Get your Sinitta and 5 Star albums of feel-good music at the ready because if you haven’t already binged watched Russell T Davies new Channel 4 drama, It’s A Sin, then brace yourselves for grim viewing.
Having seen the advert teasers and the first show on Friday 22nd January that doesn’t leave you in a good place after the show, then I can tell you that it only gets worse.
The ’80s were not great times for the gay community and Russell manages to pick up the fear so well and quickly too. The accomplished writings of Russell are there from the start and the show bounces with an occasional break in the fourth wall with the view.
Thankfully these are very brief but important and hammer out almost a whole programs worth of what was going on in around 3 minutes as to some peoples perceptions of HIV and AIDS and what was to come played out. Our main character Ritchie Tozer (Olly Alexander) does I have to say grate on you in this part but then again this is 1981 and with some 40 passing years and hindsight it all becomes relative.
There is no sugar coating what the AIDS crisis was from the start of the show and the experiences so many had in the real world in the ’80s, characters dropped like flies. In Friday’s episode, the lovable Henry (Neil Patrick Harris) who you instantly warmed too is killed off by the virus in the bleakest of ways. His boyfriend “goes home” and the crying starts. Russell is a dab hand at writing tear jerkers. I don’t think there are many out there who can say they didn’t cry watching Dr Who where the Dr and Rose were parted. Well, tissues at the ready because worse is to come.
And it does. Admittedly there are some funny bits and if you pay attention to the finer details you’ll howl laughing at the disgust the Tozer gave when the infamous AIDS TV advert aired. Instead, they click it over to Michael Barrymore’s Strike It Lucky. “Oh I like him,” says Valerie (Keeley Hawes). And Keeley really does shine throughout to the point where you are screaming at her. The meek and mild mother of two suddenly becomes emboldened when she discovers the grim news. And then goes on to be a total bitch.
But one mustn’t single out the actors because everyone plays a vital part in this gripping drama of six friends and their peripheral groups in dark times. But it is Jill (Lydia West) who has the hardest of times throughout the 5 episodes. The only female within the group and the one watching all of those around her fall to a virus or living in fear of it.
The last episode ends with all 6 friends together in a flashback of happier times. And it’s this ending that sets you off. It combines the feel-good with what was and might have been.
So grab your best friends, the ’80s feel-good CDs and a box of tissues. It’s hard viewing. Just don’t watch this on your own.
We are living in difficult times and are looking for TV shows to bring feelings of unity, warmth and nostalgia. Well, The Boys from the Dwarf are here to provide you with just that.
Still floating in deep space after three million + years and 32 years in linear time the team of Lister (Craig Charles), Rimmer (Chris Barrie), Cat (Danny John-Jules) and Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) come across a situation that brings the past back with a bang and teaches them a valuable lesson about unity.
Three million years ago… David Lister, a vending machine repairman, was sentenced to eighteen months in suspended animation for smuggling his pregnant cat aboard the mining ship Red Dwarf. While Lister remained in stasis, a radiation leak killed the rest of the crew. Safely sealed in the hold, the cats evolved into humanoid form who worshiped Lister (or Cloister as they call him) as their god. Many of the cats left the Dwarf to explore the universe, kept evolving, and now roam deep space in a fleet of their own. Over the centuries some cats kept their believe in Lister and some moved on.
Fleeing from a disaster of their own the Dwarfers meet three cat clerics (Tom Bennett, Mandeep Dhillon, Lucy Pearman) who still worship Lister as their God. Feeling responsible Lister vows to help them when he finds out they are being hunted by Rodon, the ruthless feral cat leader (Ray Fearon) who has vowed to punish all Cats who worship anyone but him. Trying to protect the cats leads the Dwarfers into some of the most complicated situation they have ever found themselves in, all while also dealing with issues of their own. The passage of time and living an isolated life away from any other life forms has proven difficult for Lister especially. Kryten and Cat are trying to counsel him without much success. Thankfully the arrival of the Cat people provide him with a sudden purpose.
Meanwhile Rimmer, the hologram, is intent on embracing middle age and just letting everything be. Receiving an unexpected upgrade changes his mind and outlook on life. Sadly it’s consequences soon drive him to despair. Seeing Rimmer so low and the others soon ganging up on him snaps Lister out of his own low mood. He knows he needs Rimmer and wants to help him. This leads to one of the deepest conversations between the pair in years, brilliantly acted by Chris Barrie and Craig Charles. Knowing each other and the characters for so long they know what they are doing and the conversation rings true and feels rather emotional.
Needless to say, the Dwarfers are faced with many difficult situations along the way as they discover more and more about the myth of Cloister and a mythical holy artefact that could save them all. Also, the Cat has a difficult choice to make when united with his people.
Red Dwarf the Promised Land has the perfect mixture of adventure, humour and emotion, it’s journey ending on a very satisfying note with a message the world needs right now.
Good news for any people new to Red Dwarf: you can step right in, as a pre-credits sequence brings you right up to date. Why not join the biggest experts on self-isolation out there!!
Red Dwarf The Promised Land: Thursday April 9th – 9pm, on Dave.
Red Dwarf fans solved a series of codes to unlock the first five minutes of the new Red Dwarf special, The Promised Land.
Watch the full feature length special Thursday 9th of April at 9pm, and until then, enjoy! pic.twitter.com/CMN6yazbOz
So there we are then: the end and damn it Rupaul, you almost made me cry!
What a journey and how happy I am that I kept watching after a rough start, even though I am now sad about having to let go of my new drag family.
Ruby and AJ have reached their destination: the Dallas pageant and it seems AJ is even more invested in Ruby winning than Ruby is. AJ is worried about how Ruby will fare without her once she leaves for her grandfather and wants her well taken care of.
Meanwhile in New York Cocoa is visited by AJ’s mother again, this time she is ready to listen. Finding out where AJ is and where she is going she seems horrified. Stealing some money from Cocoa she quickly leaves to find her.
AJ and Ruby find themselves in trouble: all the other queens seems to have brought busloads of fans with them to help their chances at winning. Ruby and AJ only have each other. AJ decides on a plan.
Finding her police officer lover has let her down Cocoa travels to Dallas to join her friends. Ruby needs all the support as a call from Sanchez has sent her wavering.
A lot of things happen: Sanchez realises he might have feelings for AJ, Lady Danger has escaped prison and has gone after him – he has all her money. The other queens, including the two divas destined for number one, played by Trinity the Tuck and Jujubee have noticed AJ trying to get their fans on Ruby’s side and they are not happy.
Meanwhile, anti gay/drag protesters have descended onto the pageant.
The pageant rehearsal is a joyous line up of former Racers and seeing Rupaul stand alongside them is so moving. You can see that despite being their former judge she is one of them too, she came from this world and this is her love letter to them, to drag.
Meanwhile, Lady Danger seems rather jealous of the fact Sanchez choosing Ruby and searching for her stolen money she decides to trash her wigs. Finding out Ruby thinks the protesters did it, then the other queens. The speech Ruby gives the protesters is gorgeous but the way the other queens (the bitchy rivals) rally round to get Ruby wig hair so she can still compete is heartwarming.
Sadly Ruby doesn’t get to compete as AJ’s scam and story has sent the police and child agencies to the pageant. Meanwhile, Ruby, in utterly gorgeous drag, is visited by Sanchez – he brings her the money and his heart, or so he claims. AJ drags Ruby out, with money and all – of to grandfather before it’s too late.
While they flee Cocoa decides that even if Ruby can’t compete there is no reason to leave her place vacant. So for the first time ever Cocoa performs again, and she is everything!!
Ruby and AJ have reached grandfather. Fearing he might be conservative AJ asks if Ruby can drag her up, to fit in. Then they say their sad goodbyes. Ruby’s face as AJ explains why Ruby can’t come with her to meet her grandfather is sad.
But things get worse: waiting in her van to make sure AJ gets home to Pop-pop safe and sound she makes a shocking discovery. She has to find her.
Then, in such a beautifully acted and filmed emotional moment Ruby thinks AJ is finally hers. The daughter, friend and companion she always wanted. But then …
No, you will have to watch it yourself to find out, please do. It is a journey that will warm your heart.
Finding themselves at a playground, Ruby teaches AJ how to swing (she had never played before). Sadly AJ asked for a push too much and flies of, breaking her arm.
Overcome with fear and seeing something wrong with her arm Ruby takes AJ to the hospital. AJ, though, doesn’t want to go, she is terrified. Soon we find out why: a hospital is where she was separated from her mum. We find out AJ would rather be in pain than lose Ruby as she knows that difficult questions might be asked the moment the doctors and nurses separate them.
She is right, soon people start to ask questions: what reason could a black gay man possibly have to travel with a white child? The fact that no-one even thinks of the possibilities: adoption, teacher, nanny, baby sitter is shocking.
Stumped for an answer Ruby blurts out she is her pageant coach.
This is both a tragic and hilarious episode all in one, as at first, the hospital staff all want something from Ruby. A cute young doctor wants drag advice, a nurse wants pageant advice for her grand doctor and – more offensive – a desk nurse wants to know if she could judge her daughter’s black boyfriend. The young doctor is the kindest one and helps out when Ruby has to take desperate measures to get AJ back.
We flashback a lot between four key hospital moments: the present, AJ’s birth as well as the moment she got taken away from her mum, while the relationship between Ruby and best friend and drag sister Cocoa is further explored as we flashback to the incident that caused Cocoa’s disability. This gave Rupaul the chance to display one of her most fabulous looks of the series. To see her run through the corridors in that red dress is a visual delight. The scene of her talking with Cocoa in the hospital bed is beautiful. They have great chemistry.
Back to the present where Ruby pretends to be a Jamaican intern. For some reason, RuPaul can really get away with this look and actually knows how to do the accent, which sells it. This end scene makes the episode end on a high.
During the hospital visit, we got to see how much Ruby cares about AJ and how much AJ has started to care about Ruby. In the next episode, we zoom in deeper on this.
When they reach Texas and the club Ruby was supposed to perform in is bulldozed down AJ asked if Ruby can maybe bring her to her grandfather immediately. Ruby immediately thinks of things they could go and do before that and quickly settles on visiting an old very rich friend (instead of, you know, the war museum.)
There a lot of things happen, an important one is that Jane Krakowski plays Beth her old friend fabulously. Meanwhile: Ruby has to explore her own fears, Beth’s marriage and life isn’t as fabulous as she claims (though she is rich) and AJ befriends the couple’s reclusive son.
The next day Ruby is roped in to be the entertainment of the party Beth is planning. The entertainment manager is non-other than Ginger Minj who proves herself to be another fabulous actor. These queens are so damn talented!!
AJ haggles Beth’s husband to pay Ruby $4000. Then the poor girl collapses. It turns out that the innocent health juice she thought she drank was Beth’s special juice – 90% vodka.
Ruby carries AJ in and looks after her. Spaced out the girl tells her “I love you” and Ruby breaks down.
She is further upset when Cocoa calls her to say that the mother has visited her and she is sending the police after her.
Ruby admits: she doesn’t want to give up AJ anymore. She has grown to love her as a daughter.
The rest of the episode explores Ruby’s own identity. It turns out she was always afraid of her feminine side and instead of admitting it thought it was Beth who stopped her playing with dolls and with her female friends. It was her own fear holding her back.
A positive trans message is included as well.
AJ tries to break away with the couple’s son, crashing the van. She explains she tried to leave without saying goodbye because she fears she will never be able to say goodbye to Ruby.
Both agree they want to travel together a little longer.
This is what I was looking for: warmth, joy, LGBT history, gay icons from history, gentle life lessons and camp and all this in Gilmore Girls Town. Girl, I was living for this episode.
Following a performance gone bad, Ruby feels low, something that is worsened when finding out AJ is unaware of some of the most iconic performers in history. Diana Ross the main one.
The scene where Ruby tries to explain what a Diana show was like is slightly confusing, as it makes you wonder why she doesn’t show AJ pictures and clips as she has internet. But Ru’s personal passion for Diana makes it work.
Ruby decides to educate on camp and glamour, starting with AJ needing a more sparkly outfit, the girl isn’t convinced about this, though and refuses.
AJ wonders why Ruby is so hung up on all these female performers and why she has no male icons she looks up to. Ruby has one: Bob Mackie and this time she does go online to try and make AJ aware of the famous designer. A good thing she did, as she finds out that there is a museum dedicated to the man close by. Well, six hours away.
This is when we reach the best location yet: Mt Juliet, or as we know it: Stars Hollow – yes the whole episode takes place in Gilmore Girls town!!
There is almost disappointment for Ruby as the museum turns out to be a house, a bed and Breakfast none the less. But things change when she meets the owner Lloyd Johnson who is as passionate about Mackie as she is and realises that the “house” contains all his most famous dresses.
AJ decides to treat Ruby on a night at the museum, then leaves to have some fun of her own.
As Ruby and Lloyd bond over camp and glamour, AJ soon realises she should have kept her money when she finds the puppy she always dreamed of. She quickly hatches a scam with a girl selling lemonade on the square to get the money.
Here we reach the emotional heart of the episode. Ruby receives a call from Cocoa Butter who by now is VERY happy with the officer of her dreams, telling her they found out just who AJ’s mother is. It is worse than we or Ruby could ever have thought.
AJ’s scam backfires when the girl she bought the stall from turns out to have a mother that is rather controlling and cold, wanting the money AJ earned back. Ruby protects her, saying things that are meant for the mother to hear but upset AJ. They fall out.
If anyone claimed thatRupaul was getting “tired of drag” they should be forced to watch the “Endless Love” scene on a loop until the end of time.
If anyone claimed that Rupaul was getting “tired of drag” they should be forced to watch the “Endless Love” scene on a loop until the end of time. The sheer joy and delight on Ru’s face when she comes down the stairs in that Diana Ross outfit and the perfection with which she mimics Diana’s expressions when she lipsyncs the song: she has waited for this moment all her life!
Meanwhile, Sanchez and Lady danger are still out there, waiting. Though Sanchez isn’t sure he even wants to do all this anymore. He seems regretful and just can’t scam anymore.
This episode makes you long for this being the place where Ruby and AJ settle down: Ruby should marry Lloyd and live her glitter dream forever and AJ should befriend that girl and help her rebel and find herself. But of course, they have to move on, after AJ learns actually having a mum that is “there” isn’t what it is cracked up to be either.
As a Drag Race and RuPaul fan, the thought of a comedy-drama starring Ru and so many of her girls sounded like a dream.
Sadly Episode 1 isn’t giving me entirely what I was looking for.
Yes, Ru is fabulous, as always, and the first half of the episode was brilliant: Ru as Ruby Red performing at the club, her reading of the owner in front of so many incredible Drag Race alumni including Bianca Del Rio. The scenes with Michael Leon Wooley who plays her fierce best friend. These were all great, with just that mixture of camp, drama and comedy you’d expect from a show like this.
The story moves along nicely: Ruby Red has been in the drag business for decades and has finally saved up enough money to start a club of her own. She dreams of making life better for her drag sisters.
This by itself would be an amazing show. The characters introduced so far work and Ruby thinking up ways to earn money to get her club after all with help from her drag friends would be a great series.
Sadly it’s when AJ arrives that the story goes off the rails. So far it is unclear why her character is needed as it takes the flow out of the story. AJ’s background story is written as very tragic, but the way Izzy G performs it does not evoke any sympathy. In fact, so far all she does is shout and annoy.
She also steals from Ruby and utters homophobic slurs. Not really clear to see why Ruby would be so caring towards her in return. Perhaps the idea is that we will see AJ grow and change as the series moves along. I hope that some of this change will be sooner rather than later as right now her scenes are difficult to watch.
Sadly, the man she thought loved her and would help her build her dream turns out to be a con who steals all her money and her dreams. This leads into a hilarious scene in the police office and a lovely scene of her best friend encouraging her to try again.
The story ends with Ruby leaving for a road trip to earn back some of her money while the police are working on her case that may turn out bigger and more dangerous than she had imagined.
Despite the minor niggle, the story has a big heart and a clear message: RuPaul’s message – it is okay to be you, it is okay to love yourself, you matter.
There is warmth and a strange comfort that is rare in TV shows these days and with promises of big performances, more Drag Race stars and adventure I am looking forward to what happens next.
It’s been a week since the Drag Race Finals and all that came with it and on Monday the RuPaul show will start.
What happened at the finals and what can we expect from Ru? We’ll talk about all this here.
Well let’s first say: what a fabulous final!! One of the best in a while.
While some finals dragged on as we waited for the crowning, this one was filled to the brim:
Each top four queen had their own moment to talk, do a sketch and share the stage with Ru.
There was music (Christina and the Queens performing “Cover Girl”), Queens from the past, Vanjie!! And Ru seemingly living her best life joking and glowing. A joy.
Another highlight was Michelle Visage who got her deserved moment to talk about Breast Implant Illness Awareness. Michelle is such a big part of this show she should have a section each year. It would be great if she could perform one of the songs she has been doing on the road with the Rugirls one day.
Then on to the lip-syncs: Silky vs Brooke Lynn, Yvie vs A’Keria: the right result in both cases. It was sad to see Silky so scared and seemingly already giving up before it all started. Apparently she had been suffering from a social media hate campaign that tarnished her confidence. Very sad.
The big finale: Yvie vs Brooke Lynn. One of those historic lip-syncs we’ll be talking about in years to come. While Yvie was absolutely shining, and was the deserved winner, Brooke Lynn would have won every other year. Her “Reveal” coat, her dancing: stunning. But Yvie was unbeatable she drew everyone’s attention in her mirrored dress and majestic poses. She seemed already a star and the audience lapped her up.
As the winner Yvie of course quickly released some music and a video that was absolutely on brand Yvie style!!
Now it’s been a whole week without Drag Race but not without RuPaul. Mama Ru has been doing the chat show rounds promoting the Rupaul show. Her new daily live show, that is more than just TV.
Watch one interview here:
We might also see Michelle Visage back soon in the UK as our tiny diva is rumored to be signing on for Strictly!!
But before that don’t forget: Drag Race UK is coming soon!! New Queens, new styles new accents! Are you excited? I am!!
We’ll leave you with Ru talking about LGBT rights and Donald Trump on the View this week, because … Well, because!!
A big two weeks in drag history: the semi-final, Alyssa Edwards launching her make up pallet, the series 11 reunion and the biggest Drag Con ever.
Let’s discuss all this in this order:
We’ve lost Miss Vanjie!! Yes, the unexpected happened on Episode 12: Miss Vanjie sashayed out of the competition.
The episodes saw the Queens become part of Ru’s music: writing and recording either a rap or verse for her new track Queens Everywhere.
The queens were rehearsed and recorded by Todrick Hall and were told they had to perform the track in a one-take performance in front of the judges.
If I’m honest I miss the final performances where Ru performed a scene with the queens during the video. It was great seeing her interact with her final four/three.
It seems recording an episode of “What’s The T” with the girls has replaced this, but then again in the past she did this too with the “lunch” chat – tick tacks included.
What I love is how Michelle Visage does the workroom talk in these episodes, she’s so natural and fun it seems she’s been doing this every week, she and Ru have this wonderful similar energy. It’s no wonder they’ve been friends for so long.
The performance was fun. But for some reason Vanjie seemed to have a blackout during it, messing up a routine she did so well during rehearsal. Brooke Lynn did well but really didn’t fit this kind of dance. Silky amazed literally throwing herself into it, A’Keria was good enough and had learned fast for a non-dancer. Yvie was an absolute stand out.
The runway was sort of the same, though I didn’t get the critique about Vanjie’s dress. It was beautiful!
Then came the shocking moment: Vanjie vs Brooke Lynn. The lovers were put against each other!!
Brooke Lynn wins and Vanjie leaves.
But OMG did she leave!! This was amazing and probably the most iconic moment of this series. Thank you for that Vanjie!!
Then there was the amazing Miss Alyssa Edwards. Last week she exploded all over social media in the most sparkly way. The reason is as fabulous as ever: she has her own makeup pallet out with Anastasia Beverly Hills. The pallet is so wonderfully her: bright colours named after her most famous catchphrases and motivational quotes (beast, backroles, unicorn tribe, don’t dream it be it etc.) She also released a single “The Supreme” to accompany the release.
Last weekend at Drag Con Alyssa proved her star status arriving with her entourage to excited screams. She also proved that she is still the kind, humble soul she has always been, as she stood on stage for endless hours on massive heels, making sure she posed and chatted with every last fan. Giving them a smile and a hug without complaining once, no matter how exhausted she started to look.
This week she was revealed as the face of Fronts Fossil’s Pride Benefit Campaign
The reunion then. While it delivered no real solution to wig gate (but not even the people involved cared much by the end.) It did show us that despite not making the top 4, Vanjie is clearly one of the breakout stars (again) this season.
Contradicting all expectations the reunion wasn’t the explosive bomb it promised to be after all these weeks of online bitching and threats of “wait till the reunion”, it was more a small but enjoyable sparkler.
The main course of the show existed of the queens explaining and apologising for their actions. It was good to see Ra’Jah get the chance to explain herself and the issues she was going through during filming. It was also a treat to see a young queen like Plastique be so gentle and understanding.
Two of the biggest shocks of the episode absolutely were seeing how A’Keria instigated so many problems between queens and … The end of Branjie!!
Yes, while we were all watching romance develop on screen, the golden couple had already broken up in real life. Brooke Lynn not being ready for full commitment is understandable but still, it was sad to see Miss Vanjie so hurt by it all.
RuPaul being RuPaul obviously seemed disappointed by the first Drag Race romance already being over, so she got the couple to hug and try to make up when both admitted they would love to try again.
Rumour has it they were seen hugging at Drag Con this weekend, so who knows!!
Meanwhile, a lot of things we wanted to hear more about Silky and Soju’s fall out, for example, were left up in the air. Poor Honey Davenport’s controversial exit wasn’t even discussed, and it really should have been. In fact, she was barely acknowledged.
Some spark was missing for some reason as if the queens were afraid to really let rip. After the reunion social media queens Plastique, Soju and Ariel released a video about their drag Race experiences being social media queens that was actually more entertaining in a way.
It’s been said that a lot has been edited out of the official reunion, which is a shame as we get so involved with those queens we just want to know if things are resolved in the end!!
All queens (season 11 and otherwise) certainly seemed united last weekend at Drag Con where the greatest, most sparkling edition ever took place.
Anyone following RuPaul on Twitter or Instagram got an absolute treat seeing the Queen of queens beyond happy and excited. It was good to see Ru be so hands-on during the weekend: meeting fans, hosting panels and even giving two DJ sets. During her interviews on location, the joy in creating this event for queens and drag lovers was clear. This event means the world to her and seeing she has created an LGBTQ event parents are taking their children to is so uniquely valuable.
Now, though it’s the finale after weeks of waiting and wondering.
Will it be Yvie, Brooke Lynn, Silky or A’Keria? We can’t wait to find out!!!
Well, it’s been quite the few weeks in the world of Drag Race!! Queen of Queens Rupaul has been the source of many discussions regarding her recent decisions on the show as well as her MET Gala look and recent TV appearances!!
First the last two episodes: Episode 10.
One of the best episodes so far, with a good story-line and a great challenge. Oh, and lots of Pit Crew!! Ah, and an appearance of Delta Work! You know: classic Drag Race!
It was also home of a first: namely Vanjie finally winning a challenge. Okay, a mini challenge, but still.
The win meant she could select her team for this weeks main challenge: a drag magic show!!
Sadly, she didn’t use this position to her advantage, as the team she selected … well, let’s just say, sadly, it didn’t do too well. This is sad, as a team consisting out of the more vocal queens of the show (Vanjie, Silky, A’keria and Yvie) could have worked.
The main reason as to why this happened is soon clear as during creating and rehearsing their show the team doesn’t seem to listen to each other (Silky even falls asleep) and Vanjie is seen trying to please everyone and feeling uncomfortable. Then they have to redo it all again as Team Da Black Magic as they call themselves are told their material is too blue for family VH1 viewing. Despite performing reasonably well, the poor girls didn’t stand a chance.
The other team (The Mighty Tucks) consisting of Nina, Brooke Lynn and Shuga Cain immediately seems prepared and ready: working on a full back story, a naughty but suitable for family script and an almost professional act. The moment they start you feel as if you’re watching a group of queens who’ve been doing this for years. They could basically tour this act!!
It is clear that they are this weeks winners.
After a strong Kaftan based Runway the judges start their critique. It’s easy: They loved The Mighty Tucks and disliked Da Black Magic. Nina rightfully wins this week while Yvie and Silky are especially singled out for respectively their stage presence and their shocking padding, We think we know who will be in the bottom two.
But … there is a twist: the winning team doesn’t win as a team, with Shuga Cain singled out as a week link and put in the sing of. This is very odd as Shuga proved herself a strong and funny team member and should not have been part of the bottom two.
As team leader of Da Black Magic it is Vanjie who ends up as second bottom two member and turns out a very strong lip sync.
It is goodbye to Brooke Lynn.
Soon after Ru appeared at the MET gala and, sadly her outfit wasn’t to everyone’s taste and caused an absolute storm on the internet with some people actually sending death threats. Now I know fashion and glamour is a serious subject to many, but really?!!
Ru later explained her decision not to wear drag to Stephen Colbert: she had been lead to believe there would be hundreds of drag queens and had opted to stand out in a different way. To her this outfit was camp. It is a shame, as this being the year drag queens were finally invited and the theme being camp it could have been the perfect year for Ru to once again make history.
Soon, though, the MET controversy was forgotten as Ru surprised Anne Hathaway live on TV and her response was … interesting to say the least.
Things became even more heated after episode 11. An episode that saw a few of the eliminated queens return.
Before that, though there was a return of the “reading and slapping” challenge, which Ru left entirely in the hands of the girls, after he accidentally hit Asia for real last year.
The girls take full advantage of their chance to hit their colleagues and release some pent up energy.
Brooke Lynn is the best, using her ballet skills to amp up her comedy, and rightfully won.
Then the eliminated queens return for a challenge (and a fight.) They are to be made over by the still standing queens. As usual “family resemblance” is the key. Brooke Lynn gets the honor of pairing up the queen with their future sister and on the whole her pairings could work. The only problem seems to be the pairing of Silky and Soju and this played out rather painfully on screen. Feighning friendlyness during the challenge Silky madfe it rather clear in her backstage chat that she didn’t care for Soju as a partner at all. Seeing Soju working hard to do anything to please and help Silky made you feel for her. Come on, the girl tried to work in heels for you despite it hurting and let you work on her face with a sharpy!!
Meanwhile a few fights about wigs and opinions broke out. But considering all that happened online between the season 11 queens during this seasons broadcast we can expect far worse during the reunion!!
Judging from what we are shown in the episode the people setting themselves up for fail are Silky and Nina. Silky because she and Soju are just not in that “sisterly vibe” zone as all the other and Nina because, even though her her idea is wonderful: The Rainbow Flag and the Transgender Flag embracing each other, the outfits do not look alike. This is sad because Nina’s idea and look would have been a winner in a “Pride” challenge, but for a twin look it is just not working.
This all plays out as expected.
Meanwhile Vanjie is followed throughout the episode and from what we see and hear we’re certain: this will finally be Vanjie’s week. She’s had such a rough time after being brought back from last season. Now, finally her anxiety and hard work will be validated: Vanjie will get her win AT LAST!!
Come decision time, though, things turn confusing. The runway and judges critiques made it clear: clearly this will be a redemption win for Vanjie. She made Ariel into a virtual twin, so much so you can’t even spot the difference between them at times. This is actual family resemblance!! Adding to this: the look was gorgeous.
Not that Brooke Lynn didn’t turn it out, but Vanjie’s work was perfection. Seeing the hopeful expectation on Vanjie’s face turn to heartbreak after being denied a win yet again was sad.
Thankfully Brooke Lynn said she would share her reward (a holiday for two) with her.
Then the lip-sync: Nina vs Silky. A lot of accusations have been thrown towards Rupaul for putting Nina in the bottom two, but it was clear that though her idea was beautiful, the execution just didn’t look right for this challenge. Then the performance itself: seriously? Silky, after ten weeks of bigging herself up turns out with this? Nina clearly was the best one here performance wise, though only by a small margin.
The only reason I can see for keeping Silky might be because, at the time, production thought she would be a fan favorite and the face she had thought up a reveal (a small and confusing one, but still) and attempted to use the entire space and tried a split? Yes, grasping at straws here.
Meh indeed …
So, this week the finale was recorded, taking six hours in total. Queens old and new walked the red carpet and later the runway. You can see what this seasons queens wore on this Drag Race Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/rupaulsdragrace/?hl=en
To keep the mystery two exciting crownings were recorded. Soon we will find out which one will be shown when we the audience help Ru decide the official winner. Shockingly WOW had already leaked the official top four earlier this week in their recording announcements, rest assured if you missed it I will not spoil it for you.
There was some drama with two audience members being evicted for posting live pictures and updates to social media. Having seen some I can reveal one important thing: this time Ru looks absolutely gorgeous!!
This is a two in one review that I hope you will enjoy.
Last week Drag Race presented us with Rupaul teaching the queens all about promotion, using her own book Guru as a tool for a fun mini challenge.
The episode also included a visit from the lovely Jinx Monsoon who coached the girls into the always much anticipated snatch game.
That segment proved a clear problem some queens always have: when told their strengths and weaknesses – or what may or may not work they never listen. Or they only take it on board when it’s too late. If Ru or a seasoned queen makes it clear they think you’d be better suited to do a character they know you excel at: do it!!
So Snatch Game itself was … uneven, the ones that were good were good, the ones that were not absolutely bombed!
Silky won overall. Now her Snatch Game was good but what does Nina West have to do to be noticed? She presented two wonderfully funny characters and completely changed up her look and still she just gets a “well done, byeee!!”
It must be discouraging to be working so hard and never be seen.
The runway was a fabulous sequin spectacle with Brooke Lynn Heights pulling a beautiful mega reveal. Sadly as she failed on Snatch Game it didn’t do her much good.
Then the much talked about lip-sync: Yvie vs Brooke Lynn.
I know a lot of fans say this was the best lip-sync ever but it wasn’t for me. Yes, it was good but I prefer ones that don’t use acrobatics but instead have real dancing or the ones where the queens are so into the song it seems as if they sing it themselves.
Still it was good, so good in fact no-one sashayed away.
This week saw the library open for one of the strangest of Reading challenges. This it seemed as if non of the girls really knew how to really read and were better at clapping back. Silky and her footnote was the strangest one of all. Brooke Lynn was absolutely the best and deserved her win. Future queens better go and watch Paris is Burning to get schooled in reading like a pro!!
One of the rewards of winning her reading challenge was that Brooke Lynn got to select who teamed up with who for this weeks main challenge. An improv police series called: L.A.D.P.: Los Angeles Drag Patrol. There was some shade involved in her choices, but also a little wisdom. Pairing a more subdued queen with a vocal one can work – and it did for most of them.
The challenge itself was fun for the most with Silky and Brooke Lynn shining (it was not surprising Nina felt some kind of way giving Brooke Lynn the part she had wanted to do herself. She ended up being barely featured in the scene at all!!) But the absolute star was A’Keria Davenport who finally felt ready to let go. She was funny and an absolute twerk star!
The real winner, to me, though was RuPaul. The delivery of her connecting secretary scenes were hilarious – especially when she was “speaking cat”.
So, talking about cats: sad to say Plastique Tiara and Miss Vanjie were … not there – they looked great and their thing could have been funny, if they had prepared a little more. Also two cats fighting over milk. Did no-one even think about fighting over Milk? As in the former contestant? It could have made the joke a lot better.
Then the runway, this week category is the Facekini. Though the show says it’s based on Ru’s iconic wearing of the facial garment, the original for this look is course Leigh Bowery, which is mentioned by Nina West who wears an outfit inspired by him. Sadly, though her look is one of the best, she doesn’t get singled out and just ends up “safe”.
Absolute winner is A’Keria who also slays the runway, a well deserved win.
Over to one of the most cozy and cheerful Untuckeds ever. The girls were at their calmest: talking like friends and just being happy an friendly with each other. It’s good to have episodes like this once in a while.
The bottom two was right: both Vanjie and Plastique were just not on point in both the challenge and the runway. Vanjie was clearly ready to slay a lip-sync, having prepared herself every week and easily beat Plastique.
From all kinds of whispers it is clear we do not have to mourn the loss of our Asian Queen for long, her popularity might spur her on to All stars 5. If you can’t wait that long, take a look at what she did next here:
Yes!! There she was at last: the much quoted much mentioned Alyssa Edwards returned to Drag Race this week and breathed some much-needed life in this year’s slightly confusing season.
The episode started with the queens feeling a bit low and irritated with each other. RuPaul seemed intent on changing this rut this week, staging a potato-sack race (with boobs) that put a bit of a smile on the queen’s faces (especially the winners as the best queens got rather a lot of money!!)
The challenge itself, though, brought everyone back to earth: Farm to Runway. The queens got the almost impossible challenge of turning farm food and fabric into actual fashion worthy challenges.
A lot of the queens seem happy with the challenge, ready to show their creative selves.
This week the episode was very much Plastique Tiara’s chance to shine, and she did!! Her emotional talk with RuPaul about her upbringing and sad relationship with her family was heartbreaking, resulting in the first documented workroom hug from Ru. Then we were later introduced to her lighter more carefree side with the arrival of her drag-mother: Alyssa. The change in attitude from Plastique was amazing, and resulted in getting her first big win!! Well done.
It seemed Alyssa had a positive influence on everyone with her catwalk training, fun motivational speeches and choreography. It was the first time all queens seemed at ease and smiling.
The show is stressful and emotional, and having a person step in with a positive attitude who knows what you’ve been through helps a lot. Alyssa is a great teacher and it was clear she cares for her new drag sisters (and daughters) a lot.
Sadly nothing could help poor Ra’Jah. The queen clearly felt undervalued in the show, longing for praise and help, but also pushing away everyone who reached out. Over the weeks it was sad to see a clearly talented artist fall victim to their (in Ru’s words) “Inner saboteur”.
What was also sad was hearing her tell Akeria about knowing she was having a breakdown but no-one was helping her, no one had ever told her she was loved. The jealousy she displayed towards Plastique came from a place of hurt. It was good to see a young queen like Plastique sensing this and comforting the angry Ra’Jah instead of fighting.
Hopefully Ra’Jah will find her inner peace so her true talent can shine one day. A lot of queens got the chance to redeem themselves during an All Star season, I hope she can have that too.
Judging from her after show interviews she has already started working on her problems.
But we’ll see at the reunion.
With Ra’Jah gone focus is now shifting to the differences between Yvie Oddly, Silky and Miss Vanjie. This could be getting interesting!! Stay tuned!!
