drag queen win' to be gender-neutral

R154 sure you can, in a few years we’ll fucking get RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Winner’s Winner’s Season.

It’s no longer “May the best woman win” R156. It was changed to “‘May the best drag queen win” a few seasons ago. Ru said it right before the runway.

Have you noticed that most of the whtie queens who get fillers and surgery end up looking a lot like each other, that weird pie face dough look

Drag Race is past its expiration date.

They'll stop making it when people stop watching it, right now it's still a huge money maker with no sign of slowing down r161. I'm honestly astounded at how big it's become and how many damn seasons the franchise can pump out.

Dave responds!

R154 Oh yeah, that’ll stop ‘em from having two Queen of all Queens for sure!

Wasn’t Trinity’s full name originally Trinity Taylor, and Ru started calling her “The Tuck” on her season?

Trinity changed her drag name after her original season to be Trinity The Tuck rather than Trinity Taylor r165. She thought it was smarter branding.

She was wrong

R145 oh, honey....you so stupid.

Heidi N. Closet chose to ignore Ru’s advice to change names. Thankfully.

Heidi's name is clever. I assume RuPaul is offended by it because it plays on "hiding in closet," which goes against RuPaul's life philosophy? I really couldn't figure out why they made telling Heidi to change the name 'a thing' throughout the season. There have been many names I dislike far more throughout the run of the series, including The Tuck, Thorgy Thor and plenty of others.

Thorgy's entrance line: "Thorgy with a T H and orgy and I feel incredible!"

I'm still not sure what he intended with that line.

R171 A hell of a lot of the contestants on this show are shockingly inarticulate and seemingly limited, at least with language. A few of them—Bianca, Ginger come to mind—are obviously both intelligent and well educated, but the majority of them give the impression through their inabilities to speak rationally that their educational endeavors ended before middle school.

Sometimes, that's their charm. I will always remember Joslyn Fox fondly for saying such stupid things, particularly the whole mortifying exchange with Cher's mother and Chas.

^Chad

Miss Georgia: "It was the great depression"

Adore: "Party!"

i wonder if Adore's nosejob affected her ability to sing. She really should have been cast in Rent instead of Valentina.

R175 That wouldn't have happened. Valentina never did anything to suggest she could sing. She just looked passable as a pretty-woman crossdresser, and that is obviously why she was cast. It wasn't for singing or dancing ability. So Adore, who had some singing talent, isn't really comparable. Maybe someone like Aquaria.

It was a brilliant meta moment.

R63, I don’t think it’s an issue of other winners not wanting to do it. Alaska and Bob have both admitted they never got the call. The only ones who might not do it again are Trixie and Bianca, but they’re so huge that they’re the exception. I’d love to see Sharon back but she’s cancelled even though the accusations against her were disproven.

I'd love to see Bebe Z. Benet in a proper All Winners season.

[quote]I could see Bianca being intrigued by the idea of introducing herself to an entirely new generation of fans.

I can't see Bianca's style of humor meshing well with the new (i.e. younger and/or frau-ier) generation of fans.

Me too, R179. She really doesn't seem to have the whole skillset required to ace Drag Race, but she's really likable and entertaining. There are some queens I would love to watch regularly, competition or none, and she is one. Jujubee, Jinkx, Bianca, Alyssa, Bob, Manila, Willow, Blu Hydrangea, Tammie, Joslyn, Heidi, Aja, Vangie, Kim Chi, Katya are among them. And Chi Chi if it were possible.

It's too bad there isn't another good reality show format to make use of their personalities and talents.

I wanted to name Raja, too, because I like Raja, but everyone else seems to despise him for some reason.

I didn't name Trixie or Raven because they seem better off on their own in other formats.

Ones I don't have any interest in seeing again include (among the ones who did well; there are also many others) Tyra, Violet, Aquaria, Sharon, Acid Betty, Daya Betty, Gia Gunn, Phi Phi, Derrick, Laganja, Willam, Carmen, Melk, Shangela (don't hate her, but have had sufficient of her), Courtney, Thorgy (the paranoid jealousy is a deal breaker despite some positive attributes).

Does Jinkx still have narcolepsy? That seems to have been dropped from the storyline.

Bob is hosting The Pit Stop, the official Drag Race reaction show, so he must not be bitter about not having been asked to do the show.

I like this cast! I would have liked to have thrown Aquaria and Violet into the mix - not because they are particular favourites of mine but I think they would add something that is perhaps slightly lacking in the line-up.

WTF was that Madame thing that Raja did? I've never seen or heard of that before and it was terrifying!

You don't know what you missed!

Just announced on official channels:

[BOLD] Ru Paul’s Big Mother.

Something BIG is coming to NETFLIX

According to sources in the know a 4 week long Drag version of the hit reality show BIG BROTHER is allegedly coming to the streaming channel fronted by none other than Rupaul Herself

RUPAULS BIG MOTHER could see 10 Franchise Favourite Queens holed up together in a luxury house with 70 Cameras, 120 microphones and a Whole host of Dragtacular challenges

The 10 contestants will eat, sleep and breath Drag as they compete for $150 000 grand prize by evicting their fellow queens

Challenges are set to include Makeovers, Assault Courses, endurance tests and Lip Syncing for the their supper

Early names linked to the format include Adore Delano, Ginger Minj, Kennedy Davenport, Alyssa Edwards, Katya, Manila Luzon, Thorgy Thor, Tammie Brown, Willam Belli and Heidi N Closet

It is said to be one of the first formats for NETFLIX new Live content and you will be able to watch the queens 24/7, 7 days a week with Multi camera functionality

That sounds like the end of franchise to me, R186.

I love Raja, I loved Raja's Madame. My favorite ladies as a boy were all puppets: Madame, Miss Piggy, and Lady Elaine Fairechilde (owner of the museum go round in Mr. Roger's Neighborhood of Make Believe). I grew up in a banner age of puppets.

Another DL Raja fan here.

Have been since his first episode.

R186 is full of shit. That was announced on no official channels, which is why they didn't link it.

Just a rumor, could be very fake

Hated Raja on his original season with all that Booger/Heathers nonsense . He’s growing on me this go-around.

Agreed R190, she was hugely obnoxious her season. She seems to have grown up, somewhat.

[Quote] Hated Raja on his original season with all that Booger/Heathers nonsense

Agree! Though her read was there. Unoriginal and lazy, IMO.

I laughed at r181 and her love for Raja and then listed some of the most hateful queens ever she hated. She conveniently forgot Raja was one of the first hateful queens who started all the bullshit in the first place. Ha!

People would watch the fuck out of "RuPaul's Big Mother".

But, no way in hell is Willam getting asked to do it.

Here it is. All that matters.

80% of the queens were just okay. Jinkx killed it. No one could touch her.

[quote] Early names linked to the format include Adore Delano, Ginger Minj, Kennedy Davenport, Alyssa Edwards, Katya, Manila Luzon, Thorgy Thor, Tammie Brown, Willam Belli and Heidi N Closet

I call BS because Jujubee isn’t listed. And Jujubee wouldn’t NOT be there if Rupaul were starting anything up to and including a bowel movement, much less a new tv show.

I love that the other queens let Jinkx run with it to do Judy. That took some professionalism and mad respect for Jinkx and the icon being presented.

Can you imagine Kandy Muse or Phi Phi O'Hara sitting next to Jinkx? They would have done all they could to interrupt her and steal focus with something less deserving.

The cherry on the cake was when Jinx called Ru ‘Broom’. Michelle was laughing so hard you just know a little bit of pee escaped.

R196 or that fucking cunt Coco Montrese.

Remember on Season 5 when Coco was such a bitch because:

1) She didn't know who Little Edie was

2) Tried to call out Jinkx DURING Snatch Game for doing someone Coco assumed no one else had heard of either and Ru wasn't having it because of course Ru knows Little Edie.

Gawd, I hate that cunt, Coco.

Jinkx understands Snatch Game. She knows it’s more than just impersonating someone. You have to make caricatures out of them. Too many of the younger ones think it’s just about dressing up to look like the person. It’s also easier if you pick celebrities who have big personalities.

What challenges is everyone most excited for? I’m waiting to see the design challenge and makeovers. I would DIE if they had to makeover the judges. But they’ll probably have to do the Pit Crew.

I loathe Snatch Game because it's always cringey and I am so so so so so so so bored of the choreographed musical lipsynch numbers. But this was the first mostly entertaining SG, so maybe they'll find a way to make the musicals less snoozy than usual.

I miss a lot of the good old ridiculous challenges, doing things in public and silly modeling spoofs.

I guess I am looking forward to a comedy challenge. Most of these people are very talented.

It feels like this is how the Snatch Game was always supposed to be, but never quite got there until now.

Is that because everyone here was a winner, baby?

Them being winners means it would be good. Most of the winners did decent to amazing on their seasons.

I mean it's unrealistic to think a regular season Snatch Game would ever be this good r202, no one actually bombed here.

These are all very seasoned performers at this point with a lot of resources to help them prepare.

I liked how Jinkx referenced the gay veteran she made over back in Season 5. I forgot how he told Jinkx and Ru that he may have killed Judy Garland.

I loved watching Ru, Michelle, and Ross losing it when Jinxx-as-Judy started the bit about the veteran. It was awesome how it suddenly dawned on them. I had forgotten the “I may have killed Judy Garland” thing at first, but when I remembered I also just lost it. Jinxx is next level for incorporating that.

Bring back the challenges where they had to score money off strangers in the street.

The queens all did a great to decent job.

The only thing annoying about this Snatch Game was all the ridiculously fake over the top phony laughter from Ru, Michelle and that annoying no talent jackass Ross.

I actually don’t think think they were fake laughing at most of the jokes, seemed genuine, this time… fake laughter is what you see during regular season snatch games.

Yes, and it's always annoying.

Ru is the worst fake laugher in the world.

Bitch can't act.

The laughter looked entirely real to me. They seemed surprised that they could find SG so funny, is how I took it, so it was over the top for them already. It was legit funny for the first time.

Have you seen Michelle try to act? That was obviously real laughter. I mean duh, they thought Jinx was funny, everyone did.

Oh, they did think shit was funny but go back and look at other clips of Ru and Company laughing at shit that ISN'T funny. It's always big, over the top and ridiculous.

I've never heard Ru cackle like he did at Jujubee as Eartha Kitt.

I still think Jujubee won that Snatch Game. For funnier than Shea, but that wasn’t the storyline.

Shea is a drag queen I just don't "get." I mean, intellectually, yes Shea has all the workings of a great drag queen, but something about her doesn't sit right with me. She's too calculating. I can't warm up to her.

R216 I’m devastated. You are my sole target audience.

I didn't favor Shea the first time I saw her season but I really appreciated her rewatching it and rewatching her All Stars. To me, it's mainly about her poise and control. She feels to me like a 100 percent refined professional performance artist and especially dancer instead of someone who feels their way through things. And lookswise, she won me over totally with the rhinestoned body suit and the makeup that went with it. That was a movie-quality concept and execution.

She's also always felt warm and generous to the others to me, and I appreciate that. I think what she is missing is the CUNT that charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent add up to, and she doesn't have the classical beauty thing going on, but honestly for me, that's the last thing I care about. Most of the very pretty ones are really unintetesting.

Shea is the kid whose assignments are always in early, whose science project is polished beyond the skills of a 5th grader, and whose hand is perpetually in the air ready to answer teacher's question.

Shea is giving RuPaul exactly what RuPaul says he wants.

I like Shea and Jaida a lot. They’re both deserving winners.There’s something very appealing about them.

Even though Gigi and Crystal were both exciting and all three were different in the final, there was something terrific about Jaida dancing around her living room relying on nothing but good wigs and messy choreography and heart. Her breakdown over Covid isolation during her winner’s season was genuinely sad to see. It just scratched the surface of how traumatized we all are. She’s sweet but also compelling (to me.)

I like Shea’s confidence, and she consistently serves up fierce looks and attitude.

The one I really can’t come around on and I’ve tried again and again is Monet. Her makeup and wigs are always trash, her comedy is basic, her lip syncs are meh and her fashion is…. Fugly. I honestly don’t get it. At all.

R219 An overachiever. In the entertainment industry, that translates to a reliable professional. The industry relies on people like that, and it also makes a lot of room for messy, unreliable artists who unpredictably turn in inspired work. There are the Meryl Streeps and the Laura Linneys (professional, prepared Shea), the Joaquin Phoenixes and Jack Nicholsons (temperamental Alaska) and all the in-betweens.

I do watch parts of Sibling Rivalry, and I like Monet’s chemistry with Bob.

R220 I love Monet. She is a mess. I think if so many of the others weren't so polished, I'd feel like something were missing, but since Monet is in the company of such highly polished peers, I feel like she fills a certain niche and adds some color. She's really the opposite of Shea in that Shea doesn't ever seem to miss a choreographed step with smooth, clockwork movements, and Monet galumphs around the stage looking like a confused man in a wig, and I find it really entertaining—because Monet has a really quick wit. And I'm well aware that the judges' comments often have nothing to do with reality and are meant to advance the storyline and to tell viewers how we are supposed to see different contestants, but I do agree with Michelle's comment this season that "the thing about Monet is that she is just overflowing with charisma." I do agree.

There's not really any other explanation for why Monet works among a group of pros, but her charisma is convincing to me.

People like Monet and (appearance wise) Jinkx are really important aspects of this show to me because Drag Race became boring as fuck by the time Jaida and Gigi were competing as glamorous, passable women who knew every move to make because they've watchec the show since seventh grade.

Monet is a man in a wig, and drag is about men in wigs. Gigantic, ridiculous looking crossdressers. I am absolutely fine with pre- and post-op transgender drag queens. I don't care about all that. But there has to be a place in drag for 'cisgender' men who look like men even all dolled up (that's the entire basis of the humor and this is a comedy show when it boils down to it). Saying Monet doesn't belong because she looks like a man in a wig presumes Drag Race is really 'The Most Passable Crossdresser Show,' and it's not that.

R215 I agree, Jujubee and Alexis were both much better than Shae in that snatch game but somehow Shae won.

Btw I don’t dislike Shae I just feel like she’s over-praised and always seems to be favored by the producers

She always looks great though, can’t deny that

I think production handed AS5 to Shea as a consolation prize after she got screwed by the S9 finale twist.

I like Shea, I just always forget about her and have to really try to remember her performances and looks. That runway look with the Nefertiti headpiece was stellar, though.

I hope Jaida gets lots of bookings now? She really is a sweetheart, I think. Her Prince snatch WAS stupid, as Michelle said, but yes, that’s what made it funny.

Shea's gasp when Naomi walked out was very sweet. She's usually pretty measured in her demeanor, so to see her lose it a little was endearing.

I wonder what Jinkz's final Snatch Game number was originally. When she starts it, she's performing into the mic, but when she goes into the Drag Race theme, the mic is gone. Then in the final clip, the mic is back. I'm guessing she went into a song they didn't want to pay royalties for.

One thing I will never understand is the reverence of runway modeling. I do see that Naomi Campbell has a strong presence and a lot of charisma of her own, even without being very high energy. But everyone agreeing that she is "a goddess" because of the way she walks is really just something I can't compute. I understand and can see for myself that a person either can or cannot walk a runway in a commanding/interesting way, but...it's a walk.

Sometimes you just can't really appreciate things as others do and this is one of those things.

I do definitely understand why Naomi Campbell as a celebrity persona would be important to Shea, Jaida and other black people. That goes without saying.

R229, we gay boys love our runway divas. Ever tried to do runway walking? It's much harder than it looks.

I have a nice long hallway at home and practice my walks when I'm feeling spicy. It's a lot of fun, and yet I recognize that there is a lot to it. Each movement has to be specific and perfect, and yet feel and look effortless at the same time, all while conveying a sense of energy and personality.

Naomi comes across like a mega princess, and kind of a bitch, but that's how many famous divas really are (maybe they had to be in order to last this long). So, while I can't see myself kissing her ass, I would certainly be intimidated if she were to watch me do my runways, and would enjoy feedback from a legend like her. Those queens got a great opportunity.

[quote]I have a nice long hallway at home and practice my walks when I'm feeling spicy.

What a rich, fulfilling life!

KIND OF a bitch?

Yeah, R232 / Tyra, I was being diplomatic, since I did see that Naomi was SMIZING at the queens. ;)

The thing about Snatch Game is you have to pick a character that you can pull off with lots of jokes, even if they start to veer away from the technicalities of the impersonation. It’s much better to be funnier than to pull off the characterization perfectly.

The problem with so many of these queens is that they’re too wrapped up in the fantasy. They love, say, Beyonce. They went into drag because of her. They love feeling the moment of her. So when an opportunity comes up that they could use to feel the full fantasy, they never stop to think if that would make for an interesting character. The temptation is too great.

This is why we get weird indulgent Snatch Game impressions. Asia O’Hara was the worst at this. Her ultimate fantasy of being Beyonce was being cruel, dehumanizing, and grueling towards the people around her which was very yelling towards her mental state — you want to be famous so you can dominate and humiliate the people around you? YIKES — it was also painfully unfunny and toxic to the comedy around it.

Snatch Game is a comedy challenge.

Drag Race's Runway is part fashion runway but it's also a nod to Ballroom runway which is also a riff off a runway.

Yvie is so hot. That Boogieman was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen on Drag Race. Whew!

Monet has a godly ass. Everytime it’s on screen my eyes go straight to it and I can’t focus on anything else lol

Bob says that Monet is pulling a wagon. Ha. That ASS is real!

Naomi has some good plastic surgery, but she's starting not to look like herself- I can't quite put my finger on it- maybe a nose job?

Becky: Mama offered to drive us over to Vero Beach to see the Dodgers play. Jeremy's a big baseball fan.

Jeremy: Becky's a bigger one. Becky's a bigger everything.

Dorothy: Not everything, Jeremy.

^I don't think someone understands the assignment.

Oh FFS.

Spoiler Alert: - - - - - - - - - If you didn't love Jaida Essence Hall before, you will after tonight!

This season is good!

It really is, R244. Reminds me why I used to like this show, rather than obligation watching a few episodes every season. I vowed not to, but these old gals brought me back to the track.

It looks to me like we have 5 queens in the running for the four finalist spots (Jinx, Trinity, Shea, Monet, Jaida) and three competing for last spot (Yvie, Viv, Raja). Groundbreaking observation, I know, but I just can’t see the latter 3 getting a star unless it’s a pity win.

I thought Raja should have won the ball challenge.

I agree, R247.

The faces for the first runway when they saw the special guest! Joy is such a rare emotion anymore, let alone on reality television.

I think Rajas gold look was one of the best ever, stunning, shame she messed up the previous look as she would of won this. Love to see her lip-sync just once.

The judges were fair with Raja, she would she have won if her second look met the brief at all. It's Rajas fault she didn't win a star.

She won 2 out of the 3 looks by a wide margin. I think that should have been enough to place her in the top two, but it is what it is.

I also think Raja deserved top two status.

And I agree that this season is the best in a very long time and that it returns the series from obligation TV to great entertainment, even if only for the season. Unfortunately, it's clear the franchise is just about churning out endless iterations starring anything that moves while there's still some public interest.

I've looked up reviews of this season and have seen several articles on sites like Vulture (I'm actually not sure if Vulture is one of them, but sites like that that seem to employ college freshmen who can't write well as culture critics.) that have slammed this series and say that RuPaul has finally jumped the shark. I am baffled. This season is so, so much better and not only better but actually very entertaining. Meanwhile, I looked up reviews of The Flight Attendant's finale and many sites came up saying that it 'nailed the landing' and that that show improved upon its first season, which is ridiculous. This one was so bad. But I digress...

Flight Attendant is unwatchable this second season. I turned it off midway through second episode. The charm of the frenetic energy is gone.

This season of Drag Race is great, but it’s most likely a one off energy. I too liked Raja’s looks although that Grease/John Waters thing sank her. It felt like five top contenders. I LOVED Shea’s first look and Vivienne’s last look. WOW. So good. Jaida and Trinity were also fab. I was sad to see Jinkx blocked. If she’s not in the finale… Urgh.

Jinkx and Ben De La Creme being best friends makes more sense than anything that's ever been on Drag Race. They're perfect performance artistsand they know themselves so well. Jinkx was serious when she said about the sewing competition, "Watch out! It's my one weakness!" And somehow she can get away with saying that and still being endearing.

If Raja's second look didn't meet the brief, then about half of the first looks didn't. What Shea trotted out, for instance, was nothing that Vanna would have worn on WOF.

Raja wuz robbed.

I’m mesmerized by Raja’s smooth, motionless forehead.

Even if you don't like Katya or Pearl, watch this. Pretty fascination conversation. Lots of tangential Drag Race gossip and what in the fuck did Pearl do with Katya? The reveal is extremely unusual. She doesn't look pretty, she doesn't look younger, but she looks NOTHING like Katya. More like an old Russian Hooker though.

Katya usually bugs me with his manic free association - but he's grown up and older. Pearl is still a bitch. But they're clearly friends and fellow outcasts.

Pearl calls RuPaul a sociopath. Ha.

R255

And that’s why Shea also wasn’t chosen for top 2.

I think they got the top 2 right.

Is Untucked worth watching?

R260, it's a love fest and drama free. So it's worth watching if you're tired of the cringey drama from the competitors who might go home.

JInkx and Dela are not best friends.

They're "friends" and they work together but they're not really gal pals who hang out with each other when not working.

They all look the same.

They don't all look the same but there sure is something in the water of Seattle. Jinkx, Dela, Robbie Turner and Bosco are all rather ODD and socially different from most other people.

Bob shaded Jinkx this week on the Pit Stop. It was good natured and funny - because it sounded so true.

Jinkx is from Portland OR. Dela is from Connecticut. Robbie is from some podunk town in Washington State.

Bosco is from....Mars?

No. I looked it up. Montana.

It doesn't matter where you were born, moron. It's well known that Jinkx, Bosco, Robbie and Bendela are Seattle Drag Queens. It's a Drag Culture. They will always be referred to as Seattle Queens. Jinkx married herself a cute, twinky, British boy. But she's still a Seattle Queen. Who owns a house in Portland.

Just as others are Chicago Drag Queens and that toxic bunch from L.A. - that includes Raja, Willem, Morgan, Detox (who escaped them) Delta, Raven & Mayhem.

Well!

I guess that told ME off!

Yeah...I'm well aware of the Seattle drag culture.

Idiot.

Can we have some nicer discussion, now that these two bitches have stated their boundaries?

Jesus Chris you cunts know how to kill a thread.

I really hope this season continues to be joyous and high quality.

it's probably the best season as far as joy (I love s2 but it's bitchy not joyous)

I have never watched Drag Race for the competition/who-will-win aspect. That provides narrative momentum and a motivation for the cast, I guess. But I watch for the creativity and imagination and (for some, not all) the personalities. This is also why I hate that the series evolved over time to eliminate most of the design and modeling spoofs and to do so many more choreographed musical episodes. Those are not creative at all. They involve forcing people with diverse talents to memorize dance steps and move their mouths while someone else sings a song with really stupid lyrics. The joy of this show is in the creativity of its cast, the creative challenges and the interesting personal stories and personalities. It has seemed like the more successful the show has become, the more it's focused on less-creative challenges, rigged winners and finding modelesque and acrobatic cast members instead of really fascinating and lovable individuals like Jinkx, Alyssa, et al.

[quote]Willem

You in danger, gurl.

[quote]They involve forcing people with diverse talents to memorize dance steps and move their mouths while someone else sings a song with really stupid lyrics.

Um, that's drag.

^Um, that's lipsyncing

r271, you might like Dragula, which in the beginning is so low rent with the bad editing and camera work, but with scrappy horror drag queens.

And freaking Jade Jolie is on a season of Dragula, trying, yet again, so hard, and failing.

Dragula has some fun looks but I can never warm up to the monsters. They all seem like very damaged people you’d cross the street to get away from in real life. The Boulets are spineless exploiters too. They give that blubbering preamble about how art is subjective so they can be cowards and not call out shitty drag for what it is yet they do ultra sleazy things like strap contestants to a lie detector test on camera and ask them things like “have you ever had a sexual fantasy about a family member?”

I think Dragula would be a really good show if they sanded the edges off a bit and got someone like Elvira to host.

ha ha ha ha

Jade, jealousy is a killer in this industry!

Oh, Alyssa, if I was gonna judge anyone, I'd judge you on that body where the shoulders should match them hips; but they don't. So ....

*henhenhenhen*

I'm really enjoying this season. No fake producer-rigged elimination drama, no stressful crying or back-stabbing. I was really getting tired of watching gay men get tortured by reality show producers, RuPaul and his evil minions. Watching gays crying and yelling every week for the sake of entertainment was starting to feel cheap, cruel and hard to watch.

This season has been all about talented queens with lots of $ and fabulous outfits having fun, being friends, looking fabulous and doing what they love. It's been an oasis of joy for me during some truly terrible times.

All dusted.

No busted.

[quote]It's been an oasis of joy for me during some truly terrible times.

MARY!

You really gonna MARY! someone on a Drag Race thread?

I. myself, identify as more of a MARIA!

I loved the first three episodes but this one was meh. A Judge Judy-style Fairy Tale Justice Court sounds like a fun idea in the abstract, but it fell flat in the execution. I didn't laugh once, and that says a lot when you've got a cast that includes people like Jinkx and the Vivienne, who have excelled in acting challenges.

Hopefully this was just an off night and the show will bounce back next week.

R284 I know that may seem like a bit of a dramatic over-statement to you wretched bitches, but last week's shooting and dead school kids was pretty hard on my mental-health.

I don't usually end up crying because of the news, but last week was an exception. Watching Drag Race and seeing all the sparkly queens laughing and being kind to each other was the only thing that managed to lift my spirt.

It was like Judge Judy meets Night Court. RIP Markie Post.

Some of it was funny. I laughed at Jinkx (especially the adlib at the end with the ear), Trinity, and Viv. Thought Yvie was great but it was a crowded top. Husband noted how all feedback is positive which is a bit too on-the-nose but hey.

I think a lot of these types of skits would be far funnier IRL but it just doesn’t often translate well on TV. At least none of it was cringe.

I would just block Shea every week because she bugs me.

YAWN!

One of the tragedies of Drag Race never giving us a breather is that we take RuPaul's wit for granted.

He is really fucking funny a lot of the time in his own way, and his comic timing is amazing. He doesn't have the kind of steel-trap wit that Joan Rivers had, of course, but he has a great way of surprising, especially by leading you down a road of expecting him to say something sincere and heartfelt and borderline sentimental and then subverting it, not with a mean punchline but just something preposterous and surprising.

[quote] We're getting to witness the rebirth of Raja—because all the people who knew you from back then, they're all dead!

Nah, I liked this episode R286. Jinkx had some truly great moments, the falling off ear was particularly hilarious. The Vivienne also finally showed up, and I thought Yvie was good as well. In a just world, Monet would have gone home, and I love she got blocked. Vivienne really wanted to block Jinxk, as they all should, she’s going to walk away with this season. It’s amazing to see her in such excellent form, since she’s really been underutilized and ignored over the years. She’s fully formed as an artist, has developed a totally realized look, has a quick wit, and can sing. She can lipsync if the material suits her. I really want her to win this season. I find her completely charming.

Shea has absolutely no screen presence. She was the worst person to start off her group. It was one-note and robotic. Seeing all the holes poked in her overrated drag has been yet another joy of this joyful season.

I guess this was Jeffrey Bowers Chapman’s payback for getting run off Canada by the fans (and deservedly so). I’m surprised the fans hate him as much as they do. He represents them far better than Ru and Michelle do. Still came off as fake, tasteless, and condescending as ever.

Yvie was funny... and strangely sexy.

Agreed, R286. This was a very dull episode.

The old Looney Tunes cartoon from 1957, 'The Three Little Bops', was far more subversive - ands funny - than this episode's three little pigs scenario. The Goldilocks redux was even worse..

I forgot Jeffrey was a judge on Canada (I only watched a couple episodes of S2). What’d he do to get booted?

The fans thought his critiques were too mean.

Yvie is the only masculine sex appeal ever on this show.

Jeffrey B-C has one of very few faces that just melt me. He's so handsome, and then he smiles and I absolutely swoon. He seems pretty vapid and he tries way too hard with the gay lingo when he speaks, but physically alone, he's "dreamy." I can't really think of many people I think that word describes so well.

I agree with the person above who says this episode was a letdown compared with earlier ones this season. It was very ho-hum average Drag Race. But it was only one episode. I'm looking forward to others.

I appreciate that the judges and viewers are being charitable throughout this time around. Being honest, I thought this one was pretty much a dud. Everyone did get to showcase their bantering and characterization abilities, but the premise was just like any episode of Drag Race that wouldn't feel very amusing. Jinkx is my favorite by a mile but she didn't bowl me over this time. I did think The Viv was great with her accents and her changing of stories without explanation was smart. She was the standout to me. Trinity didn't make me laugh but she came closest. The little spin she did amused me. I'm one of the few here who doesn't revile Yvie but this wolf character didn't do it for me; it was a retread of the Boogieman, and both are male characters, not drag at all. That doesn't make any sense to me in the context of this show. It's better suited to Improv Clown Race, and that's not a thing for a reason.

Jeffrey Bowers Chapman is a talentless hack. He was handsome in his 20's but now he's pushing 40 and the clock is running out fast! His face is showing it. On CDR he knew nothing about basic gay history. What a sad embarrassment.

I never would have thought I'd find Yvie sexy, but here we are. Another unexpected joy to the season. His runway was terrific, too.

I love Raja, and she better get to have herses at least once.

Jeffrey Bowers Chapman was great on the show UnReal with Constance Zimmer and Sherri Appleby, but he isn't good on drag race.

Another one surprised by how attracted they are to Yvie here, especially out of drag. I should go back and watch his season.

It might be because the recent seasons have been nothing but queens who have silicon sculpted themselves, whether because they are trans or Trinity Taylor/Chad types, and without humor, that I was surprised by Yvie. I liked her season, but I like the weirdo drag better than pageant/instagram sameness.

The queens have been ridiculously sexless, even as they vamp sexuality, it comes off enuchy.

I find it odd that everyone comments on appearances but I don't think I have ever read a comment on DL about Raja's actual appearance.

I think he is very attractive as a man and also absolutely gorgeous in drag.

Actually, I just looked at a bunch of still photos out of drag and didn't find him as attractive as I thought...I think there's something about the way he speaks and his mannerism that I find magnetic. I really don't know what it is but he's got an allure.

Raja is from the seasons when there were still sexy men doing drag, not living full time fantasias.

Jaida is very sexy to me, in and out of drag. And he's cute and funny and quick witted enough. Don't sleep on her. Jaida, Trinity and Jinkx are the only ones who can win this. I'm not so sure Jinkx is going to take it. Her runways and her wigs are pretty questionable. What in the fuck did she lip sync in that hideous dress for? Blocked or not it was still for 10 grand and a Whitney Houston remix. That is the very worst I have ever seen Jinkx perform.

Monet and Shea were both flat out bad in the challenge. Everyone else did OK. It's not really improv. There's a script. Some are better riffing off it than others. Jinkx, Trinity and The Viv all had some funny moments.

Michelle Visage is as gifted as the "hilarious" Ross Mathews. I can't stand it when they're part of the challenges.

Bob does a hilarious takedown/ impersonation of Ross Mathews panel critiques on the new Pit Stop.

Yvie was robbed! Should have been in the top 2. That wolf was the star of the show!

If you haven't seen this long form interview with the queens, enjoy it. It's not all blue humor, cackles and shade. It's more mature and honest and pretty moving at times. There are tears. It surprised me who seems most vulnerable, the most secure, the actual funniest, the wisest or the most beautiful. All quite different than expected in some ways. (Get over your aversion to Ben Platt and give it a try.)

This group of queens is just stellar.....together. Drag Race caught lightning in a bottle this season.

R303 And the funny thing is, all those silicone pumped queens have the gall to argue about which one is the "trade" of the season on the show now, too!

That would be Yvie, apparently.

Shea has a funny one off response to Yvie in the above interview. It's not bitchy, just observant. Turns out Shea, Raja and The Viv have more complex wit than Jinkx, Trinity and Monet. Who knew?

Jeffrey Boyer Chapman is the human embodiment of a “y’all” comment.

Jeffrey was born and raised in Edmonton Alberta. His father is of Jamaican descent. Starting at 17, Jeffrey began to model in Europe and South Africa and all over North America. He remained a successful Wilhelmina model and started his acting career in Canada, where he remained until about 2009. In Calgary.

There is nothing comparable to a "y'all" comment about Jeffrey Bowyer Chapman. Whatever the fuck that implies. He is the embodiment of a successful Black Canadian male actor, model and all round gorgeous man. Whatever your fucking IGNORANT old man racist bullshit is R313 - stuff it back INSIDE your flabby OLD ASS.

R313 hates Asia O'Hara. The Vixen, calls Shea - "Chicago Trash" and posts negatively about Monet and Symone as well.

Could R313 be a FLAMING RACIST?!? What y'all think?

Let's not start the racism bullshit on this very pleasant thread for a very pleasant season. The Meghan Markle threads are lively for that topic. Kindly: GO.

Keep Jeffrey's name out of your filthy racist mouth old man. You know NOTHING about anything that happened after 1975. When you were 40 years old. Fucking ancient RACIST kween.

Ain't nobody going.

How y'all and all y'all doin?

He tried to imitate Ru Paul in tone, action, and word but just came across as mean, bitchy, and irritating. The fan hate for him was intense as a result.

Grandma Ru didn't discover JBC. Lol. People dumb at this here site.

JBC's critiques on Canada's Drag Race probably weren't really that bad, but I think compared to someone as warm and likeable (IMO) like Stacey Mackenzie his critiques made him sound like a monster.

Producers advised him to be like that. Then when the backlash came they threw him UTB.

Jeffrey is one of the most beautiful men in the world. But he's an out gay man, so no one cares?

I think all the judges on the first Canada season were directed to be mean or 'edgy' or something for drama. This is such a stupid theory, but I wonder if it's because the crew thought Canadians are so nice that the spinoff would be too bland and boring because of that. I only suggest that because everyone's go-to joke about Canadians is about how nice they are. Funnily enough, this has not been my experience *at all* with people from Ontario or Montréal. Most Canadian people I've known have been harsh verging on assholery.

JBC did eventually suggest that he was told exactly what to say as a judge and was uncomfortable saying a lot of it. I believe it because he has always been affable on the real Drag Race seasons, and suddenly on the Canadian one he was harsh and unkind while being inauthentically sassy, hun-NAYY.

I had a HUGE crush on him until that season and then I lost interest. His and Brooke's judgements weren't only mean, but they were usually totally arbitrary. Jeffrey would say something like, "I don't know why you wore that. I'm sure you had other choices that were more flattering. This dress makes you look terrible, hun-NAY. Do better, KWEEN."

And Brooke's were even worse to me because they were entirely unhelpful and self-centered. Always something like, "You're wearing lace stockings. I would have work silk stockings with that outfit. But I wouldn't have worn that outfit. I'd wear a corset and a petticoat. I don't like your wig or your shoes. I'd wear higher heels, and I definitely wouldn't wear that lipstick. Thank you, you're safe, but don't make the same mistakes next week," as if anyone could avoid the 'mistakes' of not anticipating how Brooke would prefer to dress herself if she were them. She did that in every episode and it actuallt ruined the entire Canada franchise for me.

FUCK YOU R324!

JBC might be attractive, but I find his fake-y "Oh, look I'm so gay and really fun and witty" act unbearable. Mainly becaue he just comes off as cringy and stupid. He's hard to watch because of that, and not so much because he was mean.

So glad Jinkx won the challenge. I had a feeling they were going to give a storyline win to one of the other girls. Hopefully the show realizes they can’t pull the rigging shit this season when she’s so clearly nailing these challenges.

It’s also a private joy seeing Shea get exposed as the most overrated contestant in Drag Race history. She is not nearly standing up to these other girls.

I don't understand your perspective about Shea, R327, which is fine, but I also don't see at all what you are seeing when you say she's "being exposed as the most overrated." What are you seeing?

I rewatched both seasons with Shea recently and I really like her a lot. More than I did before. She always has been generous and kind and helpful to others, and she seems enormously talented to me, especially as a dancer and clothes maker and draggy model. She's very poised.

Jinkx is my favorite of all of them—all, ever—because of the talent and the affable personality, and I really, really like both Raja and Trinity from this group. (Well, I really like Raja and I really think Trinity is a talent who is usually overlooked.) But Shea to me stands out as one of the most polished and poied and best.

Shea should’ve won her OG season

^ THIS ^

When the Queens did one of their many interviews for this season, they were asked who was the best "judy" among them. Which means good friend to everyone. Trinity was everyone's answer but one, who said Monet.

That Shea did not win over I can't even remember the pretentious freaks name - was riggory morti.

Shea is not my favorite, but she is probably one of the most polished queens to ever be on the show, and is consistently a good to great performer in challenges. The only one for me who is behind the pack is Monet.

I like Shea a lot. Agree she should have won her original season were it not for rose petals.

Raja was fun tonight as was Vivienne, but damn if Jinkx isn’t walking away with this season. I hope this turns her into the famous queen she should be.

Agree, Monet is a messy mess, and you can tell she feels out of place. She had some funny lines tonight tho.

[quote]Then when the backlash came they threw him UTB.

Well, Rosa P. made it rather difficult to throw their kind to the back.

Does anyone else think they threw Raja a pity win this episode? I found her speech to be horrible and not funny at all yet the judges thought it was hilarious. Her runway was good though so maybe that made up for it?

[quote]Does anyone else think they threw Raja a pity win this episode?

Seems that way, but I'm not mad at it. She should've been in the top for the design challenge, but ended up getting fucked. Jinkx and Viv should've been the top two this week. It seems this season has been designed to let each of them get their moment, which I kind of like. They are all winners, and are being treated with that level of dignity.

People are saying Raja threw the lip sync so she wouldn’t have to block anyone, I’m not sure, maybe she was just a bit shit at that song, as she says she a lounge singer not a pop star. Great runway thou, and Jaidas runway, my god gorgeous.

I like Trinity’s runway when she goes a little more “simple”…so many of her looks have a “everything but the kitchen sink” flair.

Monet is often a bit sketch on the runway, but her birdcage look this week was beautiful.

I would love it if they kept this format for the regular shows, so we can see the development and get the personalities of all the queens- it would give them more exposure and fans too.

I kind of agree r339, but let's face it, every regular season has a few queens that need to be gotten rid of as soon as possible.

That's true, r340- I AM FROM CHICAAAGOOOO

I agree but I think people would get bored over time. There's a reason most entertainment uses formulas to appeal to the least common denominator.

Drag Race was about creativity at first. It featured parodies of ANTM modeling challenges, more clothing design challenges, public improv challenges out on the streets with passersby, etc. Over the years, it has steadily eradicated the most interesting and creative challenges with a predictable formula and especially with paint-by-numbers choreographed lipsync numbers. We know favorites often will look like pretty young women and do a lot of splits. Not things that Jinkx can do. There are exceptions like Willow but even so, the show seems to be headed generally in the direction of more formula and more dilution of creative production design.

The elimination formula for this season is adapted from Raven's makeup show, where they got points that counted toward the finale and one contestant was blocked and silenced every week so that they could watch but not participate.

It is a better way to watch. And sticking with this formula would force them to cast fewer contestants and therefore less filler.

As the series has gone on, I've found the first many episodes of each season to be disorienting because there are too many contestants to register more than a few of them, I don't care who gets eliminated, and lately they've been doing that three-looks-each runway with 15 contestants, which is just overwhelming.

Constantly adjusting the sails has kept the franchise going through the oversaturation of seasons and so they certainly would be wise to keep changing. Snatch Game is usually unwatchably bad and I don't buy the hype about it. I am really, really sick of the choreographed 'Rusicals.' I don't care if they wear green or take off their wigs, but I ODd on watching contestants do the splits around 2015. It's not impressive when it is the one outstanding trick every single person can do. Old MacDonald was inspired as a bizarro song choice and the performances were memorable without a single gymnastic flip or drop or backhand spring or split. I sent the video of it to several people who don't watch the show and all replied with something like "I have no idea what the hell I just watched, but it was fantastic/mesmerizing/fascinating." More of that, less of the pretty girls doing splits and Britney dancing.

Okay eliminate half and keep the 7 until the end.

I don't think most top 7s could handle it, especially with the rise of the instagram cosplay queens with no talent, save wearing clothes they did not pay for.

They *could* repeat this format without being totally redundant if they do a season of first-eliminated contestants. Lots of people have asked for such a season, and it would be interesting to see all of them for the duration of a season. Most contestants are eliminated first because of bad luck, not generally because they're definitely going to prove to be the worst every week.

I also wouldn't mind an all runner-up season using the same formula they are using this season. One caveat - NO fucking Kandy Muse.

No Kandy Muse for sure, that smug behemoth.

Monet’s look was by far the best ever seen on her. But let’s be clear, it’s never happened before and won’t happen again.

I find all this talk about a First Outs season so bizarre. Vangies are outliers. People go home first for a reason. If you want to watch a terrible season with shit drag queens, just watch Drag Race Down Under.

Exactly. And Vangie came back and that was more than enough of her. He's a cute boy, showing his ass on some other reality show now. Something like Jersey Shore.

It's like Ru's fondness for Pork Chop. It's respect for him being older than Ru. But we ain't missing out on Pork Chop's genius talents. Or Kelly Mantle. Or Penny Tration. Magnolia Crawford, June Jambalaya? Yikes.

There are still lots of alumni worthy of an all stars season though. Laganga, Willem, Jessica Wilde, Yuhua, Max, Miss Fame (will never happen) Pearl, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Nina Bonina, Denali, Gigi Goode, The Widow Von'Du, Bosco, Daya Betty, Kerri Colby, Jasmine, Angeria, Kameron Michaels, Lady Campen, Naomi Smalls....

Not all that worthy, but the well ain't dry for many more seasons to come.

stay home jujubee, please

R349 I don't think that's necessarily true. I would bet there's more consistentcy among those who are voted out third or fifth than there is to those who are voted out first.

Especially when the cast is large at the beginning, the first person eliminated seems rather arbitrary. Usually, a half dozen or so perform poorly or don't stand out. Oftentimes, only two or three stand out to me until the cast is down to eight or so and I can wrap my brain around who is who. Then, going back and watching from the beginning, oftentimes the winner stands out at the beginning but just as often, finalists are lost in the mix and one or two who didn't make it very far stand out.

* yeah i remembered - Naomi Smalls has already been back.

Kameron Michaels had a mini-muscle meltdown when he returned as a lip sync assassin on All Stars 6.

What was that about r353?

This show is past its expiration date.

If De Santis gets his way then Drag shows will be illegal for underaged kids, so no Drag Race in Florida. If he wins the 2024 Election then no drag shows in the country.

^then don't they just need to keep kids out of drag shows to comply with a "no kids at drag shows" rule?

Problem solved

R357, they’re just being hysterical. Drag shows won’t be outlawed for adults and any gay adult who isn’t a complete idiot should be boycotting the school shows as well.

We need to take a note from how terribly the trans community botched their civil rights movement. When you pull shit like this, you’re poking a dangerous bear. And the media will not protect the gay community in the way that they have the trans.

Not to derail, but Sasha 100% deserved to win her season.

Glad I'm not the only one who is indifferent to Monet.

Really really hope Jinx has some hidden lip synch skills for the finale so she can win.

I think Sasha is a deserving winner, too.

And I like Shea a lot and think Shea deserved to win her all-stars season.

The *only* thing I ever saw/heard Shea do that made me dislike her was the constant whining of the 'trauma' of being denied the win during her original season. Every single contestant who has ever been on the show could claim the same trauma. Yet it was Shea's whole thing on all stars, and all Shea's competitors and even RuPaul and Michelle heaped sympathy on her as if it were some kind of great injustice. I don't get that at all. She was the runner up. Get the fuck over it.

Otherwise, I like Shea.

That same sort of entitled attitude did totally ruin Latrice for me, though. Latrice spent her whole all-stars season campaigning and whining about how she is the most beloved of all drag queens and therefore deserves X, Y and Z, and the other contestants and judges also went along with that storyline. I found it incredibly annoying. Latrice was fine in her first season but never stood out to me as a favorite, and the entitlement she later showed put her toward the bottom of my list.

Sasha was boring.

I agree about Latrice. I liked her a lot before that most beloved bull shit.

By the end of All Stars 5, I was completely over Shea's "trauma" over the damn rose petals. There were what, 8 episodes that season? She mentioned the rose petals in at least half of those episodes.

Let's face it, Shea has always been an envelope pusher on the POC rights. If you listen carefully to her, every episode contains some nugget of social justice for blacks. While I admire this in concept, the way she shoe horns some of this in makes me suspect that her 'trauma' over the rose petals was more because Sasha was WHITE. If a black queen had beat her to the crown, we would not hear of such trauma.

R364 tbh I’m not even sure that stuff is sincere either, I just find her a bit phoney. like the way she claimed her runway in the last episode was inspired by her grandmother gardening and was a love letter to older black women etc etc

when actually it’s from a Robert Wun collection and she just borrowed it

The Vivienne is playing the game really badly by saying she would have blocked Jinkx if she could have. First, Jinkx is pretty beloved so it just feels sleazy, and had she not said anything, Jinkx probably wouldn't have blocked her.

Wow.

See, I honestly thought maybe her grandma wore layers in crazy colors or something, but it's fully just a designer dress. So...I guess the hat justified saying it was a "tribute"...??

I hate it when people do that. It's lying. Why lie?

The BS about the petals was definitely annoying. As was Latrice expecting a crown, but seemingly being fine with Manilla getting sent home unfairly. Dude, Manilla had your back 200% and was openly rooting for you and emotional about the thought of you getting booted...but she gets the boot and you're like "meh"? Huh.

I think some of the most annoying contestants ever were Gotmik (super fake and always reading the room and playing a part), Silky (obnoxious to cover for her overall lack of skills and not understanding basic boundaries) and Valentina/Cracker (entitled, again).

Monet is lucky she won that year, let's be honest. Trixie cops to her loophole win and just works hard at being better. Monet just acts like the world adores her and....yeah not quite.

But still...enjoying this season.

I'm souring on Yvie this time too, with the clearly forced laughing in the interviews.

Youse guys take this men-in-dresses contest so seriously.

Jinkx makes up narratives about everthing. Why can't Shea? Shea probably saw the dress and was reminded of a gardening outfit, which reminded her of her grandmother, and she thought, oh, that's it, I'll wear that outfit as a mod nod to Grandma, and I'll play a gardener!

What would be more authentic about her reference for the dress if she hadn't bought the dress? I don't get that. Even if she had cut the fabric and sewn it herself, she wouldn't have been creating Frankenstein's monster of her grandmother anymore than she did by buying a dress and trying to embody some of the spirit of her grandmother.

It's bizarre to me that Drag Race began as a spoof of ANTM and Project Runway, and then became a serious profession-making competition for contestants based on intentionally stupid, foolish and campy assignments, and then viewers have become as aggressively opinionated about the contestants as they are about Ukraine and Russia.

I understand why the contestants take it seriously for the prize money and to get work offscreen, but viewers who take the show so seriously baffle me. Think about it. It's crossdressers acting like fools to entertain adults. It's not that serious.

I think you take it all very seriously, r368.

I haven't seen someone who doesn't take it seriously write such a Treatise. Perhaps you'd prefer the Drag Race threads on reddit, where everyone takes it as seriously as you do.

I don't like Shea as much as most of the rest of the cast because she bores me, and she got fat so she doesn't look as good in clothes, which was her one trick.

Jinkz is incredibly talented.

A drag queen imitating Judy Garland?

Groundbreaking.

Doing it well? Now, THAT'S groundbreaking.

A queen doing Judy.

Gee, THAT'S never been done before.

I demand the return of Joslyn Fox.

womp womp

Muthafucking jazz hands.

Monet is on the cover of Vogue.

Or is this a joke?

That is a joke.

All of them recreated Vogue covers:

How did Raja grow up in Indonesia and end up speaking just like Tim Gunn?

Raja was born in California.

Raja is a California raisin.

Raja was on ANTM as Sutan. He was marvelously bitchy, and cute.

Monet looking as awful as possible on the fake Vogue cover. She needs to just stop.

Monet doesn't look like Vogue material, but wow, that photo of Oprah is the worst photo Oprah has ever taken—and it was taken by Vogue!

Does Anna Wintour hate Oprah Winfrey for some reason?

The Vogue covers have been just awful for about a year now.

No matter how hard Monet tries, her armpits always look hairy.

No matter how hard Monet tries SHE LOOKS LIKE AN UGLY MAN.

R380 I don’t mean to sound like an elder gay (‘MARY!’ Me if you must), but my main takeaway from looking at those is how much more beautiful and artistic vogue covers used to be.

I mean Monet’s is a good recreation, but the original is just so bland and boring, I’d never guess it was vogue if the title were removed

Yeah, Raja kind of got screwed over in a way since Raja is barely recognizable from the cover, but on the other hand, Raja got an artful and lovely cover instead of a clunky snapshot in a costume.

Is that tonight's challenge, recreating Vogue covers? Too bad they didn't save that for a regular season with the queens who don't do anything but wear clothes and pose.

I really liked Raja’s cover, Shea’s is low key brilliant, and even Jinkx pulled it off.

I like Yvie’s. She’s finally embracing glamour.

I think the only dud is Monet’s cover, which doesn’t surprise me. I find Monet charming as a guy, but drag never feels like it’s doing anything to help Monet “find her light”. If anything, it’s the opposite - she feels low vibrational in vibe in a way she doesn’t as her boy self.

You nailed it, R395: Monet’s soda loses all of its fizz as soon as she gets into drag, whereas the opposite happens to Jinkxx.

I find Shea so likable and genuine. I don't see why people call her fake or calculating or whatever. I think she's an authentic person and also just so much of a polished professional that she doesn't have that rough-around-the-edges underdog charm people tend to like a lot. Her drag also doesn't have much edge. She has great visual concepts, but maybe because they're so seamlessly executed, they don't seem innovative or something?

Jinkx really seems impossible not to root for. She has talents that far exceed everyone else's, but she's also a huyuuuuge mess out of drag, and so every week we get the emotional satisfaction of a full makeover success by the time she performs in drag.

Shea is polished in and out of drag, and she carries herself with the same kind of confidence in and out of drag. Jinkx walks around the workroom like a velociraptor talking to herself and snarling and snorting and laughing like a completely crazy person and it's so entertaining. She probably scared people when she was a janitor and delighted in it.

I just found out that the house Jinx bought in Portland is 2 houses down from mine. (I currently have a tenant and am living elsewhere). If I ever move back, I am inviting that bitch to cocktails.

Jinkx would make a great Endora.

Jinkx Monsoon is just friggin' likeable. I really would like to see her have her own show.

Jinxx and Viv trading blocks is incredibly bad strategy.

Yeah, I prefer the blocking approach because everyone will stay through to the end, but I don't like it ultimately. RuPaul should be the one to block someone instead of them doing it to one another. During some seasons, ut may be done more fairly than others, but this one is rather annoyingly petty. I feel like Vivienne is throwing off the balance of season with her approach to everything. She's far from the greatest villain of the show's run, but she's become 'the villian' for me because of her pettiness.

She was personally offended when she was blocked. Someone had to be blocked. She's not the first or the last and everyone else has realized it's to their credit that they were blocked—but Viv seemed pissed and vengeful.

She needlessly said she contemplated blocking Jinkx and in a confessional admitted that was a stupid thing to say. Then Jinkx blocked her and she was angry and wanted to get back at Jinkx.

Vivienne seems to be the only person who wasn't given a memo telling her this is a no-conflict, no-criticism season. She's standing out to me as a hypocritical narcissist. She gleefully blocks someone, then she takes it personally when someone blocks her, then she retaliates against the person who blocked her. Bleh. Big downer for me.

Yes, it makes it more a "game" than a competition. It's why the queens who won during an All-Star season don't really feel as legitimate. I'm not a fan of the blocking either, as I wasn't a fan of the queens voting off other queens. But that's the way it is. Sadly. Still the most entertaining season in years.

It’s not as if Ru can’t interfere with the blocking by introducing some twists if she’s not getting the outcome she wants.

Everyone has won a badge on their own. Yay! Who could have seen that coming?

[quote]It’s not as if Ru can’t interfere with the blocking by introducing some twists if she’s not getting the outcome she wants. [quote]Everyone has won a badge on their own. Yay! Who could have seen that coming?

Ru and the producers can and will interfere if they don't see the show going where they want it to, or if they need to make it interesting. Viv's comment to the group that she wanted block Jinkx was completely contrived, and hence the block wars between them to create a little "friction." I don't believe any of it was organic. And you knew everyone was going to get their chance to shine before the end as well. It's TV. I've enjoyed a lot so far, except this last episode, which seemed forced. It's so much better when it's not.

My GOD Viv looked just like Dolly. I love her and am glad she’s shining. I preferred her old face though.

Shea’s Dolly look was terrible ofc. She’s always a miss for me on the runway, despite me not liking her. Simone did black excellence 300x better and with a far more engaging personality.

I think Shea would have been in the top 2 had it not been for her runway look, which was terrible. (No matter what they said about it!) No one gets criticized in this version, it seems.

I think Monet is the truly petty one. She is ultra competitive and rude about it all... And has zero self awareness.

Viv isn't taking herself nearly as seriously.

Monet, pretty?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA

Oh, you said petty. Never mind.

Actually R411, I did mistype "pretty" at first, and corrected just before I hit post. LOL.

You found me in the upside down.

I was so embarrassed, but I guess I just read your real intentions. I needed the laughs, the one at myself, too.

Viv came off very unpleasant in this episode. I had been warming up to her, but this one put a stop to it. She foolishly blocked Jinkx in an emotional reaction rather than really thinking about it. I love Jaida, but I would have blocked her because she got the free pin, hasn’t been blocked, and is doing well.

I predict the twist will be at the end. Where the queens can use their stars as "VOTES" for the winner of the final two. So the blocking will be remembered.

It's a great season. Monet may not be pretty, but that man has beautiful skin and looks sexy in and out of drag. The VIV looked like a full time Dolly Parton impersonator!!

Jaida is the most beloved by the group. Trinity is actually the most consistent, funniest and best all round contestant.

Raja is .....creative. Since when is he not up to being part of an alliance? Raja is the OG mean girl Heather and one of the nastiest players EVER. He's calmed the fuck down and grown old. T-Drop.

Shea is fading in the challenges AND surprisingly on the runway too?!

Yvie is fucking irritating. He's a great lip syncer and performer who can't win a challenge to remind us.

I love the coming attractions when Jinkx says to Viv, while working on a sewing challenge, "Aren't you sorry you blocked me now!?"

I know I am in the minority, but Jinkx is not my favorite to win. She is enormously talented, but not without considerable weaknesses. It's not even so much her runway looks, anymore. She reminds me of Bianca. They take up a lot of air. Better than the rest at a lot of things. But a lot of what they do is very old fashioned. Jinkx seems to have some kind of disordered personality. She displays no warmth, ever. Self pity - yes.

I am liking The ViV, Trinity, Jaida and Monet more.

I really can't stand Yvie Oddly.

Yvie to me has an endearing quality. She definitely has her own drag niche, but she’s not the best or most well rounded of the group.

[quote] She’s always a miss for me on the runway, despite me not liking her.

Someone explain the logic of this sentence.

If Yvie stopped making those awful faces on the runway she'd be less annoying.

Yvie has a bit of a Sasha Velour thing going on—stop telling us you're weird (smart), just show us that you're weird (smart) and let it speak for itself.

R422 Or Latrice telling us as often as she could that she is everyone's favorite and can't be eliminated because fans of the show would be mad. That totally turned me off to her, 100%.

But I feel like both Latrice and Sasha were probably set up for that by the producers and maybe RuPaul himself. Everyone seems to have one characteristic that is primarily attributed to them for the sake of the show's story and I suspect the producers probably say or strongly imply, 'Latrice, you're America's favorite drag queen. All the surveys show people love you more than anyone else. Play that up. You have every right to brag that you're America's favorite," and then they probably tell the other castmates so that they will bring it up and it becomes the primary character sketch.

Jinkx was "the poor outcast with narcolepsy" the first time around and then in the intervening years proved to be a brillaint talent and now has been reframed as the unbeatable eccentric brilliant talent.

Katya is "the crazy contortionist with an anxiety disorder who is in recovery," and that's how she always described herself in confessional interviews but off the show that stuff never comes up.

I hate Yvie's exaggerated laugh in the confessionals. She's always nervously filling space. It's a shame because when she's in the zone she's unique and compelling.

I am so tired of the sticking out of the tongues. I will never like Miley Cyrus because of her help in popularizing it for grown people.

I don't laugh 'heartily' like Yvie, more of a subtle huff, but I have a tic of laughing in the way she does after I say things. It's not like I am laughing at my own jokes or anything. I don't really know why I do it—some kind of nervous emphasis or something, and it annoys me. I imagine it annoys others or they find it strange. But it's just part of how I speak.

I also inherited a tic that my father has of answering questions with "Uhhhhhhhhh," followed by what I have to say. It is SO annoying to me but I can't not do it. It's part of how I process information. I have thought about taking broadcasting or elocution lessons just to address this.

I feel like Yvie's laugh is an organic part of Yvie and not performative. It may even annoy her. But on the other hand, it's one of those things like a crooked tooth that is so distinctive that it is a distraction from someone's beauty, but at the same time, if you have known someone for a long time and they 'fix' their smile, you'll feel kind of disappointed that they 'corrected' something that was unique and set them apart from everyone else. (That comes to mind because I love Tori Amos and she had wildly jagged teeth unlike anyone I've seen before, and you obviously fixate on a singer's mouth when they sing. I used to watch her and sometimes thought...wow...those teeth...and then because of extreme jaw pain, she had to have major oral surgery in her fifties and she 'fixed' her teeth cosmetically, making a 'perfect' smile, and it kind of erased a really distinctive part of her personality.)

Would Yvie be Yvie without the annoying chortle?

I blame the producers/editors more than Yvie, because they are editing in her laugh even when it's clear it's not actually happening in the moment, in the same way that they sometimes do for RuPaul.

I will probably never like Miley Cyrus because every part of her is obnoxious and she seems totally vapid. But I appreciate her vocal talent. She is very talented.

Kelly Clarkson is obnoxious, too, in a way I find very similar to Miley, but Kelly seems thoughtful and kind and interesting and so I am inclined to like her a lot and accept that she is grating.

RuPaul's laugh gives life to the show. It's not often a real laugh but RuPaul is *so* smart about what makes entertainment entertaining, and most of the challenges, from the fake commercials to the dance rehearsals to especially Snatch Game would be unwatchably unengaging without RuPaul's laugh adding life and punctuating. It works like a musical score. I'm sure this comment will annoy a lot of people who don't like RuPaul, but I think RuPaul is incredibly intelligent about entertainment.

Years ago, I made my mom watch Detox's 'HEROIN' commercial and she looked so pissed and confused while she was watching it until RuPaul's laugh came in and then my mom subconsciously took the cue and cracked up. I think she didn't 'get' the camp aspect of it at all until that obnoxious laugh cued her in that it is meant to be totally absurd. She laughed for a long time and then asked me to replay it a couple of times, and I honestly think RuPaul's laugh is a major part of the show's success. Next time you watch an episode, pay attention to how it punctuates scenes and think about how flat those scenes would be if it were missing.

Oh, I definitely agree with you R429! Ru's laugh is a crucial ingredient, and your post articulates why.

I just think the producers miscalculated in thinking they could treat Yvie's laugh the same way, in terms of liberally editing it in, but it's alienating rather than inviting.

Not to derail… but anyone watching Trixie Motel? Trixie is my all time fave, and I’m loving her motel.

Carry on.

I've been watching motel too. Also an Uhnnnhh (sp?) fan...

It's a decent show. Not sure it's wise to say television that your hubby needed a project and that's why you needed a 2 million motel. Trixie keeps framing it as a benevolent gift to her man....which strikes me as unwise.

A) she's getting a free project manager and it is clearly all about her tastes and persona....not his. So...how is this a gift? If they break up is he going to run his exes motel..?!

B) Shes telling the world he doesn't have his own life/career. "He's been on the sidelines sooooo looooong...!" isn't how I would phrase it on camera, however well-intended.

I find the room designs great for a photo shoot but scary to contemplate being surrounded by. Hearts everywhere? Flamingos everywhere? No thank you.

I can't help but feel this is a way to fleece fans. No ordinary person would stay in place that wild. And Im getting the room prices won't be budget. Trixie says she charges 300$ for a meet n greet!!

She's telling people she's barely renovating a 70 year old building, putting money into surface-level changes...and then going to charge them HOTEL prices.

That irks me a bit.

I still like her and respect the hustle but...yeah.

Betting*

SO many typos...sigh.

[quote]Flamingos everywhere?

A sentiment EVERY Datalounger should embrace with welcoming, loving arms!

Viva La VIV.

Trinity Taylor, before all the 'tucks.'

R435 She looks like Michelle Visage.

R436 Cute little twink.

I completely agree R429.

[quote] A) she's getting a free project manager and it is clearly all about her tastes and persona....not his. So...how is this a gift? If they break up is he going to run his exes motel..?!

Trixie is the brand. No one cares about her bland husband’s taste.

[quote] B) Shes telling the world he doesn't have his own life/career. "He's been on the sidelines sooooo looooong...!" isn't how I would phrase it on camera, however well-intended.

And you’re not a world famous and successful drag queen. You have no idea about they dynamics of their relationship. What’s your point?

Trixie is a bore. And not really a drag queen. The bald dude who plays her knows how to make money off tween girls and old white gays though.

Trixie is more like Dame Edna than a Drag Queen. An obnoxious persona. Quick and obvious - but not as funny. Trixie hides his true mean spirit behind a playful mask. Snarknado.

Bianca hides her real warm spirit behind an ugly mask. Comedy.

Truxie is funny to me. I never saw her off Drag Race between her season and the all stars season she was on and I couldn't imagine what the appeal was so to many people. I figured it was just the Dolly Parton-esque country-folk songs. She was not good on RPDR.

Then I saw her reviewing Netflix shows with Katya. I have always loved Katya, and paired together, Katya is practically the straight man who sets up jokes and Trixie hits them home most of the time. Trixie has a sharp and quick wit—certainly nowhere near the level of Joan Rivers but in the same ballpark. It does have a snarky edge but like Joan, who was mean, I am impressed that she just consistently has something witty to say about everything as it comes. Her humor is a mixture of critical and absurd in a way that I never would have thought of, and that's the appeal.

I love Bianca because of Bianca's Drag Race performances. I remember her as both funny and warm, but I've seen her on her own doing standup and found the comedy to be rather flat. Lots of, "You, Sir!" insult callouts to the audience and old-fashioned joke styles.

I think preferences probably come down to style. Bianca seems like a rehearsed comedian who has a 'rolodex' of jokes that have been focus tested at the ready, and it feels very performative (which is fine—it is!), whereas Trixie just seems like a quick wit who improvised funny, cutting comments in realtime conversations.

I know people here dislike him, but I have always loved Bob, and Bob is funny to me in a different way. He's not a one-liner machine and he's not an absurdist like Trixie is and he's not really mean like either Bianca or Trixie is. He's casually funny to me as a personality in general. I just watched a couple of Pit Stop shows with him and I think he is a good host and I guess his 'comedy' is maintaining a feeling of levity and forward movement. He seems affable and smart with a good sense of humor even if he's not a polished comedian.

As usual, Jinkx really takes the cake for me in this regard, I guess because she pulls obscure, always-welcome impressions, has a quick wit with smart observations and also an absurdist perspective, so it all adds up to bewildering performance in and out of celebrity impressions with regular surprise moments. I find her so much more roundly entertaining and funny in a silly way than Bianca, whose loud, brash old-fashioned standup schtick gets old for me.

Bob is not funny. Ever.

I agree with r442, and might add that Monet is a poor imitation of Bob. She never would have won All-stars except there hadn't been a POC winner, and so she ended up tying with Trinity.

Raja has always been at the crossroads of Rosalind Russell and Salvador Dali with her “eye’ theme. Her choices feel prudent.

I do not care for the Sutan in his role as the Raja. Don't believe it either. Ask around.

Trixie is very good when doing solo YouTube videos (well, David is there too). The Katya vids for Netflix are also top quality. Motel is hit or miss. Some things feel very forced. I'm not that impressed by her drag queen things.

Another helping of the dish, R446, please and thank you.

PS: are you Raven?

Ask around? LMAO.

Ok KWEEN, at R446.

Is that like the Q-Tards telling me to 'do my research'?

^ who this ANCIENT white, DL full time poster, shut-in FAG, calling THIS man - still playing in the game and living in the real world - a KWEEN? ^

What kind of old whitey timer types the word KWEEN?

Does anyone have any interesting tidbits about this season, or is everything locked down as tight as Ru and Trinity's faces?

Jinkx - Top talent, leads at everything except attire

Trinity - Best all around

Shea - Most polished

Yvie - Most full of surprises

Raja - Rock star

Jaida - Shiniest

Monet - Memorable from that one time she pretended she was going to drop into splits and then defied expectations and then dropped into splits a minute later, and also Minibob

The Viv

I wouldn’t say Shea was most polished. She was the only up there with her dick hanging out on the runway.

Raja's outfit was terrible this week.

[quote]I know people here dislike him, but I have always loved Bob, and Bob is funny to me in a different way. He's not a one-liner machine and he's not an absurdist like Trixie is and he's not really mean like either Bianca or Trixie is. He's casually funny to me as a personality in general.

Bob and Thorgy have great chemistry on [italic]Purse First Impressions.[/italic]

Another episode another SHITTY SHEA look.

She made like one ruffle, threw on some tights, tied some leftover fabric over her head, and “wow!” lol Always and forever overrated

Right too 2 winners. Loved Monet’s look too. Wish Ru would let Zaldy judge for once since he does all her dresses! 🇵🇭 💃🏻

The best design challenge ever. And they gave us time with them while they went through the creative process. Trinity is AMAZING. And Jaida was gorgeous - that dress was some kind of Bob Mackie perfection for her body and SKIN. They gave them beautiful fabrics to work with and everyone did well. I loved Yvie's look too - orange and pink and fushia - her wig and makeup - the silhouette of the pants and the delicate bustier - for once everything was right on her and for her.

Raja's look, like his attitude, was the worst. Shea was chic, but you can tell he ran out of time.

It was the right TWO winners. It was the best lip sync of the season TOO - finally on fire. I thought Jaida is gonna take this - but Trinity was just that little bit more emotive and precise. ( and accidentally funny) Great song by the great Jessie J!!

Jinkx should have thanked someone for helping her make that damn impressive bustier and panty. But she knew she wasn't going to win. Probably smart to keep her mouth shut.

Trinity proves like she did on her other seasons that he's a hard edged gay guy but a fair Drag Race player and good friend to everyone he likes. Monet wanted one of them to block Jinkx again and Trinity said - no Jinkx has been blocked enough.

What Trinity made in less than 30 hours is hard to believe. And he's funny. Wins lip syncs. Helps others. Great hair and makeup. Pageantry with an open mind. I like that bitch.

Jinkx and Trinity and Jaida for the final three.

The ViV is also very good and polished and amazing looking - but I don't really like the guy, or gal.

Raja is still Sutan. That's not a compliment.

Betsey Johnson is made of parchment paper and pipe cleaners - but she can do the splits at 79! Perfect judge for this assignment. She had a blast.

This was a great episode. Some will say it was boring. The same people who complain that they never have design challenges on other seasons of RPDR. These legendary legends were given great inspirations and the very best materials. None of them came without skills.

How cool would it be if Trinity or Jaida won this? (Who made Jinkx second outfit?)

Raja is the pity fuck of the season. Deserves to be included - but would have been first to be eliminated in the usual format.

Shea has the best ethnic POC nose job I have seen. The cheeks are a bit much - but he's a handsome man.

Trinity's bio mother died of AIDS and then he quit high school to nurse his guardian grandmother. Tough bitch. Great Drag Queen.

I hate that style of lip sync Jaida does..when they really don’t know the words so they just open their mouths big and open and close.

No matter what Shea does to her face, she'll still have those little beady eyes. And yes, the right 2 won this week.

Trinity is really showing up this season and is making a VERY strong case for her win. Plus all the queens seem to love her and she helps others in the workroom. She was second only to Jinkx in Snatch Game, and has won both design challenges. She’s consistently funny and is a good to excellent lip syncer. It’s Jinkx and Trinity at this point. I’d like to see Jinxk, Trinity, Jaida, and Vivienne in the final.

Jinx's look was great. Really proud of her.

Jaida and Trinity were terrific.

Monet got too much praise for the bodysuit.

Do women ever wear bodysuits or is it a specifically drag queen thing? They seem to be women's bathing suits...?

some women do sometimes but something is always worn over it, you wouldn't know they were wearing one.

Yvie is the trade of the season. He's such a cute boy out od drag.

Yvie was handsome with the hat.

Not as handsome as his real-life-dad.

But more handsome than the dumpster "boy" looks of most queens on RPDR.

Jinkx looks like Uncle Fester. A hideous fucking fright. Sometimes Drag really does give a gay man his LIFE. Jinkx would never succeed as a non drag performer.

The only thing that Monet wears are bodysuits. It’s so annoying. It’s why she always looks like A MAN.

How bizarre.

I never knew such things exist.

BoB did the same talentless shit - except he bought his bodysuits from Amazon. He came to Drag Race with one sequined short jacket - for the grand finale!!! a few bodysuits and tights. Two bad wigs and some black pumps. Blue eyeshadow and some off brand off color RED lipstick. BoB remains THE worst winner EVER.

Monet is ok with me - because she's honest that she buys her drag and needs designers. The reason non sewers make bodysuits should be elemental. It is stretch patterned fabric that requires two identical pieces sewn or glued together. A front and and back. Yes there is more than one seam required. Bianca or Trinity could make one in less than 8 minutes. Literally. Always looks like it fits well - because it's a patterned stretch fabric bodysuit!!

Shea bothers me because she strives to look like Miss Fame or Symone and his face and build are just not right for that. But he's so good at what he does. He should admit he's more of a brick than a runway model.

BoB also has a wig maker, full time makeup artist and designers to make him more closely resemble a Drag Race Winner now that he has money. So does Jinkx. At least Monet has some personal style, even if her skills are basic. Monet is much more talented than BoB at everything.

What do you think a male broadway dancer is wearing as a tight shirt in tight pants, R470?

The real glamour pusses are not represented.

Trinity and Jaida are pretty glamorous. Trinity wore one of the top 3 best dresses in Drag Race History. According to Ru himself. Not during critiques either.

Jaida looks gorgeous in clothes. She makes most of her own too. What she made this week might seem all the fabric - but no. That bitch knows her body and her skin tone and how to sew and DESIGN. That's the difference. Her black Bridal look was so stunning on her season. Someone on this thread doesn't like ANY of the black contestants except for ugly BoB.

Monet and Shea wear big name expensive designer stuff. And it doesn't always look like it.

Jinkx doesn't even try to be fashion - but she had some very expensive Hello Dolly saloon girl dresses made for All Stars 7. And for a fat dude - he corsets into a great shape. It's in the construction of his outfits. Because we can SEE the difference when she wears her dirty diapers to lip sync in. I don't see how Jinkx can win this season in a lip sync lollapalooza? They will find a way to rig it for her, or hopefully Trinity or Jaida will win. They deserve it as much.

R474, I forgot who said it in the most recent episode, but when Jinkx came down the runway in a can can outfit, one of the judges said "and it's back to the barroom again"...

475 saloon again you mean dear

Spoiler alert for this weeks episode…. Oh Trinty, honey, imagine being in charge of an acting challenge and giving Jinnx a minor role, ffs, what a waste. And she was so focussed on her alliance with Monet that she even gave herself a tiny role that was never going to win. Missed opportunity all round. Viv was good though, but not that fucking good, Jesus Ross Matthews wet her knickers with excitement.

As long as Jinkx didn't win the challenge - then Trinity's strategy paid off. Jaida or Trinity are going to win the CROWN. They can't fix the lip sync for your life song for Jinkx to win again like they did in season 5. Alaska and Willem spilled the tea he he about that years ago.

Jinkx can't beat Trinity, Jaida, Yvie or Monet in a lip sync lollapalooza. I enjoy Jinkx - but I don't really like her drag. And like BoB - she amuses mostly herself.

[quote]I enjoy Jinkx - but I don't really like her drag.

Perhaps you could book a room at her AirBNB and leave a nasty note written in your own feces on the pillow when you leave.

^ Scat Troll = U know who. ^

I love Jinkx. She needs to be on tv in something.

I adore Raja but I don't see anything about this week's performance that merited the credit he got. Nothing at all. Even in Untucked, the contestants gave credit to Vivienne, Monet, Jinkx, and were like, oh, you were there, too, Raja.

Yeah I think Raja got a pity win. Jinx is just excellent to and so funny. I hope she pulls something out of the bag for a the lip sync battle. I think it’s a bit shady that Alaska said they fixed it for her to win with that song against Detox. She was brilliant. Trinity is also great this season, so great full for her talking heads even if she doesn’t win.

A Drag Queen's Dream: Madonna performs with BoB, Violet and Laganga is there somewhere too. Bob is out of breath after 3 steps - but he's having the time of his life! Madonna hugs him and says I LOVE You. Violet is a gorgeous vixen, as always. Laganga said they had 2 x 12 hour days of rehearsal, in full drag, with corsets. OUCH.

Happy Pride

Only The ViV and Monet shone in this dumb challenge. Christmas in July.

My two favorite performances this week actually were Evie and Shea, two that are rarely on my list. I loved that Shea just underplayed everyone. I thought Viv was way over the top and not funny.

Madonna: Those shoes are NOT a grandmother's friend.

I thought Yvie should have won for being able to go through the maxi challenge without… being Yvie. I thought Raja kinda sucked in the maxi challenge. I think she won because of her runway.

Which one of Madonna's spawn has a spawn?

My money is on the fat girl.

The fat girl was BoB.

Raja was the worst one in the sketch, what the hell.

Raja was the very worst one in the sketch and NOT even the best on the runway. Shenanigans.

This should have been Shea, The ViV or Yvies win. No other contenders.

Jinkx was actually BAD in the challenge. Not all her characters work.

Glad to see people saw the same performances I did. Jinkx is my favorite, and Raja after Jinkx overall. But in this one, no, Raja just touched the corner of his mouth, and that is a little gag that has been used throughout Drag Race at least a dozen times. Jinkx deserves to win the season just for being a superior performance artist and entity. I'd be happy for Raja to be the runner up just because I like Raja so much and Raja has proved this season to be really witty, which I didn't expect, but it's patronizing and confusing to fake merit wins that weren't earned.

Now that I've written that and I am thinking about it, Trinity really deserves to be the runner up—and it's a close second, incredibly, behind Jinkx. Trinity is kind of forgettable when thinking of ranking them for some reason, but Trinity always stands out and also seems sweet and professional. Someone mentioned that Trinity dropping out of high school to care for her dying grandmother is in character in a way that comes through in the workroom, and I agree, and it's endearing. She's also really funny—the Leslie Jordan imitation was A+—and has excellent looks. She can even dance.

I recently rewatched Shea's prior seasons and was struck by how outstanding Shea always has been, and so I expected Shea to be a frontrunner here, but she is kind of fading into the background at this point.

I like all of them a lot. I don't see either Yvie or Jaida as winners among this group, though. Yvie has charisma and nerve and is proving to have a lot of talents in abundance but she just seems too specifically Halloweenish to represent 'the queen of all queens,' and giving Jaida the title would feel kind of like making Tyra Sanchez a season winner felt—just giving everything to someone for being pretty while they're surrounded by a huge abundance of talent. It would feel wrong. Jaida is totally lovable unlike Tyra, but I kind of envision Jaida as being like a vase of pink roses, whereas Yvie is a venus flytrap, Raja is some single elegant calla lily that commands attention or something, and Jinkx is five times larger than any other, a huge bouquet of wild clashing colors and forms that keeps you from really noticing any of the others, even if they'd all command your attention if they were alone in a room.

Jinkx really got the shaft this episode. It's bad enough she keeps getting blocked, but when she had a chance for another star, they gave her the worst part. I would have loved to see what she would have done with Viv's role. I know it would have been a hell of a lot better.

Or Monet’s role R494, which was unbearable to watch. This cast needs to be careful, it feels like Jinxk is being ganged up on again this season, at least that’s what’s coming across on TV.

I can really feel the length of the episodes. I get that it's because they don't have any real commercial breaks, but a full hour is more than most of these episodes deserve.

I also hate how all the critiques are flowery and positive. It makes it all rather boring. Some of them deserve to be critiqued negatively! There's no tension.

Yes, I was just going to write that the lack of critiques is really annoying after a while. And while it's frustrating to watch what's happening to Jinkx, in the end, Ru will make sure she's in the top four, and it will be hard not to crown her at that point.

[quote]I can really feel the length

Pics please.

[quote]I kind of envision Jaida as being like a vase of pink roses, whereas Yvie is a venus flytrap, Raja is some single elegant calla lily that commands attention or something, and Jinkx is five times larger than any other, a huge bouquet of wild clashing colors and forms that keeps you from really noticing any of the others, even if they'd all command your attention if they were alone in a room.

MARY!!

Peppermint is such a joy and a sweet light on this weeks Pit Stop - she makes even bob seem likeable.

It's Shea and Monet who are out of this gig now. Jaida still has the most stars. Who will join her in the top 4?

I think it will be Jaida, Viv, Jinkx and Trinity. Jinkx for the win.

Trinity or Jaida for the win. Jinkx was the worst in this weeks challenge. Doesn't matter how small the part was - she was BAD. And her runway was the same old hair and silouette, again.

What happened to Jinkx? I checked out for over 5 years and its been more than that since I have seen her. My god the face is so ratchet out of makeup. And he looks puffy like he's on medical treatment. I seem to recall he was fatter but now the body can be corseted and the legs look good. But the face!

The two homeliest & two of the most successful Drag Queens of all time. Jinkx quit drinking a few years ago - and it's all been downhill from there. She's balding and a redhead and never had her nose or teeth done. Got FAT.

Unlike Trixie, Jinkx actually transforms in drag. She explains some of it here.

Tha trade of all seasons: Aquaria.

If you like them looking like a frosted Pop Tart, R505, and I mean the biscuit, not Britney.

I see Aquaria all the time. He's a gorgeous guy. And not just from the neck up.

Why the writers believe they can pen comedy without wit or subversion is a question to dark to ponder.

Viv and Raja were the only choice for winners since they had the biggest roles aside from Shea. Every other character has maybe three lines.

Finally we get to see a real director! One of my biggest pet peeves was how Michelle and Ross would give line readings. She got them to hone and focus their performance into something defined without telling them to do it her way. It’s almost as if the role of a director is to… direct!

R508 You are so right about the directing. We were saying it as we watched. It was refreshing to see them get proper direction.

Maybe I would have enjoyed it if the writing of it wasn’t so horrible. It just wasn’t funny or clever. The girls were are pretty good, but they really couldn’t rise above the material. It makes me wonder what someone like Jinkx thinks of it really when she could probably write something better.

Yvie went on record about it last night. She said the sketch was SHITE. At Roscoes. This is a pretty good one with Yvie, Daya Betty and Willow Pill. They're actually funny and not just drag queen dick joke funny. More truthful than most without totally trashing the franchise. Willow Pill is less impressive with every public display. She's a sick boy who wanted to win. But too sick to do the job. So it comes out as she doesn't care. Yvie is WEARING the orange PANTS.

It was revealed that Yvie was given months more time to prepare for All Stars 7 than her Drag "niece" Willow was for Season 14. Willow was helping Yvie with her looks when she was given the call that she was on Season 14 and to begin filming in a few weeks. Cuz those All Stars had to be given a chance to be much better prepared and SPEND much more money. Schedules to consider and egos to protect. Makes sense and we get to enjoy it. It's no accident that everyone looks so great.

The Pit Stop this week also addressed how dumb the acting sketch was and how much a REAL director helped to improve their performances. A bit.

Thanks for the post, Daya.

The show is suffering from too much candy assing around with endless compliments and too few critiques.

Featuring out extra special guest judge, the A-List director…

Yeah, you hate black people and real black women R513. WE heard it. Janicza is a real director of many projects you wouldn't watch. But many others do.

Finally Drag Race had a real director who gave insightful and instructive direction. The sketch was beyond stupid and Raja was stupidest of all as a 50 year old "bad" girl. YUCK.

Don't blame Janicza Bravo for the endlessly stupid slutty and humorless inside "humor" that Drag Race puts in its challenges. RuPaul belongs in a coffin. The premise was stupid and the writing was MUCH worse.

The A list director is up and coming. She did a great job of treating it as if it were real and as if the queens had some talent to discover and shape. Some of them DID perform as characters instead of camping it up. The show is rotted. But not all the contestants are.

Yvie, Shea, Trinity and Monet did the best scene work. They have talent and they listened. Kudos to Jaida in a small role that she didn't overplay. But the tired frosty cum wipe and eyerolls of old man Raja won the challenge?

This episode was the first overt fuckery of an otherwise enjoyable season. Jinkx was ridiculous and Raja was unfathomable. Both in the sketch and on the runway. The VIV should have won this week - by Drag Race standards.

Does it seem like everyone is just getting ready to leave whenever you show up, R514?

nope

Ah she directed Zola. If she could bring a good performance out of one of the leads (who is a really shitty actress on, "Hit the Floor") and "Lovecraft Country"), then she is a good director.

RuPaul never even called her an A List director. She was great for sure though.

I think it is funny, in general, when Ru announces the extra special guest judge, and it's somebody most folks have never even heard of.

My partner and I often say "who??"

Google the list of guest judges on Drag Race over the years, R519. I don't have to because my mind still works and I have known who all of them were, other than ToovaLOO. It's a very impressive and diverse list.

I know who Tove Lol is. I've seen her in concert.

Yes the list is usually impressive, but sometimes it's an Instagram celeb or some D list person, and I'm surprised R520 that you claim to recall who each and every guest judge was over the last 14 years. I don't believe you.

Here's a start - Lily Tomlin, Debbie Reynolds, Fantasia, Natalie Cole, Kathy Griffin, Rick Foxx, Christina Aguilera, Miley, Gaga, Lizzo, Cloris Leachman, Kesha, Tanya Tucker, Robin, Loni Love, Ariana Grande, Vanessa Hudgens, Wynonna, Bob Mackie, Nikki Minaj, Jackie Collins, Susan Powter, Tori Spelling, Michael Urie......Adam Lambert, Nicole Byer....Zaldy, LaToya Jackson, Vanessa Williams, Shania Twain.....Neil Patrick Harris, Twandie Newton.....Joan Smalls, Jodey Watley, Joan Van Ark, Chaz Bono, Jessica Alba, Dita von Teese, john waters and Olivia Newton John... that cute guy from down under too - off the top of my head.

That's fine. I'm not disagreeing there have been impressive judges.

There have been many D list folks too, which makes it funny that they get the same special treatment. Would you like me to make a list too?

Here's the wiki of judges.

Many many folks on here that most people wouldn't consider celebrities in the slightest. It's not always A List...

Howard Bragman?

Jeffrey Moran?

Gigi Levangie?

Each season there are a few "who?" people and that's hilarious to me. But then again, everyone to you is A list, since you recall each and every one of these folks, R520.

Do what you want with your time R523. Nobody cares. You've already been disproved. You are just trying to cover your ass for not knowing that the director last week was someone important. Maybe you don't know many black performers or talents? No need to be embarrassed. I did not create a list from Wiki - I listed from memory. Go look for more no name judges if you think that proves anything. It's Michelle, Ross and Karson who have no right to judge on that panel. Dumb, dumber & not qualified. All white. Not one wit. No talents.

& Debbie Harry, Courtney Love, Ashanti, Ciara, Tamar Braxton, Cynthia Erivo, Halsey, Audra McDonald and most of the Spice Girls!

Keiynan Lonsdale❤

R501, you’re 50% correct.

I hope that r501 is correct about the final four, but got the winner wrong. Is that half right?

I'm not feeling Jinkx. I think the older viewers like her better. Trinity should win. This is not a legacy award. Based on performances and runway - Trinity should win. And she's funny!

I thought at the beginning of this season that it must have been taped in the UK because some guest judges were Brits I had never heard of, but then the show showed the queens on the studio lot in LA.

I was a fan of RuPaul's and Michelle's podcast (which I learned about here). On it, RuPaul interviewed A-to-?-list celebrities and other people, including some pretty random seeming entertainment executives, people like the director of Grease, etc. He interviewed a few drag queens, Suzanne DePasse, major celebs who were judges on Drag Race, the patently insane Rose McGowan (AMAZING interview that must be heard—it turned into RuPaul doing all he could to make McGowan seem halfway sane and sort of turned into an intervention by an exasperated Ru by the end) and on and on.

The podcast taught me RuPaul has an encyclopedic knowledge of Hollywood history, from the Old Hollywood days to obscure gems from the sixties through today, both the in-front-of-camera talent and writers, producers, directors, cinematographers and makeup artists behind the scenes. Almost all his interviews were really interesting. When he has random-seeming judges (who aren't 'influencers,' who I assume the MTV producers insist on being on the show), I usually assume they are interesting people who RuPaul invited on.

If "charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent" are actual criteria for winning and not just a way of saying CUNT on network TV, then Jinkx has to win.

Even people who don't like her have to admit, if they are honest, that she has the most performance-artist talent of the group, she's charismatic for better or worse, she's got nerve in abundance and will do absolutely anything to entertain, and she's utterly unique.

I like all of the contestants a lot, but Jinkx is the only one who can't possibly have a doppelganger out there.

There may be someone who looks like her but there's no one who looks like her and can sing and do impressions as well as she can. I can see any of the others being competently imitated. Yvie would be very difficult given her contortion abilities due to Ehlers–Danlos syndrome but the faces and personality could be imitated.

That said, Gincques is the clowny kind of campy and RuPaul is the glammy kind of campy. There were a lot of clown drag queens around when RuPaul presented himself as a high fashion model x Suzanne Sugarbaker pageant queen, and RuPaul does seem to have a bias toward "pretty." It's a little hard to imagine him naming someone who looks like Jinkx "the queen of all queens." Most of the other contestants cast on this season are glamorous, not bizarre, and Yvie has even been praised for presenting more glamorously this season. I'm thinking it could be biased more toward a Jaida or Trinity type. I think Trinity deserves to be runner up and could live with Trinity winning, although it would always feel like Jinkx was robbed if she did.

There is a video on YT somewhere where an ex-contestant says how they have to act excited and surprised when they announce the guest judge, no matter if they know them or not.

Jinkx will definitely be a runner-up, but she will get lots of new fans out of this. So will Yvie.

R518. Yes she did. Ru said "You are in the capable hands of an A-List Director" when they were on-set.

R531, they also have to act thrilled when they hear the challenge being described, even if it's not totally clear how it will play out. This part always seems fake. Watch the queens' reactions. They are all acting extra gay and campy and preeny to impress Ru that they are game for anything.

They just end up looking dumb.

What are they supposed to do? Mouth "who the fuck is that?" or growl when they announce the guest judge? Same with the challenges. It's a reality show.

But their reactions are anything but reality...

There is an American reality show where the contestants are real?

I haven't seen that one yet.

Actually the baking show is an excellent example of people showing true self when hearing about the challenges. There is general understood confusion and processing happening in their faces. Nobody seems pressured to pretend the challenges will be invigorating like a fresh Botox treatment is.

The Ru girls have guns to their performative heads though. It's icky to see.

Shea has the uncanny ability to look like absolute SHIT every week while also being 200% humorless ❤️

Can’t wait until they give her a pity star ala Monet next week

Jaida is fantastic. Loved her concept and reveals and she had me laughing. Jinkx was in a class all her own this week. Raja seemed to make that shit up like 4 mins before the camera started rolling lol

And Ben Platt was so EXTRA 💁🏼‍♂️

Monet deserved top 2.

And she won the LSFYL, hands down.

Agree. Julia Sugarbaker was a mashup of after-40 Bette Davis and a Southern black church lady.

[quote]And she won the LSFYL, hands down.

Pity win. Julia Sugarbaker wasn't an angry Black woman in an ugly yellow suit.

That would be Anthony.

I would have had Jinxx and Jaida as the top two.

R543 I said the same thing. That would have been something if only Jinkx got the star this time.

Yes, I agree it should have been Jaida, but I knew they'd never give it to her. So happy Jinkx got her star. She's the only one who has won 4 times. (Yet it's Viv who keeps complaining that she didn't get her 3rd star, even though both Jinkx and Trinity had the same thing happen. And Viv's face when Jinkx won... wow.

All of these episodes feel too damn long! I'm ready to give up, but I've already schlepped this far through the season.

Yeah, Viv is the only one with this attitude. I started out liking her after not so much on the UK season, but now I’m well over her.

I thought Trinity should have been there with Jinkx.

Shea is too busy trying to project "Serious Nubian Princess" she is forgetting to be a fucking drag queen.

I want to rewatch Jinkx's video over and over.

Once again a master class from that lovely wacko.

I hope she wins.

In the beginning of Shea's viral video, she lists off all the things she is famous for and it's all basic drag queen fabulous b.s. Making a list like that is an invitation to comedy. She could have thrown in other things like "orthodontist" or "hot dog eating contest winner" among all that listiing. She would have made the video actually funny. But she doesn't think like that.

Every week the show seems to make a point of showing us the judges saying how great Shea was (when she’s been mediocre most weeks imo) during their deliberations. Which makes me fear that there is going to be a twist that will get her into the final four, and this is laying the ground for that.

My final four (at the moment) would be: Jinkx, Trinity, Jaida, Viv

Monet better not be in the final 4.

She's charming as a boy, but just so basic as a drag queen.

R553 I agree, she is meant to be on TV somewhere because she’s actually quite funny, but shes no great drag queen, surely they are. It gonna crown her queen of queens, please let it be Jinxx.

I really do not get the hatred for Shea. I find her absolutely delightful. She does brag, but in a playful, self-aware way that seems more silly to me than narcissistic. I don't mind the everything-blackness thing, either; I think that's just her character's perspective, like Jinkx is a middle-aged messy Edina Monsoon saloon girl, Trinity is...a tucker? I always like Shea and don't see any reason to hurl vitriol at her.

Viv to me is very unlikable. She rubbed me the wrong way early on with her jealousy. She bothered me even more when she got blocked and took it so personally, even though others had been blocked before her and everyone admitted it's a compliment to their prowess. She took it way too personally and sought revenge. Then she giddily blocked someone. Then she recoiled when it was time for someone to block and it could have been her. And in this week's episode, she says everyone gets blocked and it's not personal. Maybe there's a reason she does such a good Donald Trump impersonation.

I like Monet a lot, including in drag. My only standard is that they are entertaining and not total assholes. I find Monet entertaining. I do think Monet clearly was the better Sugarbaker this week. For the sake of the competition, I think Monet lost it by not having any clue about her 'brand.' Say what you want about RuPaul, but RuPaul is insightful and he just sees things plainly and can deliver a 'you're an idiot' speech in a very diplomatic way. He had to tell Monet that Monet sounds like money exchange and the dance should be about money. Cmon.

Trinity is definitely Miss Congeniality this time around. I absolutely adore the person she is coming across as this time. She's a top talent and I'm sad she is getting lost in the mix but she definitely deserves recognition for being magnanimous.

And I love Raja, so give Raja a lifetime achievement award. I don't know what exactly Raja has achieved off the show because I am not much of a patron of the drag world, but I want Raja to get special recognition.

The Vivienne is great because we love CUNTY CONFIDENT DRAG QUEENS

She rocked UK1 and ran away with it out the gate. I knew I loved her when she said she was glad to see British drag represented and showcased instead of the cloying YAAAAS HUNTYYYY stuff that isn’t omnipresent in the UK yet

Of course formulaic reality tv insists on having someone who is a “villain” but everyone seems to get along great.

Viv’s unapologetic about who she is. We love u Viv head bitches in charge forever 😍

Given what Viv said on Twitter I think she’s just playing into the villain/Jinkx rivalry edit for screen time.

But like R556 said, I have no problem with drag queens being cunty anyway

Jaida's "look over there!" schtick is beyond tired. It wasn't that funny in the first place.

Prediction (if this hasn't happened already): Viv will re-locate to Los Angeles and within 1 year announce her transition

Prediction: Raja will land some major hosting or judging or presenting gig; this show has sparked a big career resurgence for her

Prediction: A black girl will win (ha ha, that was an easy one)

I love this season's Age of Aquarius persona for Raja. I just love it.

I don't like cunty drag queens, unless they have a sense of humor about themselves. I really liked Viv on her season, but she can be very unpleasant, and not just for storyline. You can see her expressions in the background at times. She's pretty much come out and said, everyone else made money when they won and she didn't so she feels she deserves it.

I never much cared about Shea, as her "I deserve the win because I was robbed" was pretty annoying in the earlier All Stars season, but I think she's coming off much better this time, and though I don't think she's the icon everyone keeps talking about, I like her so much better now.

And if a black Drag queen has to win, that kind of sucks, as Jinkx is so far ahead of the others in every was, other than as a seamstress. But if it has to be, I hope it's Jaida. I think she's come into her own this time, and is so likeable.

I don't buy into X is better than Y. Preferences just come down to personal preferences, after all. My preference would be not for Jaida to win. Jaida seems sweet and likable, but Jaida also feels like an out-of-the-box pretty girl to me. Her styles are all just pretty, not imaginative like many of the others' are, and style is mainly what she has to offer. I agree with the person who says the "Look over there!" schtick wasn't really funny in the first place. To base a whole persona on it is pretty lame to me. Just my opinion. I don't dislike Jaida and so if she wins, fine, but she certainly does not embody the bizarre curiosities and whimsies that I associate with this show at its best.

If the producers have to factor in diversity, then Jinkx still should be a top contender. Jinkx always has been a misfit. Neurodiversity is now supposedly a diversity factor but it never is practically applied. Jinkx has a significant neurological disorder. Jinkx is a "big girl" now, and big girls have been the most discriminated-against group of the whole run of Drag Race. They are cast but they don't win, with I think the sole exception of UK2. Jinkx is just an utterly unique creature with no comparable peer, but also checks off all the CUNT criteria boxes. Jaida to me has direct analogues in Symone, Gigi Goode, Nikki Doll, Aquaria, et al. Jaida doesn't feel one of a kind to me.

I ~*LOVE*~ Shea’s imaginative looks, such as last night’s ill-fitted, no titty, ass-less satin gown with a sheer cape over it as the big reveal.

Stunning, really, compared to 4 different gowns representing 4 different seasons. How out-of-the-bag basic!

Hi Shea!

[quote]Stunning, really, compared to 4 different gowns representing 4 different seasons. How out-of-the-bag basic!

Better a girl for all seasons than a broke-down black bitch.

r563, re-read the post.

I think R555 is watching a different show than I am, and reading a different DL thread than I am.

Other than the racist on this thread, all the critiques over Shea are well earned... And it ain't "vitriol". What a stupid word. She is forgetting to be funny and oddball in her clear agenda to be a creative interpretation of African culture. Why can't she do that while also being a drag queen who gives sass, humor, memorable looks and jokes? Monet, as basic as she is, at least came out this week with a more memorable statement about black American history, and can crack a joke while still representing blackness. Shea has the artistry, vision, and complexities of an artist and does seem like a nice person, and very intelligent. But she's not getting remembered here for iconic moments of humor and pizzazz like Jinkx and even Jaida. She's trying to hard.

I don't see that as vitriol.

As for Viv, I think some folks are taking to see her loving and playful interactions with everyone in the workroom. She fits right in with all of them and is having a great time. Brits have a way of "taking the piss" out of someone that is different than the coy and passive aggressive American way of being bitchy. Both styles are totally fine as long as they are funny. There have been his sand noises in the jokes and reads from all the Queens this season. I think Viv has had one or two moments where she looked awkward or bitchy, but we have seen that from everyone else too. And I think Viv was right to block Jinkx, because that's the game. Block the front runner repeatedly, and if you get a playful bit of revenge, then that's good TV. She later regretted it since Jinkx want going to win a design challenge, but Viv didn't know that when given the plunger.

I think some folks are reading a lot of big drama into the series because they miss seeing it in the main seasons. These girls are winners and have earned the right to be there on this level. We are getting a truly great season, and they are generally playing nice because they know they need to focus on their brand and to stay on that high level with their sisters, more than they need to win the title.

Also, this format with collecting stars and blocking is entirely new, so nobody really knows how best to play the game. It's better to just shine with your best self and enjoy the ride, while looking for opportunities to win where they come up.

Shea's not really funny, though. It doesn't seem quite fair to hold her up to the wit standards of Jinkx and Monet. She is a different person.

Raja is hit-or-miss funny in a way similar to how I think I am. Lots of near misses and a few drywitted hits with an overall fun-character personality. But no one holds it against her that she's not a one-liner machine. I don't know why Shea needs to be.

I think the problem with Viv is that she seems to be playing the game aggressively with her eye on the cash prize and everyone else seems to be having fun and at least trying not to come across as hungry for the quarter million. Raja said this week she's just looking forward to making a lot of new fans. But Viv has a laser focus on the grand prize.

You are correct that Shea is not really funny.... She used to be.

Forr that reason she indeed should be held up to the standards of the other queens who are actually funny. That is what the show is about. Ru wants funny.... In addition to a host of other qualities.

Shea doesn't deserve to win, because she can't find moments of comedy this season. Remember her on the previous season? She won Snatch Game with a brilliant send up of Flava Flav. Where is that Shea?

Saying all this isn't vitriol.

No matter who wins the crown, Jinxx and Raja are winning a whole new set of fans.

Raja is a bore. And really dumb.

Jinkx was AMAZING this week. He's fucking demented and Hilarious. Her runway Klimt gown was truly beautiful. For once.

It was between Monet and Trinity for me for the second spot. Monet DID win that way too fun and difficult lip sync. What else should she look like other than Black? Her runway looks were stellar too. Perfectly realized and styled. He's not handsome, but he's gorgeous as a guy and sexy as hell in drag too.

This week was by far the best episode in many years. They all did really well in the challenge and the runway looks were $$$ beautiful. The VIV into the woods - was jaw dropping. Jaida, pretty after pretty after pretty and Trinity's burlesque dress was a work of ART.

I'm glad Raja is blocked. He didn't deserve last weeks win at all. Impossible for him to win another challenge now. Raja, Shea and The Viv are out of contention. Yvie and Monet are fighting for one spot in the final four.

Trinity needs another star and so does Yvie. Giving us a final four of Trinity, Jaida, Yvie and Jinkx.🤞

RuPaul is telegraphing "Jinkx will win" in a more obvious way than he did with "Willow Pill will die, and I will prematurely reward her death".

When Ru goes in on a favorite, nothing can save the other girls.

I agree, R570. On her very first episode of Drag Race, Shea wore a look that had a hot dog on her head; later in the season she played a pregnant senior citizen in the skit. It’s tough to picture this new version of Shea doing those things. I still like her, but I don’t know why she’s decided to make her drag persona so austere.

The episodes this season have completely depended on the strength of the challenge. When they are simple and let the queens do the work (like this week) they are amazing. When they are unfunny (both acting episodes) they feel conflict-free and pointless.

Team Jinkx for the win, but I’d be happy with a Jaida upset. Trinity has been better than I’d have expected. The only queen not up to par is Yvie, who has had a couple of great runway looks but is cringe central in the challenges. Good as a male character though, haha. She was lucky she was on Season 11, the worst batch of queens up to that point (since surpassed by Kandy Muse and her cronies).

Rupaul looked like he had a different head on his body. So much surgery to look exactly his age out of drag.

I almost feel bad for Shea because she was the victim of her own hype. I understand why she has such a strong fanbase because she was the “robbed” black queen on the first season to have the VH1 audience. But she wasn’t robbed, not really. She won four challenges that season, but her true competition (Valentina and Nina) had self-destructed at that point and they weren’t exactly impressive wins. But for years, her fanbase insisted she was the greatest queen of all time. She wasn’t. Not even close. Unfortunately now Shea believes that and lost whatever humanity made her likable.

Even the way she speaks now is so off-putting and arrogant. She has no respect for anyone’s time or attention. It takes her a month to get a sentence out and when she finally does, it’s empty nonsense or self-pitying bullshit. I have trouble paying attention when she speaks in a way that I don’t have with anyone else. Respect the platform you’re given, respect the audience, and contribute something of substance.

The black supremacy would be more annoying if she hadn’t proven herself to be embarrassingly mediocre compared to the other winners (including, yes, the black ones) but I’m sure she’s going to spin her eventual loss and failure to impress throughout the season on Jinkx and her whiteness and her white privilege and the confidence that comes with whiteness and benefit of the doubt, etc.

Most people won’t fall for it, but she has a large cult of devoted black fans who despise white people and will lap up every word of it.

^ THE resident racist of Drag Race threads ^

Shea is still very much congenial and fun in the workroom.

I just think she's lost some mojo in the challenges.

Jinkx does NOT win lip Syncs. It's going to be hard for her to beat Trinity, Yvie, Monet OR Jaida in a final lalapoolaza. If Jinkx couldn't win Julia Sugarbaker, (and she didnt) I hope she has to win the competition fairly at the end. Otherwise I get it. She's amazingly talented.

I still think it will be Jaida or Trinity who wins. Jinkx is a blast and enormously successful. None of these WINNER season queens seem to be tied into a WoW contract - because BoB and Monet have started their tour and Jinx and Bendela are touring their Xmas camp again starting in November.

At Roscoe's last night, Raja almost made it sound like SHE wins - saying she would never return to Fashion Photo Ruview and was now too busy to continue with her podcast. Of course he was also drunk and inarticulate and kept talking about his edible kicking in.

Jinkx was there too - they said they didn't really understand this challenge at the time and still don't give a fuck. They loved the runway and talked about how they created their reveal looks and never got to see anyone else's until the broacast - because the runways were filmed dirrently for this reveal episode. Jinkx admitted she was originally going to do the four seasons, but the guy she commisioned for her looks came up with art themes. Raja and Jinkx both praised Jaida's runway as beautiful. Jinkx also sang a bit as Judy off the cuff. Great fun.

They said they had a choreographer to help them with this challenge and a therapist on set and Jinkx said that she had her regular appointments with her own therapist during shooting. Witchcraft and therapy. She was funny and charming and annoying as always.

Among this group - Shea does not stand out that much. But as a real dancer and performer and hot ass man - he's doing alright. It's too bad he wants to be Naomi or Linda Evangelista. That assless dress with no titties was actually BAD. I don't associate Shea with a BAD runway.

Trinity made Monet's video dance look. And it was hot. Monet has natural curves - she's a hot bitch in drag. I think that Trinity is the ALL ROUND ALL STAR of the season. But when Jinkx shines - she puts everyone else in the shade.

The roast challenge should be interesting. Lots of editing and fake laughter. But some of these are funny bitches. I'm glad they are roasting each other. It's gonna be good. Even if Mr. Mia Farrow is the guest judge. I expect Trinity, Monet, Viv and Jinkx to shine. Yvie laughing her obnoxious laugh. Raja pretending not to care. Because he doesn't.

Willam says that Raja and Ru were a couple for a VERY long time. Not to believe Ru's fracking marriage to the Aussie rancher.

Thanks for the report, R579. You've made my boring Saturday night a little more exciting.

Trinity is once again performing in England - asking people on Twitter where to find a cute second hand book store? She reads! Here is a queen who came up hard and tough and fighting - but with some success and time and friendships has become a more interesting and thoughtful person. He doesn't write funny tweets. But the bitch is funny as fuck. I think Trinity has the quickest wit on the show.

I really don't understand the people who keep going on about Shea's alleged militant blackness. Unless you are talking about her behavior off the show (I don't follow the off-show antics of any of them.), then there's no there there. Shea mostly wears costumes that relate to African heritage or African American civil rights movement, but otherwise, Shea doesn't grandstand on the show at all about social or political issues. The Vixen did that and The Vixen was exhausting. Shea is always pleasant both onstage and in the workroom. Shea is also collaborative. She doesn't get in people's faces and scream about the black experience; she just wears her hair in sculptural braids, African prints, etc. I'm white and I like Shea.

Shea did get on my nerves with the "the greatest trauma of my life was being the runner up!" thing in her last season. But I think that was a fabricated storyline for her. I say that because all the other contestants and RuPaul himself were sympathetic, while I watched at home feeling like "what the fuck? How many others have been runners up? Why is she a victim here?" That was the only thing about Shea that rubbed me the wrong way and I feel like she was goaded to go on and on about that for the storyline, so that she'd start out the show a devastated wrongful loser and be redeemed at the end with the win she deserved it. Like a lot of the orchestrated nonsense of this series, I never saw it as genuine.

And I don't believe Shea sees herself as the greatest queen of all time because at this point in this season, she's the biggest loser of the game and she keeps a smile on her face but I see her as looking quietly defeated. She's not being self-righteous and saying she is being robbed, which she would say if she felt superior to everyone. That's what The Vivienne is doing. Viv thinks everyone has it out for her rather than having any self-awareness that she is being out competed. I feel like Shea can look at Jinkx and probably also Trinity and realize that if she loses, she won't be 'robbed.'

I frankly wouldn't be surprised if Shea comes up from behind in the next two episodes and gets two stars and ends up in the finals. Just sounds like the kind of storyline the producers love. She definitely will get another star before this is through. (Whether she deserves it or not.) There's a reason no one is getting criticism this season.

Yeah, I fully expect everyone will be a contender in the end or close to it. This season is being supportive of all the contestants' 'legacies' or reputations, and there is no way they will leave Shea hanging as the big loser of the season. Given that people have pointed out Monet regularly performs that Julia Sugarbaker monologue in her personal acts, and she just happened to be in the final two to whom that was assigned and just happened to win, it certainly seems as if this competition was designed to put forth every contestant in the best light possible.

Shea gave me one of the biggest laughs I've had in years when she busted out the pattycake routine from The Color Purple as Monet came at her with the plunger. So funny and unexpected. I love shea for that

Shea’s militant blackness, at link.

She is just NOFUN. I will say I fucking loved the Old MacDonald lipsync though.

[quote] “We built this. I should not have to stand here on a loudspeaker and ask you for fucking permission to walk through the door. Y’all need to hire Black people in your bars. And I’m not just talking about to wipe up your drinks. … I want to see Black people deciding who gets to come in and who gets to make the money.”

I think she's right. 🤷🏻‍♂️

The people who do the hiring have all the power, and if they are all white, then nonwhite people by definition have no power.

Just because she isn’t haven’t shrieking tantrums like The Vixen doesn’t mean that Shea’s act is defined by her militant blackness. Almost every runway monologue and confessional is about her black identity or tied to black culture.

Isn’t defined by*

R588 so? What’s your point?

Most of them have a schtick. At least Shea's is about something real. Jaida's "look over there!" is meaningless and yet it works its way into every runway. Trinity's "expert tucker" schtick is stupid. Yvie's "freaky faces" thing is one note. Shea's "black excellence" (not supremacy, as someone above called it) schtick at least is a good foundation for variable visual ideas. Raja's "wacky New Age guru" schtick is also working out quite well.

Except when you watch Raja's season he is a stone cold bitch. He verbally tortured the other girls with Heathers vs Boogers bullshit. Shea's fine. Let her stand up for her race. Jesus DL,

I love Raja now. I've seen some other recent videos with him(?) and I really like his(?) spirit. Raja came to Drag Race straight off of ANTM, and I imagine that he was feeling very full of himself for already having been known and for his acquaintances. He played Tyra, not that well, in snatch game because "I know Tyra personally," and I think Adam Lambert was a friend of his and was in his casting video. He seemed too big for his britches back then, but seems to have mellowed out a lot since. I always liked his creativity and imagination stylistically and now I really adore the persona, authentic or not.

[quote]Willam says that Raja and Ru were a couple for a VERY long time.

More on this, please!

How does Raja get his forehead so damn smooth?

R595 I'm southeast Asian. Forehead lines are a white people thing.

[quote] If Jinkx couldn't win Julia Sugarbaker, (and she didnt).

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if it is wrong.

During the audience Q & A at Roscoes on Friday night, someone asked Raja about his time on ANTM. He said the usual things about how he got to tour the world and what a great 8 seasons he had there. Then they asked him if Tyra Banks has cheered him on throughout his drag career and if they're still in touch. Raja says, Tyra? (Like they've lost their minds.) "Hell No."

New thread.

R585, that was great.

Thread closed bitches!