phoenix780

The only criticism of Jan I thought was fair was when Ru said something about how all stars are full of themselves they just can't always show it. Telling Jan she comes off self-absorbed and that makes it harder to connect with her seems reasonable. The generic keep it real stuff was, I agree, hard to watch. I don't see the desperate side of Scarlet, but I fully cop to being biased because I feel like she was overlooked intentionally in past challenges, and they were heavy handed at judging to help nudge her out. Kylie and Pandora may have shared the least, but I thought they were the most entertaining. Kylies comment to RaJah was quotable, Pandora retained some humor. I'd rather that then what Ginger did (which makes me rethink her whole big-girl-pride shtick). I can see why Ginger won the lip sync, not that she had as hard an assassin as we've seen, but how did she even get there? It just irks me, feeling like she was handed $30k for nothing.

I will dramatically say this is the worst challenge I've ever seen on reality TV. Why did Ginger win, if she moderated and her team failed? Because she revealed the most (wanting to be a parent, having a childhood illness)? It felt like exploitation, and wrapping each segment with a fake sex toy was really weird in context. Like they were supposed to have been funny. And, RuPaul reached this level of fame famous a lot of vulnerability, so... I thought the whole thing was confusing, uncomfortable, and boring.

This was bad. The songs they remixed for the performances were almost all terrible, IMHO. Especially for all stars they should just cut them loose. Why couldn't they have had to make a fake half time show on their own? Give a track, let them do the rest? I'm glad others didn't agree with the judges. To me it was another episode with a pre written script the editors couldn't (or didn't) back up with footage, which sucks after last week but isn't unexpected. I'm glad Yara didn't beg. I'd have put RaJah in the bottom unless Diana Ross having armpit hair is a thing. I'd have put Pandora or Scarlet in the top over Eureka, who I'd swear had her back turned for half the performance (bad choreo). But, it's pretty clear neither of those two are going to factor into anything.

This was my favorite episode in a long time. The judging was on point, Trinity got redemption, and Laganja won the game within a game by showing up for one episode and crushing it instead of coming back to be edited (and spend a ton on costumes). Maybe nobody can watch it, but so far I feel like it's good for the show to be off VH1. I almost felt bad for Silky, but she didn't seem to work on her skills she just got quieter. Maybe she needed another year or two away to sort the legit criticism from the general hate. I'm relieved she's gone. Also, wasn't she out in the club during covid times with Vanjie and Shangela? That's...not cool. I watched the Brady Bunch episode too, and also figure Kylie Sonique must win or come close. Not mad at that, but I thought the special was boring.

Crystal was right about the literal definition of the word she chose, but it still has other implications when deployed in our current environment. Someone willing to rattle off definitions should be smart enough to know that. That said, I'd like more of the fun talk about the media and less about what's apparently the only moment they delivered that's worth airtime. I need fun shows, this is getting tedious. I'm trying to pretend it's just because of how tense and uncertain things were in general at that time.

I thought RaJah looked good, and it was boring. I liked Kylie the best, but I'm really liking her in general so I may be a bit blinded. Eureka reminded me what the origin of my dislike for her is during her chat with Ru. I feel like she's A Big Girl first and a person/entertainer second. More than that, I sometimes get the vibe she thinks she's a pioneer or trailblazer and she's teaching me something, but, like, this show has a history of talented plus size queens (why is Darienne Lake not on AS?). To me she's a combination of dismissive of others and arrogant, in ways her talent doesn't support. Her third look was too short in a way that didn't look good, imho, whether or not it's bold for her to wear something like that at her size. I was pleasantly shocked Yara survived.

I'd rather see the bottom contestant face off against the winner, or a random lip sync assassin. I think this was probably the least entertaining variety show, but it wasn't as horrible as I anticipated when it came to judging so overall not bad. I wish Yara were showcased on VH1, mostly to see if they would have allowed that talent performance, but also because I think she deserves to be more famous.

This was a good outcome for a disappointing season. It felt too American to me, for lack of a better term, especially all the pop psychology in the final episode. The whole... Thinking so much (and talking so much) about yourself your trauma and your motives for living didn't feel authentic here. It's almost insulting to me as a viewer to think I have to have this be part of the show. I hope we get a second season without RuPaul and Michelle.

I can't tell if Sutton is a real person or a person who acted out to secure a full time slot on the show. I mean, I know she's real but this all seems a little much to be authentic.

Wait, it's on Paramount plus? Totally missed that. I already have it for The Real World, so, neat. It's a tough cast though. Silky and Eureka, to get to see Pandora and Yara..maybe I'll watch it spoiled.

Gottmik isn't a strong lip syncer, but she's creative and smart. She wouldn't out dance Symone. She could have a better reveal, but as production you'd know what it is in advance. You can kill it if you want, or just kill the impact in the way you edit the performance, but it's not likely she'd pull out the big guns in round one anyway so that's probably not necessary. Even if she had, she'd also have a secure victory against Kandy giving a lot of viewers a positive experience in the end. So, if I'm producing I'd make them battle first too. Low risk to Symone, but either outcome nets me happy fans when we wrap. When I get annoyed with a show I think too much about how I'd put it together. Bit of a conspiracy theory but...reality television is all fake stories packaged as true. It is a conspiracy, to entertain (well, for ad rates). I'm not sure how that's unfair, because from what I know of Gottmik she earned her deeper pockets through her makeup skills. I'm conflicted about the impact of cash on this show. On the one hand I reflexively think it's unfair. But when I think about it, to me they'll all have different advantages, and they're judged by the judges to different standards. Maybe that all balances out somehow? I think the bigger advantage all of the final four had, arguably, are connections to the show through relationships with former contestants. They all had access to a ton of knowledge that some of the others wouldn't. Deep pockets will help impress viewers trained to think good drag requires high polish. Won't save you from not understanding editing, or how to work on a tv set.

I disagree, because I think they brought Kandy there specifically to make sure whoever was their chosen winner would win clearly. They saw them all lip sync week one, they saw Kandy specifically, what, three more times. Hell, didn't she and Symone even face off before? Symone's lip syncs all have a similar vibe to me. Entertaining but not as big as a finale performance might demand against someone as creative as Gottmik. Kandy, though...not a dancer, never really had a stunt or reveal... beatable. They knew that. I think they got what they wanted. Plus, Kandy in the final two, possibly winning, was all the dramatic tension they needed. Even if you aren't into Symone, you might feel relieved it's not Kandy winning because of her edit, and so you'll be a happy ish viewer in the end. Side note, as much as I don't like Kandy the character on RuPaul, they did Kandy the person dirty with the edit (and with the unwarranted praise, if she really is as arrogant as shown). This definitely is the first season in a while where production is the star.

I think this season was about creating possible all stars. Gottmik, Rose, Denali, Utica, Elliott, Lala, Tamisha- lots of good. They overwhelmed it with the mediocre, mean Kandy (they're brilliant editors, couldn't show off her talent even once really) and a racist recurring guest judge but overall...lots of people I'd watch again.

I think that was the intention, and I'd have been here for it because she was a hilarious narrator. Alas, LaLaRi had a couple really bad outfits, and she and Tamisha didn't take the bait and make their rift Alyssa/Coco level drama. She wasn't the kind of character VH1 showcases. So glad this is done next week. I'll be reading about the finale before sitting through it. I want Kandy to win so she's less likely to appear on all stars.

I'm super curious about the final appraisals because three teams were said to be close, but they didn’t reveal details as far as I saw, besides the winner. I also wish they'd focused more on ROI throughout, especially for stuff like the ombre tile or the brick kitchen that reminded me of Olive Garden but is apparently gorgeous. Super fun show, I think D&T were doing some kind of experiment instead of competing. I want more details though. Or a crossover with one of their home buying shows, get some actual buyers and offers.

They want people to talk about Kandy. Rose's verse is probably my favorite vocal on any of these tracks, and I can't wait to see what she does after the show. I liked Gottmik too, and I think Symone has undeniable star quality. So, overall I liked the track. We're almost finished!

This is why I call her racist. https://madamenoire.com/1116389/loni-love-shan-boody/ I don't think it's cool to sit in a position of power and define someone's race for them, based on how they conform to your expectations. I think she's had a few more controversial comments, but I try to avoid her so they don't factor for me. Grand scheme of things, I get it's minimal impact racism (except for how it perpetuates stereotypes), but it's personal to me and I'm no longer able to tolerate it.

Kandy is too volatile to call out, as we saw when Tamisha said she was arrogant, and again when Denali said on the runway that Kandy should go home. Why bother, unless you want the airtime and headache of a fight? I agree with those who thought the sketch was one of their worst. My partner loved it though, for reasons I don't get. I wish it'd been more improv. I don't think I need versatility from a queen, but I love the ones with strong characters and quick wit. I don't know how this was designed for anyone to showcase themselves, even had people played against type. It did show who will work hard and take direction, which I guess is good since WoW produces a lot of green screen youtube content. I was assuming next week was the end. Is there another elimination, then a virtual reunion, then the finale?

They have some nerve talking about representation after bringing Loni Love's racist ass on every other week. It feels awful as a mixed race person to see her, and worse to see nobody else has a problem with it. Fuck them. They decided Kandy was a good narrator weeks ago, I think that's really why she's stayed. They tried to make me think Olivia was a secret diva, failed at that, but she didn't play the name game. Hence, she's gone. It's better that way, I think this season won't be remembered fondly, though maybe she will (editing be damned). Oh well. Hopefully all stars starts in three weeks and this will be buried. Plus Spain and Australia!

Usually all the good stuff happens in the off season. I hope they continue trailblazing by actually showing cast reactions. If she did what she's accused of, she's terrible. But also...you know how they profile serial killers to help solve future cases before things are too awful? They maybe should look at these shows. Jen was a lot like Teresa, and Tamra who may not have been arrested but seems shady. Point is, Bravo may have found a type of criminal. Jeez I'm bored, to say that kind of nonsense.

She's protecting herself, same as with Snatch Game, by not claiming to be good at things. Saying what you're good at on a reality show is begging for trouble. Maybe it's just because she's from LA that I think she's trying to play the show that way. This may be the first season I just turn off. Symone seems primed for the win, which is fine, but the journey is not fun for me anymore at all. So the opposite of last season, which I thought was them shifting to be more like the international versions and less...this.

Legend is that Ru is only in drag from the waist up. Utica was off and it was her time, but maybe Loni Love's own remarks should apply here. They're just jokes... https://madamenoire.com/1116389/loni-love-shan-boody/

Loved the finale. Loved the top 3. As a Lawrence, happy that a Lawrence won, but any of them could have taken it and I'd have been satisfied. Can't wait to see Tayce and/or Tia on international all stars some day. It's crazy to watch this after the dumpster fire of the US version.

They need to start showing with Kandy and stop telling me about her. She's not funny. And, I didn't believe her sad story. I'm a bad person for that. They need to not show slides about being anti racist and keep bringing Loni Love around. She is racist. That means, they are not, as a production, anti racist. I was relieved Utica stayed, and happy Rose got a joint win, but I think I'm out of love with this show. I'm just imagining Kandy with Eureka and Silky on all stars, wishing they'd eliminate more quickly and get this done.

I think Kandy is filling a Roxxy Andrews, kind of role, with the kind of attitude easily edited to look like unearned arrogance. Then, they keep her too long to exaggerate a gap between performance and on-screen reception. It's almost unfair to her (almost because reality TV isn't new at this point and she knows past contestants). I'll be shocked if she's not top 4.