S09.E06: Roasted

[davidcalgary29]

Back in The Werkroom, the queens rehash the season's "A" plot for the umpeenth time, and Roxxxy feigns innocence. It may well be that I've been convinced by last week's comments, but Roxxxy would be much better off with her fellow queens (and, it seems, some viewers) if she just owned her choices, cackled a bit, and then shrugged it all off. Frankly, you can tell that at least half the cast is tired of rehashing talking points force-fed to them by lowly PAs, so we're just going to move on.

Ru announces that it's time for the fun mini challenge that's come to be an annual treat on most franchises: the (real) rate-a-queen! While it's not as cutting as what we've seen on UK, it's still fun. Jorgeous wins -- and gets a badge! While it's possible that Ru just wanted to continue to troll the badgeless Shannel, it's a fair outcome.

Ru quickly pivots to the main challenge, and announces that it's time -- for a roast! Half the episode is then wasted on bloat and a tiresome side trip through the episode's "B" plot -- some supposed rivalry between Jorgeous and Nina --  before we eventually return to the main course.

Happily, almost all the queens excel at the task, with only Gothmik (in an ugly roast outfit) and Vangie flailing a bit. Vangie actually had the kernel of a great idea by putting an interesting spin on Carlin's "Forbidden Words" bit, but she doesn't push it far enough, and the set's too short to hit, so it's a half-formed idea at best. Production throws in random shots of both Angeria and Roxxxy's reactions to each others' mild barbs to remind us that they really don't like each other. Did you know that they don't like each other? SPOILER! Jorgeous panders to Ru's fondness for problematic stereotypes by appearing on stage in "butch" drag, and does well. And Roxxxy seals her loss by trolling Ru for failing to remember the queens' names. You should've thrown in a fracking joke for the kill, Roxxxy! But overall this is a pretty good roast, and a welcome change from the norm.

The runway is less successful, as has often been the case this season. Roxxxy, Angeria, and Shannel go dumpster-diving at the local furrier's to trot out some Trapper Shack Realness. While the Northern Canadian in me wants to cheer these homages to Voyageur Drag, it's pretty bad. Gottmik slinks out in an ugly bionic mess, a rare misstep for one whose fashion is usually on point. Nina has an interesting headpiece, and I just tried to ignore everything below her neck. Really, this would have been the perfect time for some fifties housewife camp! The rest of the queens are just okay at best. The judges, of course, lavish praise on this parade of blah. Ru takes time to praise Jorgeous for accepting her destiny as Ru's stereotyped punching bag, and also tells her that she should take her "butch" act on the road as "Hector". Please do not do this, Jorgeous. But if you do, I'd go with "Brogeous" myself. Michelle infuriatingly claims to love Plastique's Effie Trinket Panem Capitol makeup and tells her that it looks great. No, it doesn't.

Angeria and Plastique are named tops of the week, which also seems correct for what we're shown. Angeria wins a wholly lopsided lipsynch to a banger of a song -- Plastique, what is going on??? Lipsynch the words!!! -- and then pretends to be conflicted by her Decision to Block. After an interminable (and flat) pause, she scissors Roxxxy, as Production demanded. Try to look more excited about your script, Angie!

Next week: Production's up to Dickens, as the queens are haunted by the ghosts of seasons past when they are forced to improv acting scenes with an eyebrowless Ru! They should have brought back Jinkx for this to troll Roxxxy.

Edited June 15, 2024 by davidcalgary29

[Starchild]

If Roxxxy and Angeria are just going to hand the scissors back and forth, I'd rather watch the Beachcombers.

[davidcalgary29]

My local town council actually has some type of Pride tie-in this month with the theme of "be seen in plaid!" Um, what? Maybe they want to watch The Beachcombers, too.

Edited June 15, 2024 by davidcalgary29

[Madding crowd]

The roasts all seemed really short, even I can come up with 3 jokes. I thought for sure Ru would pick Jorgeous for one of the tops. The atomic blonde theme fell flat, the queens didn’t know what to do with it. How many times per episode does Ru mention “beautiful benefactress badge”? That could be a drinking game.

Edited June 15, 2024 by Madding crowd

[Ms.Lulu]

Old Roxxxy is coming out--she is a bitter Betty about being snipped again. She has the most badges and she hasn't been snipped the most. So salty! To quote Katya, 'Roxxxy, I think of you every time I see a bus stop.'

It is funny the queens think Angeria is delusional.  Most didn't even think Angeria was in the top 3 this challenge.  Jorgeous, Shanel, Nina and Mik are delusional.

So far Angie is my favorite.  Then it is Plastique.

Not loving this season. I would have preferred a best friends race with Bob & Monet, Trixie and Katya, Violet and Gottmik, Alaska and Detox, Raja and Jujubee and Kim and Naomi competing in pairs.

[SemiCharmedLife]

I enjoyed the roast, and even the weakest ones had some zingers!  I have to admit I LOL'd  a number of times.  The one about burping Jorgeous was hilarious.  

I do think the theme was interpreted in all different ways, and I'm wondering if the original theme was worded differently, as happens every so often.  Nina's seemed closest to the idea of "Atomic Blond" in my interpretation.  

I'm still feeling bad for Shannel.  She definitely deserves a badge for bringing high quality drag and doing pretty dang well in most challenges.  It must feel crummy, but so far her attitude remains positive.

[davidcalgary29]

4 hours ago, Ms.Lulu said:

 

Not loving this season. I would have preferred a best friends race with Bob & Monet, Trixie and Katya, Violet and Gottmik, Alaska and Detox, Raja and Jujubee and Kim and Naomi competing in pairs.

There have been three classic seasons of AS: 2, 6, and 7. 1 is a watchable trainwreck with some very entertaining moments, 3 and 8 have massive structural problems but are still fun, and I can't remember much of anything of 4 or 5, which remain the low points of this franchise for me. I'd put this along 3 and 8, as the challenges have mostly been fun, it's been nice to see Shannel and Roxxxy return to the screen, and the newer queens haven't yet outworn their welcomes. The runways have been a let down and the writing is subpar, but you seemingly can't have everything these days.

Edited June 16, 2024 by davidcalgary29

[Kaboom 2.0]

Angeria & Plastique winning the main challenge seemed right to me. I saw a blurb elsewhere that Mik cribbed most/all of her roast from someone else?? If that's true that is bad form, Mik.

Ruta Lee is a national treasure & should be constantly feted & protected at all times. She's a hoot! I've seen Seven Brides for Seven Brothers too many times & wouldn't u know it, earlier this month I actually caught her guest role on Three's Company  during one of Logo's marathons.

Grow up, Roxxxy girl. 

[SemiCharmedLife]

On 6/16/2024 at 6:15 PM, Kaboom 2.0 said:

Angeria & Plastique winning the main challenge seemed right to me. I saw a blurb elsewhere that Mik cribbed most/all of her roast from someone else?? If that's true that is bad form, Mik.

Ruta Lee is a national treasure & should be constantly feted & protected at all times. She's a hoot! I've seen Seven Brides for Seven Brothers too many times & wouldn't u know it, earlier this month I actually caught her guest role on Three's Company  during one of Logo's marathons.

Grow up, Roxxxy girl. 

Thanks for mentioning this.  I checked on Reddit and there was a link to a You Tube video that shows how similar Mik's roast was to another comedian, Nikki Glaser.  I don't mind queens hiring writers in advance to come up with some jokes/reads, but this seems like Mik "stole" her jokes.

[davidcalgary29]

2 hours ago, LarryMoore said:

Is it worth watching 

This episode? Yes.

Edited July 13, 2024 by davidcalgary29