Ru Paul’s Drag Race (v2)

[SidewaysOtter]

This is not a place to debate the rights and wrongs of drag, comments on this subject will be reported for deletion. The Feminism forum (where you will often find me, feminists can like drag too) is that way ->

Week 2 thoughts? I thought the right person went but I thought the bottom two should have been the other bottom Queen.

The right team won too!

I think, possibly because those that did not live it, take more chances with barebacking? Or the adage if we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it? (although the people most at risk of contracting AIDS now are women of colour in sub-Saharan countries).
Nathaniel Hall (from It's a sin) contracted HIV at 16 the first time he had sex...so around 2004. That should not have happened, but clause 28 was only repealed the year before. Although I ignored Clause 28 anyway because it was morally repugnant to me.
I would hope that boys know enough now to protect themselves but those young ones watching (and given the demographic of RuPaul audience there will be) might pick up on PrEP. If it saves just one person from having to take antiretrovirals all their life, then it's worth it.

All that said, colour me cynical says, in the same way contestants have a Journey, many RuPaul contestants now do use issues or family histories etc to elicit emotions/garner sympathy. It makes it harder to eliminate someone who has just drawn attention to their cause (why I hate honouring dead ones in Strictly). But Cheddar's outfit was beautifully done. I also do not know how much activism they do in real life - maybe they do some in Manchester. I did wonder if Michelle looked a bit stern at first because it was originally very much a New York grassroots movement.
Also, whilst I like RuPaul I do not stan it like Strictly, but something seemed familiar, so I wonder if the concept has been used before?

I've found this season disappointing compared to previous ones, it's a bit predictable now and there has been quite a few weak performances and too many sob stories. If I want a sob story I will watch X-Factor but I just want Drag Race to make me laugh.

Snatch game is normally the highlight of the series and it was so disappointing last night.

I'm sad that Le Fil went last night, Black Peppa should definitely go next.

I'm hoping that either Danny Beard or Cheddar wins.

Cheddar is clever, intellectually and emotionally. It makes him very interesting and enjoyable to listen to and watch. Dr Cheddar for the win for me!

Yes to the disappointment, I was hoping the snatch game would have some different characters for a change, its all a bit samey. I thought Danny would shine at the snatch game but I think he got off lightly with his critique.

Dakota really is absolutely stunning and I love their looks on the runways.

I was disappointed with Snatch Game but I'm really glad JB took the advice of playing St Paddy as it really worked.

Danny Beard was incredibly lucky to be safe. He was awful. Definitely the right bottom 2 but think Le Fil was better in the lip sync.

I thought Le Fil won the sync easily. I just don’t get why Peppa keeps scraping through.

Catching up with my own thread

One thing I noticed is how nice the vibe is this year. They seem really supportive of each other, less bitchiness and snark.

I’d agree but the one who I have found snarky is Cheddar. I don’t massively like them but I can’t deny their Elizabeth I was genius and absolutely hilarious. I actually liked Danny’s Cilla although they were so heavily made up/prosthetic’ed that they looked like a Spitting Image puppet…

Black Pepper and Le Fil just were not funny and the lip sync wasn’t much better. I’d have chosen Le Fil, mind. Like @FitYeDaeinYeMadRadge I can’t see why BP keeps making it through.

I did like Cheddar’s pink triangle outfit because I like drag/burlesque when it has something to say, but I was a bit when they said they were born in the 80s. I’m slightly older than that and only just remember the “Don’t die of ignorance”/tombstone campaign so by the time our generation came of age, AIDS awareness was widespread. So I felt Cheddar talking about a time that didn’t directly affect them (not that I’m saying AIDS/HIV doesn’t affect everyone, especially gay men) was a bit “appropriationy”.

Le Fil was totally robbed. Black pepper should have gone by now.

I’m not going to spoil it for those who haven’t watched but I have The Rage

not happy with bottom two

Two through who didn’t deserve it

Fuming

NOOOO!!!!! I'm so sad!

How was Black Peppa not bottom 2? Incidentally, I thought Jonbers was good - not top good but safe good. I'd have had Pixie and Peppa bottom 2.

Enough with the crying! This series has been a complete cry-fest. Bianca and her sassy-ass mouth would have had NO truck with it.

Too much wailing and not enough bitching

why the bloody hell Peppa keep scraping through is beyond me

i really really want Dakota’s cropped jumper for Christmas

I mean, I'd have turfed Dakota out for all the endless crying but that aside, I'd have put Jonbers and Black Pepper in the bottom two. I didn't think the person who went really deserved to. That said, although they were a very good looks queen, the rest of their acts could be a bit 'meh'.

Cheddar's outfits were stunning.

Does anyone know where Ru had gone?

Internet theories include Ru being ill or maybe flying to Canada for the finale of Canada vs the world.

I find myself just wanting to get to the finale already - it’s obvious who the top 2 are

I thought maybe Covid!

Actually, Pixie deserved to be bottom 2 just for Trixie's face and padding! But I'd have put Black Peppa there with her. I thought Jonbers and Dakota were both totally middle of the road, not ecstatic but fine.

FUMING HERE TOO IN CAPS LOCK!!!

Dakota should not have even been lip syncing.
She did the task well and her protégée/sister was happy.
Should have been Pixie and Baby, who were both crying non-stop and without any doubt, Pixie should have gone home. Messed up the padding, didn't lip sync that well for that particular number, put on the waterworks for Granwarz and did the shittiest make-up. Wendy looked the most disappointed - and given they seemed the most loved of the queen crew - it was a real shame they had to pretend it lived up to their fairy fantasy. If your sister feels older/less glamorous with make up on, you've fucked up.

Boo and indeed moo!

Dakota imo opinion relied on being naturally feminine and then didn't go that big on make up.
I still feel aggrieved that La fil went before peppa, Dakota and jonbers!

I definitely think Jonbers should have been in the bottom.
I found Pixie endearing at the start but not so much now.

I think at the end that Chedda will edge it over Danny.

Absolutely gutted ! I definitely thought dakota would be in the final. I felt she was just getting into her stride, doing well in the snatch game previously. There's no way she should have been in the bottom 2.
I honestly thought they weren't going to send anyone home with Ru away- rather than the end result!!
I think Jonberrs and black pepper should have been bottom 2. I think pixie should have gone out of the bottom too. Really bad with the make up and padding on her queen.
Basically it went to shit with Ru away !! I demand a recount !!!

I wasn't a fan of Dakota, she was far too predictable and looks queens don't normally do well. I thought she was one of the weaker ones of who was left since she hadn't been great on tasks but was surprised that she went last night.

Once again, I'm wondering why Peppa is still there. I hope she goes next.

I felt sorry for Pixie's queen as she made her look 10 years older with the horrible make up!

I still want Cheddar to win.

I quite like Jonbers. In drag, he puts me in mind of Detox (US Drag Race season 5 and AllStars 2), similar vibe. I thought that his outfits in the family resemblance round were lovely.

I agree that there is no way that Cheddar and Danny will not be in the top three, though. I think Black Peppa will be there too, simply because he is unlike any of the other U.K. queens who have gone before him and has a unique style.

I actually think that in the U.K. we are running out of the good queens! In the first series, it was obvious who the top three were going to be, and all three were brilliant. In the second there were some true originals (Tayce, Tia Kofi: I love a comedy queen). The third series was disappointing - Krystal couldn’t do anything apart from throw looks, whilst Ella and Kitty were both good but a bit yawn - and in season 4 I’m not seeing anything to make me sit up and take notice. It’s just a load of crying, lecturing and blah. Raven’s appearance threw the poor quality of the season 4 contestants into sharp relief.

Contrast that with the US where up to at least season 8 we saw something new and eye opening every season. Where are our Manila, Bianca, Alaska, Jinkx and Katya?