Rai

I think leading up to it, La Voix's one big hurdle is that she and Ginger Johnson were too similar to each other when it came time to think about who should be the queen. Older performance queen with a penchant for comedy and red wigs, ya know? But also, the final lip sync was pretty decisively Kyran, and I couldn't argue with that. But such was the power of both that I was genuinely in suspense. I always love it when the freaky alt weirdo wins, so I'm not mad at all. And I hope Marmalade ends up on an all-star soon. Great job all around! I love this version and I can't wait for it to return! (Hopefully with recappers stepping up once more!)

Well, they've set it up to go either way with this episode: Michael Marouli and Ella warning the queens that the winner of the roast doesn't necessarily win the crown vs. the judges comparing La Voix's performance to Bianca Del Rio. I have no inner knowledge one way or the other, I just hope it's La Voix and can easily see it being Kyran instead.

I almost felt like Ru was mad or impatient with Lill on this episode, which surprised me because I thought she liked Lill. **I** liked Lill, and while it's clear Rileasa dominated that lip sync, I thought Lill was a better overall performer in the competition. But it's fine. It's a good top four. Normally Kyran is the kind of queen I root for to win, but something about La Voix has charmed me right from the start. She is that polished and talented. Marmalade is hilarious and the one who I think did the roast the hardest, but it's true La Voix's was just so effortless. I feel like that was the biggest factor. Her set flowed so naturally while everyone else did pause/check notes/try to remember their jokes. So, correct winner for the roast, and hopefully, the winner of the crown. I won't be mad if it's anyone else, but so far, only Kyran has been serious competition.

It's weird because Marmalade's Elton John look was phenomenal, and she can sing, but that was probably my least favorite number. Maybe it was just the song arrangement itself. I would've also endorsed Rilesa for the win just because holy cow, her voice. I'd also like to say that Actavia was charming AF, but her Geri Halliwell wig was a legit crime. Oh my god.

I wish this season was getting more attention! None of my go-to recappers are covering it, and only one other in-person friend seems to be watching it. Ru called this one of the most charming casts, and I agree. The way they all applauded Charra during rehearsal was so sweet! Correct winner in the rusical tonight, although based on her runway look, I thought Marmalade might finally have won it. Maybe when she called Michelle Kris Jenner, she sealed her doom, though. (lol)

I also enjoyed Last Bite Hotel! It had actual fun twists and gimmicks, and the Will and Testament part was particularly clever. Everyone played it up pretty well, very little drama, and the conflict that did occur was pretty organic to the stressful conditions. Brittany really proved herself in this format after struggling in Top Chef, and that was great to see, but I admit I was enough of a jerk to laugh when one guy was like, "I've seen Brittany on Top Chef, so I know she's competitive!" Bro, you saw her when she left on episode three of her season after being in the bottom two in the previous episode? Aw, I kid, Brittany. You did great.

As a goth gal of a certain age, I'm sort of obligated to love the Girl Groups track this season, but it's a genuine bop, and the ghouls all did well! I was very into it. Kyran SLAYED (pun kinda intended) the performance, not just verse-wise and dance moves, but her face especially. Incredible work. Still, I was glad Rilesa finally got her just recognition. She's so fab. I love La Voix's enthusiasm, and she has the best singing chops (even over Kiki, who has an amazing talent, but she hasn't polished and honed it like La Voix has), but did no one pull her aside and say, "Girl, you look like a drag chicken"? Because girl. You looked like a drag chicken.

I caught up over the weekend. Great start to the season so far! I agree, the UK version might be my favorite RuPaul-hosted version these days. The queens just have the ability to be mean in a fun way and to read one another their business when necessary. They're often funnier, and even if the drag isn't as polished, it's more experimental. Here for it. Since an older queen won last season, I'm thinking it won't go to La Voix this time, but she's definitely very polished in an old-school way. I don't have everyone's names down, but my top three right now are Rileasa, the weirdo who won the first episode, and the Old Hollywood Welsh one. Lilla is another dark horse contender though. Looking forward to the girl groups!

Oh no, poor Shirley. She's always been one of my favorites. I'm rooting for her!

Huh, I watched it on Peacock yesterday. Weird! It was a fun episode, and I'm so happy to see Mei get more of a spotlight. She's one of my favorite winners, and it feels like she's overlooked a lot of times.

You are correct! I heard it too and laughed. That concept seemed to quietly recede though. I think managing Manny was a huge part of Danny's success, and I think that's what convinced me to be okay with Danny's win. As Gail used to say, Chef is French for "chief," being a leader in the kitchen. Danny made his expectations clear, regrouped as needed, and kept Manny in line with his vision. Props to Manny for buckling down and doing what Danny needed as well, but Danny had a clear idea of what he wanted and who he picked to help him, and for me, that goes a long way. That said, Damanda will always make me happy largely for seeing Amanda back in action. Outside of tuna 'jam," (gross), I can't remember anything Dan cooked, so. Sorry, dude. But good job throughout the season. Terrible Emeril impersonation though! Poor Savannah, but also to make it to the finale? Even on a meh season? She's going to be fine, and if her menu had been more flawlessly executed, she could've made some of it signature dishes in her future. That first course sounds like it might be one already. Lastly, I admit, I was so surprised at how low-key Emeril was, I actually looked online to see if he'd had any ill health reported recently. I hope he's doing great and just slowly down as part of the aging gracefully process.

But why is it okay that Danny can just jump in and claim the fish he wants, but somehow it's greedy of Laura to advocate for the one she wants? I ask this rhetorically.

I don't think Dan was lying. I think he really believed Tom liked his dish. I also don't particularly find him arrogant. I'm just not quite on his wavelength.

Morimoto looked great! How fun for him to zoom through and give these poor shlubs the meal of their lives. I kid, they're fine. But going from Morimoto sushi extravaganza to their meal is a difference in quality, probably. I don't see anything wrong with Laura going for the fish she wants. It's a competition. I also don't think giving up the snapper hurt her. As Tom likes to say, it was the execution. Dan doesn't bug me in an arrogant way, but I'm not particularly rooting for him either. That said, if he chooses Amanda as his sous chef next episode, I'll root for him a lot because Danmanda was one of the funnier high points of the season, and I like having her on camera. I'm rooting for Savannah by default, I feel, and she's nice and clearly talented. But she's admitted open-ended challenges and multiple options are her big challenges, and the final meal is exactly those two things. I think it's Danny's to lose, but of course, the best story to tell would be Dan winning. Still, good luck, Savannah!

Well, it had to happen. There was finally a guest who wasn't made more charming by being on the Dish with Kish. For all that Marcel was weird and precious about his hair and food, he's mellowed out a whole lot. Mustache Joe is still everything that was exhausting about him on his season of Top Chef, and so while it's authentically him, he's still someone I would avoid like the plague at a party. But the food did look good even though I hate all seafood (except ironically, smoked salmon. I love dark chocolate too!). Anyway, this little thang has honestly been my favorite part of the whole season and whether Kristin continues as host or not, they should DEFINITELY continue this production. 10/10, no notes other than less Sasto.