S17.E05: RDR Live!

[davidcalgary29]

In the wake of last episode's elimination, the queens return to the Werkroom to find that Joella has left a novel on the mirror. Kori, still dressed in her tacky runway outfit, dispiritedly reads it out to a disinterested group, and they mumble a few words of farewell so that they won't look like total bitches, but it's clear that Joella did, indeed, read the room right when she fumed that she wasn't well-liked. And really, I can't remember a time in recent memory when the eliminated queen has generated a reaction of such nonchalance in the wake of her elimination. Couldn't the other queens have at least faked it for the cameras? 

After a few jokes are levelled at Onya Nurve, the winner of the last episode, we reconvene in the Werkroom the next day to hear Ru announce that it's time for RDR Live. A few of the queens bandy the term "improv" about, but as the episode moves on, it's clear that this challenge is less about thinking on the fly than it is about laying on the schtick. And as these things go, S17's try is by far one of the more successful of these outings, and actually fun to watch.

The queens are given scripts to peruse and, ultimately, pick out their parts. While it's worked in the past, WoW's attempts to stir up petty drama and bitchery by pitching win-hungry queens against each other for the juiciest roles fails refreshingly this time, as almost everyone (the exception: a fuming Hormona) gets the role that they want, and they all settle down to prepare for their skits. Where did this sudden dash of maturity come from? I have to say that it's most welcome, and should stick around for awhile.

After we spend some time hearing the queens gab and jab about the upcoming challenge, we make a sudden (and a bit jarring) transition into the Cold Open, featuring Onya, Arrietty, Kori, and Lana. While the delicious prospect of an Opening Bomb rears its head in the first few seconds, the queens settle down, and the results aren't half-bad. Arrietty lands in the bottom for her broad take on Neanderthal wit, but it's Lana, I think, who is the most mediocre in the sketch. A forgettable Kori and an impressive Onya round out the cast of this skit.

Onya's winning ways continue as she opens the "show" as host. Ru lies somewhere that this was "shot in one take", but I'll eat my glasses if that's actually the case: none of the queens flub any of their lines, an implausible result given the varied strengths of this particular cast. In any case, Onya's great, and if not for one Suzie Toot, I'd have picked her for the top of the week.

The skits continue, and are just about as entertaining as one of the better latter-day SNL episodes, so kudos to this group! I like Hormona's group the least, but they do get in some cute double-entendres and reaction shots that make the skit bearable. Acacia is the standout in Golden Girls ripoff "Gert and Trudy", while Lydia fades into the background. I also found the Blanche/Sophia pairing as mother and daughter to be an unusual choice -- maybe Alexis threatened to sue if they didn't bring her back to reprise Dorothy? Much better is "QNN News", where Lexi and Crystal -- both perfectly fine here -- are outshone by Suzie, who plays "RuPaul's childhood babysitter" as a methed-out Fran Drescher mixed with Pearl's Big Ang from S7 Snatch Game. She steals every comic beat of the skit, and even though she says that "theatre is in her blood" and that she's "been doing it for years", it's an outstanding performance by every measure. The "show" then ends, and is a certainly a success by this show's low comic standards.

The runway category is "Tickled Pink", and the queens are heckled by the Panel, this week including someone named Paul W. Downs. Unlike last week, this pretty man looks vaguely familiar, and it looks like he's been in a few TV shows. In any case, he's game, and not too terrible, so this is a plus. Less of a plus are many of the looks, which settle for the familiar and expected instead of showcasing a level of taste and innovation that should be presented for one of gay television's marquee events. Example number one: Onya Nurve. Look, I love Onya, and she did a stellar job in the challenge, but her runway is a complete mess, no matter how much Ross loves her padding. Arrietty and Hormona present two of the better looks; Acacia is stuck in her mid-'80s Comfort Zone; Kori looks marginally better than last week. Lydia changes things up by dressing up as Glam Penis, which makes a nice visual contrast to her runwaymate Suzie, who is dressed up as Circus Penis. But at least Suzie's changing up her makeup!

Onya, Suzie...and Hormona are named the tops of the week. What! Hormona's runway wasn't good enough to elevate her mediocre challenge performance to a top placement. In keeping with this week's wonky judging, a terrified Arrietty is thrown into the bottom with a deserving Sam and Lydia. Suzie wins. Huzzah! It is, in every way, deserved. Sam is saved (what!) leaving Arrietty and Lydia to shimmy and shake to "Boogie Wonderland"

Neither queen does a good job with the lipsynch, disappointing for this particular dancefloor classic. Lydia wins! And then, the Fakeout that Refuses to Die, as yada yada yada/dunk tank/lever/safety. Arrietty stays! And with that, thankfully, this soggy chocolate bar can now be retired for the season, and we can get on with cutting this already large cast.

Next week: it's a ball! Queens are seen in the preview trampling each other for ugly pool noodles and hot glue guns. Drag is a contact sport after all!

Edited February 1 by davidcalgary29

[Starchild]

I actually thought Lydia did OK. She wasn't nearly as good, but she reminded me a little of Vanity Vain.

[Kaboom 2.0]

Susie and Onya being unbothered on Untucked by the so called glamour queens' sour (Onya called it!) assessments gave me life and just makes me love those two more. For me it seems like Susie's getting that season 5 Jinkx edit and I am here for it. 

I thought Bruno gave the best performance in the first RDR skit with Onya a close second. LOL My bottom queens would've been Lydia, Lana and Sam for their performances alone. Delusion runs strong in the Luxx Noir family, doesn't it.

The show continuing to shower praise on Hormona, leaving some of the queens seething, is so wrong but I don't mind seeing it. 

When the show showed Lexi's Linked In page I said no no no aloud. I really hope she doesn't get hounded online and is fired. I still like her despite her sour attitude in Untucked this week.

And my God who saw little Lydia as someone who would eat up that stage during the lipsync because I surely did not. She was confident and consistent, holding Ru's gaze, while Arrierty seemed desperate and not feeling the song. I can hope but not expect that this second chance has her adjusting her attitude from now on.

And no clue who the guest judge was, I had to look him up, but he seemed game and very nice. 

[violet and green]

I was so pleased for Lydia with that lipsync. As the track began, Rue looked her way, took her in for a second or so, and flicked her eyes over to Arrietty and then her gaze was pulled back to Lydia. From that point on, Arrietty seemed like a really out-of-time back up dancer.

 

[Fake Jan Brady]

Paul W. Downs is the co-creator/co-star of Hacks, the current Jean Smart gift to television. If you're not watching, remedy that immediately! It's so good.

So the lucky levers in Season 17's Badonkadonk lottery were 1 and 7? Shoulda seen that coming.

Edited February 2 by Fake Jan Brady

[SemiCharmedLife]

It was interesting to note how the queens responded to Arriety being in the bottom and then losing the lip sync.  She is very loved by the queens.  I'm actually glad they saved her because I look forward to her runways.  

Suzie was outstanding in the challenge.  It was one of the best acting challenges I've seen on Drag Race.  And really funny!  Maybe the writers are getting better (but, then there was the beaver skit..,)

[Starchild]

10 hours ago, SemiCharmedLife said:

It was interesting to note how the queens responded to Arriety being in the bottom and then losing the lip sync.  She is very loved by the queens.

Not by me. Too much of an air of superiority. You can be confident without insulting others. Like Suzie.

[Wonderlad71]

On 2/2/2025 at 8:04 AM, SemiCharmedLife said:

It was interesting to note how the queens responded to Arriety being in the bottom and then losing the lip sync.  She is very loved by the queens.  I'm actually glad they saved her because I look forward to her runways.  

Yes I thought her runway should have saved her-  and Kori King should have been in the bottom again for a forgettable performance and mediocre runway. 

At least the Badonkadonk chocolate bar shenanigans are out of the way. 

Also I would  have put Jewels Sparkles in the top over Hormona Lisa. I really through she shone throughout this episode.

Lexi Love is still my fave this season but mamma is pressed like a panini this week. 

 

[hatchetgirl]

Hormona is driving me crazy!  I think she paints really well and her looks are nice but out of drag is a mess.  Like - I would think she's my toddler out of drag!  At the same time, there is something about her that keeps me laughing.  I do not think she has the star power of others.

[Red Bridey]

For me, the problem with Hormona is she's boring. Her runway is pretty but never unexpected. She was good as a mellow podcaster, but not special. I am sure she will do well back in (where is she from?) Tennessee? Georgia? But she is Not.Interesting.

Kori King once again proves to be one of the most delusional queens. She is completely mid. Like, basic. So she can shut her pie hole about Suzie.

Arrietty, on the other hand, is interesting visually but just not entertaining as an actor. She's very young though, and age may improve that IF she makes the effort by taking acting or improv classes. But I doubt she will because clearly she has a very high opinion of herself. I couldn't understand the dark makeup around her mouth for the runway; looked like stitches? Didn't get it.

My DVR didn't record the show last week for some reason, so that's why I'm late to the chat. I certainly hope there are several double eliminations coming up because I am eager to see some cuts!

Edited February 8 by Red Bridey