S17.E07: The Snatch Game

[davidcalgary29]

Hey, everybody -- it's time for the Snatch Game! But the queens don't know that yet, and we head back with them to the Werkroom to debrief Hormona's unceremonious departure from the show. Kori cackles gratingly with delight over her ousting, and yet I can't help but notice that Hormona provokes far more of a reaction from her than did Joella's elimination. I guess you did make an impact after all, Hormona!

A glittering Ru enters the Werkroom the next day to announce that it's time for the mid-season's big prize: it's time, once again, for The Snatch Game! This year, she brings along a stunning Alyssa Edwards -- how does she continue to look more beautiful with every screen appearance? -- to critique the contestants in groups of three or four so we can get a preview of the characters they'll put up on display. And, as with every year, most of the ideas are bad even on paper, and the standout concepts this year -- Onya wants to do Eddie Murphy, and Lexi plans to perform as comic Gilbert Gottfried -- are male. Hm. It's fun to watch Onya resist Ru's attempts to have her Eddie Murphy concept flushed down the proverbial toilet in front of her, and it's a rare departure from the growing norm of doing what Ru wants whenever she wants it. I'm all for it, Onya!

After critiques, we take a brief tour into The Land of Delusion (population: Suzie Toot, according to production), where we get innumerable confessions of Suzie as the Captain of the Good Ship Hubris, about to sail into the shark-infested waters of the Ocean of Improv. To her DOOM! Suzie seems relatively unconcerned. Good for you, Suzie!

The Snatch Game begins, and it's not one of the show's top efforts. Alyssa is, as "panelist", by far the most exciting thing about the episode, and her reactions to each provided answer are often a lot more entertaining than anything than the queens put out. Most of the queens are just okay; Suzie isn't terrible, but she puts more effort into performance than comedy, which dulls her game; Kori gets a good laugh in the Werkroom about her character choice, but her Big Ang really isn't very good, and a distant second to Pearl's excellent (and funny) caricature in S7. Onya is pretty Good as Eddie Murphy, and Sam is polished as some pageant star; Jewels is okay as a Jersey Lady Sasquatch. on the other hand, Lana is completely flat as Rosa Parks and Crystal is a boring Nicole Richie. Arguably the worst performance of the entire cast is, however, is Arrietty, who lays a goose egg on stage with a grating and obnoxious Cupid. Ugh.

The next day, the queens return to the Werkroom so that Production can pivot into the episode's "B" plot: the Assassination of one Suzie Toot. Suzie tells the other contestants that she thought she was great in the challenge and is gunning for her third win; Production paints this take as true delusion, and Kori is delighted to play along by laughing at her, incredulously. My respect for Sam grows when she bluntly suggests to Suzie that most of the queens think that her performance was bad; to her enormous credit, Suzie simply disagrees and says that she's proud of herself. Sorry, production, but I'm on team Suzie with this: the performance wasn't bad -- it was just wasn't suited for the format of The Snatch Game. But it would've been fine in another format, and Production can't say the same thing about Arrietty, Lana, or Crystal, but we don't see anyone make mean comments about them. Of course.

The runway is "Nailed It!" and it's a major step up from the Snatch Game, with the first half of the runway presenting some of the best looks of the entire season so far. Acacia surprises with a well-conceived, put-together costume that actually makes her look good; Lexi is...well, Cher, complete with individual Cher portraits on her nails; Suzie detours into Avant Garde to give us a drag version of the Iron Maiden, a mythical (or apocryphal) medieval torture device. It's pretty neat, and unexpected for someone whose fashion references tend more toward Louise Brooks than the Hellraiser Pinhead. Arrietty gets praise for her four-armed cat creature, and Onya concludes the runway with a 90s throwback look that I didn't quite like at first glance, but which really grew on me with repeated views. There's an attention to detail in every aspect of her outfit, and I particularly love her headpiece and cape. That's a stellar runway effort, Onya!

Onya, Sam, and Lexi are the tops of the week. Lexi actually muffed her Snatch Game, but the judges praise her charisma, and claim that it "saved" her performance. And it really did! I'm not terribly displeased with the decision. Onya wins! I'm on board with this decision.

Lana, Crystal, and Arrietty are dumped into the bottom: can't argue with those choices! Arrietty is saved. What! COME ON at this point: she had the worst Snatch Game performance, and her runway wasn't that great, either. Oh, whatever. Arrietty goes to the back of the stage while Crystal and Lana prepare for the lipsynch. They dance, and they're actually pretty evenly matched for the song. Both of them do a great job, and each bring their own energy to the song. I actually thought Crystal edged Lana out for most of the song, with Lana bringing it in in the end; no matter, as Ru declares Lana safe and kicks Crystal out of the competition. Aw, that sucks. I really enjoyed Crystal's polish and think that she could have brought a great deal to the second half of the competition. Wow.

Next week: it's time for a Rusical! And we're going to get an endless stream of Yellow Brick Road puns thrown at Lydia, because Ru enjoy whipping tired cliches into the ground that way. Some of the queens debate parts, and Production tries to frame it as actual drama!

Edited February 15 by davidcalgary29

[Ananayel]

Unpopular opinion - it's time to retire Snatch Game. This was dire. I didn't laugh one time. And while I have enjoyed some of the impersonations of male celebs, it's SNATCH Game. This time there were three of them. It's only a matter of time before more than half of them are doing male characters. Let's see - has there been an Elton John, Mr Rogers, Mr Bean, Mick Jagger, Ozzy Osbourne, Keith Richard, David Bowie, David Lee Roth, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Matt Gaetz, JD Vance - I could go on. I think we've had Bob Ross, maybe Flavor Flav, but I could be wrong. Did someone do Prince? Anyway, no more. 

The runway was great, but it should have been Lana. Wonderful to see the amazing Alyssa Edwards, you can never have too much Alyssa Edwards.

[7-Zark-7]

How this wasn't a three way lip sync, I don’t know. Lana didn't even think to pin her wig down and she’s safe? That’s what it’s come to? Ooh, Ru was just tired of seeing Crystal. 

I don’t think they should have declared a winner. Yes, Onya and Jewels were mildly funny at times, but in a Snatch Game against De La, Kennedy Davenport, the All Winners season queens, or any Liza impression, they'd just be safe. These performances were solid but not memorable.

Suzie was not good, and it was sad to see the other queens revel in it. Sam should have just been sent backstage with the original safe girls. The judges were right about Lexi being so bad she was good, though.

Edited February 15 by 7-Zark-7

[Fake Jan Brady]

Quinta Brunson was a fantastic judge. Her suggestions as to what the bottom queens could've done with their characters made me sad we didn't get to see those versions, and her visceral hatred for Baby Cupid was delightful.

Bonus: her Untucked impersonation of Sheryl Lee Ralph.

[janeyjay]

12 hours ago, Ananayel said:

Unpopular opinion - it's time to retire Snatch Game. This was dire. I didn't laugh one time. And while I have enjoyed some of the impersonations of male celebs, it's SNATCH Game. This time there were three of them. It's only a matter of time before more than half of them are doing male characters.

I'm old enough to remember the ESCANDALO when Kennedy opted to portray Little Richard, which I believe was the first time a male celeb had been attempted on Snatch Game. She nailed it (IMO) and that seemed to open the door for things like Thorgy and Michael Jackson and DeLa with Paul Lynde. 

And rather than having a Snatch Game veteran like Alyssa (who I adore) give Werk Room pre-game comments, bring in someone like Quinta Brunson who could give solid suggestions because when the Snatch Game performances are elevated, we all win.

[TiffanyNichelle]

8 hours ago, 7-Zark-7 said:

Lana didn't even think to pin her wig down and she’s safe? That’s what it’s come to? Ooh, Ru was just tired of seeing Crystal. 

It used to be if you lost your shoes or your wig or had any other kinds of issues during a lip sync you knew that queen lost and now it doesn't matter anymore. It's kind of annoying. Lana lost that lip sync. Lexi should have just been safe. "She was so funny because she was so bad!" She gets a top placement out of it?

Quote

Suzie was not good, and it was sad to see the other queens revel in it.

It was really disappointing to see how bad she was at it. She was so focused on getting the voice right with the pronunciation of "scissors" which made me think she thought it would be her version of "raspberries!" She should have done the exaggerated pronunciation of scissors but have the written answer be something completely different that didn't even sound like scissors. Now that would have been funny,

Edited February 15 by TiffanyNichelle

[Madding crowd]

I also thought Suzie would be great at this but she fell into the trap of thinking a good imitation is automatically funny. Only Eddie Murphy and Bigfoot were funny. I don’t mind if the queens do men; anything they can do to be funny is ok. I was impressed with most of the runways; especially Susie’s.

[cpcathy]

That was the worst SG ever. I can’t believe they let Lexi off for still being hilarious. I hope to get such an unwarranted break some day.

[violet and green]

So good to have Alyssa back on my screen looking glorious. I enjoyed her reactions during the SG, and appreciated that huge hideous wig as a nod to the heinous George Washington she wore in AS.

But that was a travesty saving Lana over Crystal after that lipsync, especially given Lana's trajectory so far and lack of promise on the show. The wig coming off, the furious blocking in retaliation, and the lack of stage awareness in that messy repetitive lipsync should have been an automatic out.

[Salacious Kitty]

If I was Crystal, I'd be pissed as well. Lana got a mercy save. Hopefully, she sashays soon. Nothing special there. 

[Red Bridey]

I also am so sonSO sick of the queens portraying men on SG. What, there aren't enough entertaining women personalities for them to choose from? This bunch of queens are useless as far as wit and humor and satire are concerned. Kori was safe? She is a walking tool. When is she ever going to reamed out for all the body suits she wears? Awfully high opinion of herself for awfully mediocre work. No, Suzie wasn't as great as she thought she was but neither was ANYONE ELSE. I am bored bored bored with Internet meme queen impressions, men as women portraying men, dated so-called celebrities not noted for their personalities (Nicole Ritchie? What the hell has she ever done that anyone remembers? Big Ang who? Hasn't been on TV in decades!).

I'm bored with this particular challenge, and I predicted it would be terrible last week and I was right. Yay me?

[Kaboom 2.0]

Yikes. I wish I could un-watch that SG but I willingly watched it even after guessing, with last week's teaser, that it would be terrible. That may have been the worst SG ever, I thought there couldn't be a worse one than season 14 but I was wrong. I would've picked Jewels' Mrs. Bigfeet as the winner, an original concept brought to life by Jewels. I feel for Susie losing the plot re: what SG actually is.

Thank gods that Alyssa Edwards was brought in to be worshipped as she should be. Besides she & Quinta Brunson making me laugh, Ru In the werk room busting the mediocre Kori's tendency to wear the same shoe style repeatedly, even walking over to grab said shoe & brandishing it as proof made me laugh too. 

Lana takes up space & brings nothing to this season. I feel for Crystal that she was removed from the competition yet Lana is still there. This week's Pit Stop guest is Lana's drag mother Luxx Noir London, who continues to be as delusional today as she was during her season. I know what I saw with my own eyes, ma'am, and it was not Lana excelling in anything. She's pretty & is thin. That is it. 

[Mahfouz]

Susie Toot thought she was going to give us some Jinkx-as-Little-Edie magic and wow us with her impression of a pretty obscure person but Susie Toot is NO Ms. Monsoon.

There were some real missed opportunities for Lana playing Rosa Parks. Just think of all the subversive things that could have been played with (Only sitting at front of bus because dude next to her farted) or (or I had to move to the front to get a better look at the handsome driver). Those are not very polished but she could have gone in many directions. Also, she was on a panel with a white, really-southern-sounding person. She could have gotten a ton of traction from that.

 

 

[bluvelvet]

I would have been on with Jewels winning as Mrs Bigfoot - but Onya’s Eddie was good also. The rest sucked honestly. Lana should’ve gone home not Crystal. Lana isn’t bringing anything to the competition and I’m tired of seeing her half naked. 

[Red Bridey]

In two minutes, Scarlett Johanson did a better Ellen Whatshername from Little Shop during the SNL 50th anniversary show than Susie did. But I still like Susie better than any of the other queens this season, except maybe Onya. Susie is intelligent and thoughtful, unlike the majority of the contestants. 

Did you know Ellen whozit was also the first blonde female attorney in the original Night Court, replaced by Markie Post after one season. And she is the female singer in Meatloaf's "Paradise by the Dashboard Light"? Susie should have referenced that, but probably nobody in that group of babies have heard the song! 🤔🙄 Never mind. Wrong blonde Ellen.

Edited Wednesday at 01:39 PM by Red Bridey

[TVbitch]

I've come to dread SG cuz it is usually a huge disappointment.

"I would abort that baby." ~funniest burn of the night!

Crystal totally won that lip sync. They cut away from her a lot, as I'm sure they had to since Ru had already decided to save Lana. But Crystal was totally working it, on the beat, and I'm bummed now she won't be around to show off more dancing. 

[GingerPudding]

I watch on a small screen, so maybe I'm wrong, but at times it seemed that Lana didn't know the words. Also - the WIG!!! Crystal was robbed. 

I think Susie forgot that the goal of Snatch Game isn't to do a good impression, it's to make Ru laugh. Her impression was great, but she totally missed the laughs. It also seems like Arretty had no idea who Cupid was or what he does. It was obvious even in the walk though. If she wanted to be a baby, pick an actual baby. For gods sake, a 2 second Google search would have told her who Cupid was. So, so stupid - and not in a good way. 

[Fake Jan Brady]

9 hours ago, Red Bridey said:

Did you know Ellen whozit was also the first blonde female attorney in the original Night Court, replaced by Markie Post after one season. And she is the female singer in Meatloaf's "Paradise by the Dashboard Light"? Susie should have referenced that, but probably nobody in that group of babies have heard the song! 🤔🙄

You're confusing Ellen Greene with Ellen Foley.

[Red Bridey]

Oops. Sorry about that! Too many Ellens! Post edited.

Edited Wednesday at 01:38 PM by Red Bridey