Global All Stars: Premiere Talent Extravaganza, Part 1!

[davidcalgary29]

After months of speculation, WoW has finally decided to expose Canada vs. World 2's casting deficiencies by dropping two premiere episodes even before Canada's finale! In their defence, it's actually refreshing to see twelve different queens from different countries to truly make this "vs." season truly international. And that must mean that everyone here is starting on a level playing field, right? Right? Well no, as one queen muses, because the queens who have appeared before Ru & co. on previous seasons certainly have an advantage here. And even that seems like a minor quibble, because as Alyssa floats into the Werkroom, we're all given notice that this might well be the House of Edwards. And that's because she's the one undisputed superstar on this cast. It's just a sad fact that none of the other queens have the type of international reach that any of the truly storied queens from the US franchise has over large parts of the general fanbase. That needn't be a fatal flaw in this season despite a few red flags that pop up here and there in this episode.

The queens all marvel at the Werkroom as they enter, and it's clear that money has been spent both on the set and in production values. This is a slick, highly produced affair that features good pacing and editing, but little of the organic flow that marks the best of the domestic franchises. After initial introductions and a fun mini-challenge, the queens are split up into two groups of six, who will then perform their variety skits in the first two episodes. It's a familiar, safe, narrative device...and the results are equally safe and familiar. 

Kween opens the show with a nice, high energy dance number, but I think that Eureka needs to teach her about the magic of Proportionizing. What is going on with her padding? She's a muscular queen, but her outfit costume makes her look like a beige block. Still, she finds herself in the top with a manic Alyssa, who contributes a fun, if jittery, dance/exercise parody skit that plays to Ru's love of kitsch and Alyssisms in general. They're not necessarily the best or most entertaining acts of the night, but they do feature the best and most consistent branding, and that's clearly a plus for WoW. 

The runway, with twelve looks that run the gamut from okay-to-great, is kind of exhausting. While it's great that all the queens get to show off their looks, they really should have saved the looks of the non-performing queens for a bonus extra, or perhaps had the non-performing queen walk separately, in order to maintain focus on the competing queens in this week challenge.

Ru leaches all the tension from the episode by announcing that there will be no eliminations for the first two episodes. Kween and Alyssa, who is breathtaking as a walking disco ball, nonetheless do a decent job of the song. Ru declares a tie! She then ruins the fun by announcing that the queens have to split the prize and really, couldn't they pony up some extra cash for what is supposed to be the marquee event of the international franchises?

Next episode: it's part two of the premiere! 

 

Edited August 19 by davidcalgary29

[violet and green]

On 8/17/2024 at 2:24 PM, davidcalgary29 said:

Kween and Alyssa, who is breathtaking as a walking disco ball, nonetheless do a decent job of the song. Ru declares a tie! She then ruins the fun by announcing that the queens have to split the prize and really, couldn't they pony up some extra case for what is supposed to be the marquee event of the international franchises?

Exactly. That was so disappointing.

So excited to see Alyssa, who at this point looks more like Joan Collins in her prime than Joan Collins in her prime, and is doing wonderfully, and also to see the wonderful Miranda Lebrão showcasing her gorgeous looks and presence.

[threebluestars]

There is something about Alyssa's entire persona that is very comforting to me. I have to think she's the front runner, as there's kind of a "It's Sasha Colby!" vibe, where everyone is so excited she's there.

[Wonderlad71]

Love Alyssa and she is the obvious viewer drawcard but it really makes the contest so lopsided. It's all very Miss Universe with everyone so congenial and there's not much drama and storyline. 

The very casual entrances of the queens in episode one (no reaction from Ru to meeting some of the queens) and the quick one minute talent show made for a very rushed/ haphazard start to the season IMHO and I would have shot the editors. 

My favourite performance was by Miranda Lebrão  and am really rooting for Eva le Queen. Let's see how it goes.

 

 

[Kaboom 2.0]

Love love love that Alyssa seems to be the frontrunner & ITA with Alyssa being comfort personified. There is just something about her. 

I like the other queens too, seeing their drag, getting to know them & love that they are from all over the world of Drag Race.  Now I just have to remember their names, I' m so bad at it the first few episodes.