Rai

I don't know why I can't connect with Jonbers, but it's just completely bizarre to me that she's in the finale. Well, good on yer, girl, but I don't think you'll be a winner. I did enjoy her connection to the roast coach, and she definitely had some great jokes, so she earned her safe spot. Just...weird that she earned her safe spot into the finale. Smart money is on Danny Beard, I guess, and I would be super happy with that. Except I think Cheddar Gorgeous is a more polished queen in looks, and I love everything about her. The brains, the dry humor, the advocacy. Cheddar's my fave, in short, and I hope she wins. But a gender-bender like Danny Beard is overdue (plus more big girls), and they're incredibly charming and talented and personable. If Cheddar wasn't here, I'd be team Danny all the way. Black Peppa is a delight and should slay on a future all-stars. Her confidence and presence came through that lip sync, She kept getting sexier and punkier with each strip-down too. I can see how she underdogged herself into the finale a lot more clearly than I can Jonbers, we'll put it that way. I just don't think she'll be a winner either. Uh, that's all I can sum up, the end!

Victoria Scone!!!!!!! I love her. Kendall, I like you, but getting "Pangina'ed" means a clear frontrunner is ruthlessly cut during her one misstep. You...uh...you were no Pangina here. I'm glad Stephanie Prince survived just because I think she did go home too soon in her season, but I remain concerned. On the flip side, I didn't think I could love Rita Baga more, and yet, here we are. But making a crack at someone's lips being done when you've clearly gone through some work yourself...gurl. Vanity Millan seems a little stuck on her own talking points, but what a pleasure it is to see her doing so well. She tore that lip sync up. I was SHOCKED that Silky was just safe though. Honestly, that's the most stunning thing she's ever worn on the runway, and it was the moment. Rajah was great, but of the two, I ranked Silky higher. I found her exhausting on season 11 -- both of them, tbh. But I'm happy to give them their chances based on what I heard about them on All-Stars. They seem more focused and polished for sure. Lastly, poor Anita Wiglet. She was a total weirdo who I had to warm up to on Down Under, but her elimination felt so unwarranted. And she's clearly talented, but her looks are too basic in comparison to everyone else's. I hope she'll do great in the Snatch Game, but after that, I fear she'll be leaving sooner than later. Brook Lynn, the mullet has to go. You're too hot to do this to yourself.

I think we're supposed to hate Ashley, so it's working! That said, she really does connect well to the kids and if she just has the right guidance, she could be helpful and professional in the long run. That body-ody-ody thing she was doing with the skeleton was actually engaging the kids. I know Jacob is trying to come from a place of love when he encourages Melissa to be more engaged, but I think Melissa can understand the value of getting an aide under control on the basis of manipulation as well. (What? She's resourceful!) It'd be great to just fire Ashley if she could, but Ava won't let her. So she's gotta learn how to channel Ashley into a better place. That's growth too!

I recently caught up on all of the show, and I'm all in. It's been years since I regularly watched any kind of sitcom, tbh. This one's pretty special. That said, I wanted to really sing the praises of the superintendent since Reggie Hayes was one of my favorites from GIRLFRIENDS, and it's delightful to see him in this role. Frankly, if William Dent did retire from law, being a superintendent and having an affair with a gal from his church wouldn't be out of character for him. It's very hard for me to believe that Ava could keep her job under any circumstances at this point, but sometimes, suspension of disbelief is crucial to enjoying something that's mainly just fun and fluffy. I also loved that the garden was still going on. Hopefully Barbara and Jacob have actually learned a little about how to do it correctly!

I think Dakota and Jonbers were tied for second, and Dakota edged out Jonbers for the runway, so a bummer there. But Cheddar Gorgeous is my queen, and this week she really proved it. I don't think she was an hall of snatch game famer, but everything she said made me laugh. Nailed it. I would've switched Pixie and Danny because I think Pixie's runway was better, but they both bombed surprisingly hard. I have no idea why Black Peppa didn't even have a lyric or two to quote as Little Nas X, but I hope someone else does him soon because great choice. I wish I'd seen Le Fil as Posh Spice, but he probably would've struggled there too. I will miss Le Fil! Hilarious interviews and stunning runways. But this cast is pretty strong by now, so each loss will be tough to call and tough to bear. Cheddar Gorgeous remains the one to beat, IMO, but Danny might rebound. Pixie really does get in her head a little too much, which is surprising but very clear by now.

I've loved Danny right from the start, but her runway hasn't been on the level it needs to be until this challenge. Legit surprised Danny won the improv challenge considering Ru basically laughed at her runway -- and not in a delighted way. So strong contender, yes, absolute winner, no. Cheddar Gorgeous is still my pick for the win, although that's partly big favoritism. The smart money would be on Black Peppa, I think. Young and fierce with good instincts that Ru can polish up. However, Cheddar keeps pulling out spectacular looks and hasn't underperformed, even when it's not her wheelhouse. Glam weirdos forever.

It seemed like it could've been a well-deserved double shantay. They killed it. Dakota couldn't keep up with Baby, but the fake-out exit was perfect. Girl, you could do some more theater! Legit shocked though that Le Fil was safe. Everyone did pretty well in this challenge, so it was hair-splitting, but I'm with Alan that Le Fil didn't quite connect for me. A shame because I adore him and that outfit. That outfit probably saved him. Also, I agree with Michelle -- personal best makeup on Baby. Keep doing that! Her runway was fantastic. I liked them all, even Jonburrs. I've been counting that queen out from the start, but the bird girl was amazing. Possibly the best performance up there, tbh. But I can't argue with Danny Beard. Great job, showstopping runway. Weird that Pixie Polite gave up the lead role though. Talk about an inner saboteur?

She refused to vote in the silly awards thing? Oh gurl, if you're not going to play the game, of course you're going to get booted. Sorry, that's not integrity, that's just posturing.

The winners were clear as day for the fashion challenge. Wow, Baby and Dakota Schiffer looked fantastic. My hands-down favorite is Cheddar Gorgeous, of course. The wit, the aesthetic, the confidence -- queen of my heart and the deserving final winner, IMO. I also love Danny Beard. I'm all in on bearded queens these days, and I enjoy how he keeps changing it up. That's what the judges will want to see. Le Fils is another top fave. Their handling of Sminty was so good -- indulging Sminty's breakdown while also giving the tough love needed to push their team forward. Sminty is hilarious and stunning in drag, so she may go far. But good god, girl, get a grip. Black Peppa is a lip sync assassin, especially for the UK edition. I can see her a top contender. Baby is fun and more polished than I expected. Pixie Polite is definitely a fun contender. Really, the only one who I see as filler is Jonburr Blonde. I can't believe she escaped lip synching, and although she was great against Starlet, nothing about her impresses me in comparison to the other dolls. Copper Top gave me big Pandora Boxx vibes: Hilarious, beloved, and overlooked by the judges. That said, that was an Alexis Michelle-level look, and the white boots were all wrong. If she'd worn black, maybe she could've squeaked by. I get the Barbarella homage, but then it needs something more structured, like a Gaultier cage dress element or something. Cheddar Gorgeous was, well, gorgeous, and her look could've been adjusted into a gown very easily. They could've just gone for rich bitch eleganza and again, probably would've squeaked by. Anyway, Copper Top will be missed by me. I can't believe she went home over Jonburrs first. But that's the way the game is played.

I mean, it's one thing to assume you don't need to know how to sew in order to ace/squeak by in these challenges, but I'm always surprised by the queens who act shocked -- SHOCKED! -- that this challenge is happening to THEM. Watch the show before you apply, queens. It really isn't news at this point. Don't love Spankie's drag, but I love her interviews so I'm glad she stayed. I thought Kween's concept was so rock solid that she wouldn't be in the bottom (especially given her hair and makeup, which were impeccable), but maybe they're trying to rock her a little to see what this apparent legend is made of. Minnie is great, two of the queens seem interchangeable out of drag, and the super cute one I can't remember who she is IN drag (possibly the scary queen?). Nonetheless, the DU queens are always pretty hilarious and charming to me, so I'm down to give this season its due for now.

I'm gonna speak up in favor of the lip sync showdown. I want the queens to get more creative and evocative with how they manage these lip syncs in the finale, but the idea in and of itself is not flawed. There's always some big finale competition that ends reality shows, even lovely, gentle ones like GBBO, and my interest in watching the finales went way up after they started doing more than the reunion on stage. Top Chef, you cook the meal of your life. Project Runway, you make a collection. ANTM, you had to walk in a "real" show, etc. If the lip sync is how each queen potentially lives or dies during the competition, then it only makes sense that to have it be the final arbiter (outside of Ru just picking her fave). I will say that nothing has topped season 9 for spectacle and surprise, but season 12 came close! It may have been done on zoom, but that pushed the creativity. Maybe the producers need to take a few notes from what made that work and think about how to apply them to a live format. Season 10 had the unfortunate Butterfly Effect. Season 11 was season 11. Season 13 was playing to an empty theater and a little too overproduced. Season 14 also seemed overproduced and had too many finalists (sorry, Daya, it's true though). But the concept is sound, it just needs rethinking. You can't manufacture the lightning in a bottle that was Sasha Velour's performances, but she did what Ru always tells the queens -- figure out what it is you do well and apply it to everything. She did props and fashion to a high level and therefore no one cared about her lack of choreo. Jaida does performance and her own costumes and managed to push both of those to overcome a zoom format. The queens have to be more clever, and the producers (possibly Ru) have to let them be more clever.

Aw, such a bummer. Season 3 holds a soft spot in my heart for some reason, and Howie was a big part of that as he veered between lovable grouch and pain in the ass. He seemed talented, and the charitable acts are a good reminder that reality TV can only capture so much about someone. Total sympathies to his friends and family.

I can't speak French, so I'm definitely winging it with the subtitles only. I'm glad it did not go unnoticed!

I'm not mad at Kam winning the ball challenge since her pigeon look alone was genius. However, the Grande Dame was....grande. I love her boy drag too. She's like young, hot, French David Byrne in all her oversize suits and huge height and I am LIVING. Once in a lifetime indeed! I also thought Lolita Banana did way better than she was given credit for, and I loved Bertha's accordion, so what do I know. I didn't think Soa deserved to be on the bottom for the ball though. I did find it interesting that Briochee and Soa largely used the beach stuff as accessories and didn't get read for that. I loved Elips using the mussels as earrings, but the rest of her outfit was tragique (although I thought the pants moved beautifully). I have no idea why no one used the beach chair that had the white and red patterned fabric. It seemed full of potential! Snatch Game! The only name I recognized was the Spanish actress. Oh well. Solid Snatch Game, although this was a place where Nicky actually faltered. Ru makes the hosting so smooth by giving the queens lines to work off and doesn't come off repetitive when she informs them it's not a match. Once again, though, I don't quite understand the judging because I thought Elips NAILED it on both the runway and the challenge. Only safe? What the hell? I thought Soa and the Grande Dame were great, but if Elips didn't win it (and I thought she should), then Paloma was the clear winner to me. A little wild that she couldn't win the other challenge that should've been perfect for her, but she's still a strong contender. Correct bottom two though. I was very worried for Lolita, but I thought she was stronger than both Kam and Big Bertha. I've been uncomfortable with the way the other queens have been talking about her -- France isn't always known for its tolerance -- but it was nice that they rallied around her once they saw how deep Soa's words cut her. I'm rooting for her to SLAY next episode and have that shining moment at least. Library was a mixed bag, but clear highlight was Big Bertha calling Paloma the critic from Ratatouille. A palpable hit! I also admire the Grande Dame's nerve in reading Nicky -- if not her originality because Rita Bagga did that on Canada Drag Race to Brook Lynn. Stealing from the French Canadian? The scandal of it all!

Halal Bae had so much energy in that lip sync and a more consistently interesting POV. Not off to a great start there. I like everyone for the most part, although I'm not super feeling Miss Fiercealicious -- which is fine because she's clearly feeling herself. Giselle Lullaby is probably my fave interviewee now that Halal Bae is gone already, although Bombae is filling her mother's shoes well there. But there's something about Giselle's "stupid" persona that just works for me. I like Canada Drag Race, I do. But. I do not love the judges. That it takes three of them to do Brook Lynn's job. That Traci is reading everything off a cue card -- or at least sounds like it. And a little Goreski goes a long way. Glad we're going to get to see Jimbo this season though. If they're auditioning replacements....*coffs*

Oh, and I forgot to mention, if the subtitle really does mean "There can be only one Queen!" then that's hilarious. Because then it feels like a shout-out to Christopher Lambert, the original Highlander, who's French American, and who has been in very successful outings in both countries. Maybe a coincidence! But you never know with this overall franchise.

After watching the first two episodes, I'm pretty charmed. Nicky Doll is killing it as host. Much better than Brook Lynn if you ask me. They all seem fairly supportive of one another -- like, they all really cheered for Paloma. I look at Paloma and see a resemblance to Hugacio from the first season of Drag Race Espana and remember how Dovima was pretty mean to them. The contrast is stark is what I'm saying. Also, she may have underwhelmed everywhere else, but honestly, Lova could turn a lip sync. If she'd kept her wig on for the second one, I think she might've had a stronger chance. I didn't want to lose Soa so-a early, but she didn't seem to know the lyrics very well. The drag kings were terrific, and I want more of them in al franchises (and a bearded queen on drag race original recipe). I guess la Bertha didn't do great, but the door slam on Isabelle's face was perfect. Justice for Elips's mime and alien flowers! Stunning. The read by Marianne James on the acting of La Grande Dame was epic. It wasn't mean, it wasn't scoring points just for the sake of it, it was just factual, and even Michelle Visage would be in awe. Overall, the judging isn't quite as incisive as Espana, but it's still critical without being too mean, and the permanent co-judges are delights. I'm in! I'm charmed!

This isn't exactly a media post, but I wasn't sure where also to post it. My fantasy concept for an All-Stars line-up would be SECOND-PLACE QUEENS! I put together a list based on the following criteria: 1. Original recipe DR queens who were clearly the second place contenders and who did not win their All-Stars season 2. In the event a second-place queen has won all-stars, a third-place queen can take the spot instead 3. Totally cool with using queens from other franchises, but I stuck to original recipe queens for my line-up Season 1 -- Nina Flowers Season 2 -- Raven Season 3 -- Manilla Luzon Season 4 -- Tricky because Chad Michaels won the first All-Stars, but I can't imagine Phi Phi O'Hara wanting to return? Season 5 -- Since Alaska is now a winner, looks like Roxy Andrews. Season 6 -- Courtney Act since Adore tapped out of All-Stars early Season 7 -- Ginger Minge was the clear second-place runner, but she's been on a lot. On the other hand: Pearl. Ginger it is! Season 8 -- Kim Chi (no clear second-place queen, and Naomi has already done all-stars) Season 9 -- Peppermint Season 10 -- Tricky again because Eurkea just had an all-star shot. Kameron Michaels would be a twist though. Asia O'Hara is my bae, but I don't think she'd be into returning. Season 11 -- Brooklyn Hytes. Would a judge compete again? If not, well, uh. Silky again, I guess. Season 12 -- Gigi Goode was probably the second-place queen, but I wouldn't say no to more Crystal Methyd Season 13 -- Kandy Muse. Wouldn't say no to Gottmik though. Season 14 -- Lady Camden! A season of Nina Flowers, Raven, Manilla, Phi Phi (why not), Roxy Andrews without her clique, Courtney Act, Ginger Minge, Kim Chi, Peppermint, Kameron Michaels, Brooklyn, Gigi Goode, Kandy Muse, and Lady Camden. I would live.

Man, it's so true though. The hardest part of breaking up really is getting back your stuff.

Finally watched the reunion and the finale the other day. Charming cast as always, but honestly, some segments do go on a little bit too long. That said, that was a pretty complicated performance! But with the way Sharonne can belt it out, how could anyone else win? Plus her final runway look and the clever glitter moment during the final lip sync -- honestly, the level of polish. Too much. I hope there's another season! It's my favorite of the non-Ru joints, even over Canada. It helps me with my rusty Spanish, the judges are excellent, and the queens are always fascinating. But maybe some better pacing, editors.

I think it's Girls 5evah, but I'm delighted to see I'm not the only who remembers their calculus! Also, I'm glad Yvie got her star. My dream top four are probably Jaida, Raja, Jinkx, and Yvie, but I'm guessing the Viv will bump out one of these queens. Shea, Monet, and Trinity have had enough second chances and have won, sooooo.

I read "2gether4ever" and I got too excited hoping that somehow it was a shout-out to the finest boy band of all time. Alas. Gone but not 4gotten.

That is a delight. Sorry, Jameela, but "she's still here" sent me. As is the case with all villain judges, I'm exhausted by Law, but always breathless with anticipation as to whether he's going to be kind that night or no. Correct pick of best guest judges too. I'm still in awe over how great Kelly Rowland was!

I agree. I was talking about Yvie though, not the Viv. I would've definitely put Yvie in the top three.

Uggggggghhhhhh (in a good way). The All-Stars 7 cast did a collab with Vogue to recreate vintage covers, and I love them all, even the more abstract ones. My faves are the Viv and Yvie. They're all amazing though, and leave it to Raja to be the most conceptual. https://www.vogue.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-7-cast-recreates-vogue-covers