AntManBee

Idk. I like Nina. She brings me drama and she gives me aesthetics, and sometimes that's all I want or need. I get that RuPaul is cultivating a cetain all around winner in a cabaret sense, but Nina seems to me like a true tortured artist. And I'm loving her for it.

Good point. I had forgotten about that. Fame also hit Sharon rather hard after she won too. I could see how Absolut and Ru both might want to part company, given those two.

I know Roxxxy was less than pleasurable in how she was presented to the TV audience, but seen through the filter of the judges eyes (IE seeing only the runways and parts of the maxi challenges shown to the judges), it is easy to see how she did so well. Plus, that wig under a wig reveal! I could've crowned her just for that. I am no detective, but I have seen my fair share of Columbo and Murder, She Wrote. So of course I have some theories. Season 6 is when Logo stopped airing Untucked. The entire Untucked presentation changed. No more Form Decor, no Interior Illusions, etc. In the few seasons, the show had also lost sponsors in Al & Chuck Travel, and most notably, Absolut. I don't know what that means. But Ru is emphatic that it's her choice who wins. There were rumors in early seasons that Absolut pulled for certain winners, and a rift was created when Ru went with Sharon over Chad in Season 4. This was also the first season where Ru announced a winner at a "live" reunion special, where she crowns each finalist the winner, to "prevent spoilers." IMO this is more so Ru can read the social response to queens and crown a likable queen Jinkx and not somebody like Roxxxy (allegedly Absolut's pick) or Alaska (my speculative Ru pick, were she selecting a winner in the vacuum, like in seasons 1-3). Season 4-5, I think also represent the change of RuPaul from lovable, approachable, Drag Queen of early seasons to the polished, but likable, brand of today. This is mirrored in how contestants are farmed. Season 6 saw Adore, Bianca, and Courtney ... all alleged ringers. And even if they weren't, one would be blind not to immediately pick them as a final 3. Cast some other fun quirky (quarky) characters and put on a show! Get Ru to hashtag plug, social media, trend, monetize, brand, shill more things, and the ball keeps rolling. This becomes Season 7. The season, I believe, that was overcast with attractive ingénues, with strong social media savvy, with the intention of building social media frenzies. And it worked in a certain microcosm, while also alienating many other fans. Reaction, overall, is bad, and the pendulum swings the other way in Season 8. This graph is fascinating, and it demonstrates where I think Season 8 messed up, perhaps worse than Season 7. It starts out strong, but quickly falls off a cliff in enjoyment. It becomes painfully obvious that Bob is going to win early, that Derrick Berry is not as exciting as you'd expect a celebrity impersonator celebrity in themselves to be, and once Acid Betty is out, it all becomes so dull. The challenges begin to feel like uninspired mashups. Snatch Game disappoints. Madonna on the runway angers many. The season seems short, which too many undercooked queens getting pretty far. Some decline over the season makes sense, especially as favorites get eliminated. But, the sharp drop in ratings for Season 8 pretty much mirrors how I felt about it. Season 7, at the time, felt awful, but in hindsight, it just was an average season that came after 3 great ones (which also got progressively better). Now it almost feels like the show is auto pilot. Like a corporation that is playing it safe to make an expected profit. It produces what we want. Camp, and kitsch, and fun, and references, and aesthetics, and lip syncs, and the pit crew. Yet it somehow feels less fulfilling.

Aja was only 22 when filming, but since she was born in 1994, she had nothing to say.

Finally. What an apt choice for a LSFYL, as it was this episode that finally is putting this season in motion (for me). A fun challenge, with relevant judges, and a good lip sync! It's like Drag Race of Yore. (Except for how Ru looks). Seeing Nina Bo'Nina Lee Curtis Brown on the bottom two really cemented how much I would miss her if she were eliminated. She is a bit on the emotional edge, like most good artists. And she is a fierce queen. She also is the only queen who I feel is doing something rather new. She has a strong cosplay, theatrical, costuming juxtaposed with a sort of banji, round the way girl camp. It is so fresh and unique, at least on this show. I am pulling for her to win, and I hope this Ru-rific self-saboteur storyline means she makes it to the top three. I also am digging Trinity more than I expected to. I liked her as Aquapussy a few episodes ago, but she sort of faded into the woodwork. But when she's on, she's ON. I can see how she does well in pageants, and I appreciate that she is a competitive, calculated queen. Valentina would be my final, ideal top 3 this year. But this week I was not gagging over her hair look. I wanted fewer flowers and more buoyant hair. She said she was wearing four wigs, but she could have stopped at three (and teased them better). I did not love seeing her stoned gloves again. While she was in the top again this week, her personality is beginning to get a little cloying (for me). I want more early season Valentina. Pure sunshine, less sass. Sasha really doesn't do much for me. I get that she's smart, and sensitive, and is a bald queen, yadda yadda. But the flat boy chest, week after week, is ruining the illusion. I blame Season 7, and the painted on breasts of Pearl and Violet, along with Season 8's Naomi Smalls and her embodiment of flat chested runway models. Shea's makeup was noticeably better on the runway this week, along with Aja's. Did they edit out a makeup tutorial mini challenge? Did any else thing of Chris March's hair dresses when they saw Alexis Michelle? Farrah is a cute boy, an attractive drag queen, with pretty good runway outfits and wigs for her age. But I don't see her lasting much longer.

It might be appropriate, because... "I'm AntManBee. And I have something to say" This season sucks. The editing sucks. That there are videos on YouTube of out takes, or different footage, that make the queens more likable and engaging is very frustrating. Nobody is engaging. Nobody is a star. Valentina needs to stop relying on that body. Sasha needs to stop proving she's the smartest in the room. Shea needs a soft filter and better padding. Nina needs a life coach. I could use more untucked of Farrah smoking. IJS. Can we also talk about how Ru looks? How rumors are abound that Mathu Anderson is not doing her looks anymore, and that Raven (makeup) and Delta Work (hair) have replaced him?

I agree! Andrea was the clear elimination, though I suspect producers/Mark/somebody thought she was a contender for the finals. She did make a good cocky villian, but her two bad dishes, and being leader made it clear she was out. I also love that they one upped restaurant wars! Even if nothing looked that great, and I doubt that this is the future of high end cooking, throwing cheftestants off their toes is always fun. This is much more enjoyable than the half all stars season of Top Chef a few months ago. Other things I loved: Lidia. Curtis offering a refund while showing up Andrea. Mark being awkwardly charming while shilling the sponsors 10,000$ prize. That I have no idea who might win...

I can't quite put my finger on it, but something is off about this season. Maybe it's the HD, maybe the move to VH1, the change in nights, the changes in filming pre-2016 US Election and airing now, the GaGa focused first episode, the curious case of Lucian Piane, the newly established pattern of returning queens, or what?? But something is awry. Five episodes in and there have been no inspiring lip syncs. There is no stand out queen. The makeup and runway looks have, mostly, been harsh. The Very Special Episode themes are getting 80s sitcom strong. The challenges are beginning to feel recycled. Another lipsyncing in stage performance together... Anyways, I thought the musical itself was cute, and they all did about as well as anyone would have expected their established characters to do. Nobody impressed on the runway. We got another lipsync to a mid tempo, awkward, dance song. We got a swerve elimination. It's all so blah. UnTucked isn't providing any fun either. Alexis is a pill. Nina is a downer. Cynthia Lee is repetitive. Peppermint is there.

So glad that TCC is back! I've always enjoyed the Canadian version of Top Chef and seeing some of my favorites return makes it all the better. I am a bit bummed that neither Lisa or Thea are hosting. Is the new host well known in Canada? I was also hoping for more cheftestants from season 3 and 4. I kept waiting for Danny Smiles and Jonathan from 3, and Rich from 4. I also would've tried to cast Rob instead of Todd from season 1 ... and maybe not have cast Elizabeth. They were an easy first two offings.

Ahh,,, this show makes me so happy, when I should be so sad. A Rodham Clinton joke, filmed pre-2016 election! Alas. However, for me, there are no standouts yet. Some of these queens have seriously questionable ideas of nighties or nightwear. Valentina had a great look, and I wish we saw more of it (and others) on the runway. But seeing Trinity and Charlie in the bottom two solidified that I don't care about any of these Queens yet. I hate the way Aja draws her lips.

I really wish this was a two part episode. At the moment, I feel underwhelmed. No lip sync? No glamazon RuPaul? I feel like I've only watched the first half of the first episode from season 7. It probably doesn't help that I am meh about Lady Gaga. I am guessing they only had her available for one day, so they had to rush the intros and runway. Sadly none of the other queens are giving me much life. Maybe I'm just bitter. As a Milwaukeean, I feel I should be rooting for Jaymes. But I don't think she's long for this competition. Watching her in Untucked, and seeing her makeup up close, doesn't help. In fact airing in HD is not too kind to many of these queens skin, makeup, or hairlines. They all could use a good Vaseline filter.

Some bar aired the first 20 minutes of the episode and camera footage from the event has found its way online. First outfit impressions were, interesting. But it was all a set up for the creative introduction of Gaga into the workroom. I like how the initial reaction was Derrick Berry pt. 2 ... before they slowly began to realize.

Milo Yiannopoulos should have some free time available for a troll doll themed challenge.

I did not have a problem with Brooke teasing Sheldon about 'thermos.' It seemed like the kind of good natured ribbing that friends do to each other. When she realized he wasn't playing along, or didn't get the joke, she dropped it and listened politely, looking interested and mildly sentimental while Sheldon spoke. I think Padma is rather funny in a dry sort of way. Her comment to Casey was a witty read, and for Padma, the library is always open.

I like John, but how can he say he likes a woman in front and that it is not sexist? Either own that it's sexist or keep the thought to yourself. I was pleasantly shocked that Katsuji went home. I didn't expect him to be called on his passive aggressive gameplay. How did Sheldon get away with one dish? I wish he had stepped up more.

I really enjoy how these kids dress to express. Rene was the easy offing. I have a feeling we will see him on Drag Race after he turns 21 in an Adore DeLano who sews story arc. I liked Allie's art gallery jacket and pants. In that I could actually see it going from a creative minded, upper scale office setting by day, and creative minded, upper scale event at night. I didn't even mind the Mario jumpsuit. I just wish Chelsea sold it that her model was a plumber or a mechanic, and her outfit could take it from her job to her 90s rave party immediately afterwards.

I just don't see it. It seems this article writer has a type. Too me, Sam has always come off as a bit smarmy, greasy, and self important. I also disagree with the author in that I don't think his working with diabetes really makes him sensitive. His Marcel bullying and victim blaming didn't endear him to me at all either. I also find Fabio quite repugnant (and also smarmy, greasy, and self important). I always had a soft spot for Gregory (S12), Jeff (S5), Louis (S11), and Dale L and Hung (S3). [edited to get my seasons correct]

The dress is a reference to the final scene in Hairspray (the original, I couldn't bear to watch the remake). Tracey Turnblad, after previously being mocked for supposedly having roaches crawling in her hair, arrives at the Miss Auto Show 1963 to claim her victory crown in a pink dress covered in roaches. Then all the Corny Collins kids start to do Tracy's newest dance, "The Roach." With dance moves mimicking squishing and squashing roaches, or the itchy feeling of bugs all over your body. It's quite a charming scene to cap off John Waters most family friendly film.

I have admittedly been a Roxxxy defender for most of the season. Now I am actually beginning to feel bad for Roxxxy. Many times I feel she in unfairly ganged up upon and seen by many the new scapegoat villain now that Phi Phi is gone. My issue with this is that Roxxxy literally hasn't done anything villainous. Rather she has been a supportive friend. While she is not the most competitive queen left, and certainly bombed a couple challenges, she is not the one making the final decisions. Katya was the first lip syncer to select Roxxxy. I suspect Ru/WoW really have a part in selecting who wins the Lip Syncs depending on which lip stick case they selected, but again, that is not Roxxxy's fault. I stand by my opinion from last week. The T-Boz look was cute, for a second. It does not stand up to scrutiny though. The look supposedly references the Creep video, but doesn't look anything like luxurious nightwear. Instead, she came off looking more sporty, like Da Brat, then sultry like T-Boz. Knowing three simple dance moves from 1995 doesn't impress me much. In Raja & Raven's Toot or Boot, they also note Tati's shoe choice, which upon reflection, was unfortunate. I find it interesting that Alyssa supposedly 'flipped the script' by not eliminating Katya, the weakest contestant that week... then Detox eliminates Alyssa, instead of Alaska, who was clearly the weakest of this week. Alaska's melt down was sort of legendary. I felt like I was watching Gloria Swanson or Joan Crawford. It was a train wreck of emotions, but so marvelously captivating and campy. At the beginning of the season, I was excited for the elimination, Survivor-like, changes that were made. It certainly has made the season more interesting. I don't blame queens for playing strategically, or saving their friends in hopes their friends save them (a strategy in itself...), or simply picking the worst of the week. I can't hate on any of the queens or their choices because, really, its a drag queen "reality" show. I think it's getting a little eerie how fervent many online are reacting to the show. While I didn't listen to the interview, I understand the literal sentiment Katya is making. But I am a little surprised that Katya, with admitted self confidence issues, would be so cavalier about online bullying ... which finds ways to mess with one's psyche and often can develop and fester a type of feeling that can develop into actual in-person violence. Bullying is mostly about harassment and creating unease, and it sounds like she is almost excusing the online bullying of others because she is currently the Chosen One by the social media populous. Maybe she elaborates more?

Except it was not just Alaska that has not eliminated Roxxxy. Katya, Phi Phi, Tati, and Alyssa all had the opportunity to do so and none of them selected Roxxxy. Maybe Katya did this week... But even if she did, Roxxxy is not doing anything but playing by he new rules... And I don't even think she's trying to orchestrate some tomfoolery. She's just a very competent drag queen, and her competitors seem to respect her for that.

I have unpopular opinions. Probably because I spend far too much time thinking about All Stars 2, and how meta it has become. I am over Alaska not wearing real heels during her LSFYLegacies. First it was that ridiculous squat kitten heel. Then combat boots under a Lil' Poundcake costume. This week, I hesitate to even call them heels. Maybe a slightly arched sandal? Any other queen would be called out on taking off heels for a lip sync, or continuously wearing god awful shoes, but somehow Alaska gets a pass. It is beginning to concern me. Katya is not much better. In both her lip syncs she wore ridiculously ugly footwear. Let's be honest, lip syncing is not her strongest attribute either. She can do a couple of tricks, but never really seems to engage with the song. She tends to get repetitive really quickly, as also seen by the three poses in her runway walk. Alaska is not much better, but she is slightly more dynamic on stage. I also love Roxxxy and am glad she is still around. She has a brand, and it's a bit old school pageant, a bit throwback, but it is on point. From watching online vids, Rucaps, etc... it seems that other queens really respect Roxxy's craftmanship when it comes to drag. I can see that being a reason she continues to do well when peers are selecting who goes home. She continues to give variety on the runway even if she's lackluster in the challenges. I thought she had the best runway look of the week and maybe the best wig(s) I've seen all season. I loved that Tati came out as T-Boz for about one GIFs moment of time. As she stood on the runway, she looked a little flazéda. It seemed odd to be the only one in Snatch Game drag. I am curious as to how Detox would have interpreted Cherry Bomb.

I cannot express how happy I am for Ru in winning the Emmy. It was metamental on so many ways, and I am so proud for him.

I have a confession. The live lip-sync challenges are usually my least favorite. Philosophically, the Runway was quite interesting. Alaska: I half loved the Britney/Eve number. Sometimes Alaska bores me though. The screaming on the runway is a touch affected, no? I am glad she was called to task for presenting a rather boring future of drag for queen with such a conceptual backstory. Alyssa Edwards: An expected winner. It helped to have a lively historic number too. I wasn't exactly watching her lip sync as much as Pit Crew guys bulge, but between the two, it was my favorite number. Her runway was my favorite too. It was so much of everything. Toddlers and Tiaras 3000, and I got it. Detox: Marie Antoinette was great, and Detox delivered in a part that was a bit safe. At least she hit it out of the park. However I liked her Antoinette look better than the runway. I get that gurl loves Mugler, but really ... I was getting more Phoenix Space Age boy-body than Cybernetic Woman from a George Michael video. I yawned while others gagged. I don't get it. She is too referential to me to truly embody the future of anything. Sorry 'bout it. Ginger: I was mildly offended that Catherine the Great's song was entirely about her horseplay legacy. Given all she did in expanding, uniting, and modernizing Russia, I expected a bit more. An aside, sure. The legend was born out of exaggerating her excesses, but the whole song? It angered some little feminist voice inside of me throughout the number. Her runway outfit was truly awful. She should have tried to sell the idea of the future of drag is booger/glamour toad/Divine style drag. Mmmmmaybe she could of swayed one of them. (If that mattered) Katya: It is interesting that Diana was the only contemporary(ish) woman included, but interesting for opening the dialogue in how we interpret and remember celebrities. This should be remembered during Snatch Game. I am roughly Katya's age and remember Diana as a reserved, quiet figure who met a tragic end, so a somber interpretation seems a little fitting. The Diana outfit and her runway were both the absolute worst. Seriously, her runway might be the worst in Drag Race Herstory. At least All Stars Herstory. Phi Phi: It doesn't seem too fair to perform as a fictional character. But I guess Alaska got to be Eve. Her lipsync number was basic, but she didn't fuck it up. I loved her runway though, it was a look. Maybe it doesn't hold up to much scrutiny, but the initial impact was superb. I only wish it was a little more resolved around the eyes and hairline. Roxxxy Andrews: Eva Peron may have had my favorite tune. Roxxxy performed it well. She was certainly middle of the pack. Though her runway was not my favorite, it was a well conceptualized idea of the future of Drag in a very literal sense. Basic. Not actively eye searing bad though. I was not enthralled with the Lip Sync for Your Legacy. It seems clear that the Queens were told their HERstoric women to prepare a costume/wig ahead of time. Perhaps this is why the whole number, in hindsight, seems a very Euro-centric interpretation of historically important women. This makes me all the more curious who Coco, Adore, and Tati were assigned? My 2 AM guesses: Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, Pocahontas.

I did not get the love for Detox's runway. Rather, it struck me as reductive of Violet Chachki. The pants were too short as well. I get why Alyssa wasn't in the top two. Her Joan Crawford was visually spot on, but she was in her own world ... spouting off the best lines from Mommie Dearest ... without really interacting with the other queens or coming up with clever responses to the questions that weren't more Mommie Dearest quips. At least Alaska's Mae West was a updated, raunchier, version of the Mae West shtick. I could have used Alyssa in the lip sync though, as I found Alaska and Katya's lip sync ... dare I say... boring. What is going on with Phi Phi's makeup? Shes been looking very brickish around the jawline.

RuPaul: You're all wrong, because it's Porkchop.