Alright Mary: All Things RuPaul's Drag Race

The Zoom reunion format is back for Season 13–except this time Ru isn’t even talking live to the queens in a facekini. We do get a lot of time with the cast, including music videos from each of the runners-up, 69 Questions and a “bubbly” ad with the Top 4, and a lip sync for a good cause with this season’s assassins. And while we miss the live format, we don’t miss the cringe of it all and appreciate the opportunity for each queen to shine one more time before another season rolls into town.  Patreon: www.patreon.com/alrightmary Email: alrightmarypodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @alrightmary Johnny: @johnnyalso (Instagram) Colin: @colindrucker (Twitter) Web:  www.tasteofreality.com/alright-mary/  www.alrightmary.com BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary)

While the Top 4 are Y-O-U-R-E Lucky this week, Colin was not when it comes to travel plans this weekend so apologies for the delayed episode and potato quality audio. Nevertheless, we queened out on report cards, the significance of Gottmik and her impact on Ru, Symone and Reggie, and the best Top 4 numbers and where Lucky falls in the ranking. Plus, Kandy’s ghost, Rosé’s interview, talking through tears and our predictions for the finale. Patreon: www.patreon.com/alrightmary Email: alrightmarypodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @alrightmary Johnny: @johnnyalso (Instagram) Colin: @colindrucker (Twitter) Web:  www.tasteofreality.com/alright-mary/  www.alrightmary.com BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary)

The final five are green screen queens for this week’s schlocky sci-fi acting challenge. They typecast themselves in semi-familiar roles, to the benefit of Gottmik, Rosé and Symone, any of whom could have won. (But did the right queen win?) Kandy is sticky in the challenge (and sour on the runway) and Olivia’s light starts to flicker. We enjoy a visit from the ever versatile Scarlett Johansson, discuss formative gay representation from our youths, bask in the beauty of Cynthia Erivo, highlight some gold standard talking through tears and break down the tricky nuances of “being yourself” in this competition.  Patreon: www.patreon.com/alrightmary Email: alrightmarypodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @alrightmary Johnny: @johnnyalso (Instagram) Colin: @colindrucker (Twitter) Web:  www.tasteofreality.com/alright-mary/  www.alrightmary.com BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary)

This week, the roast challenge takes center stage as Utica's performance becomes a hot topic. The hosts dissect the fine balance between humor and sensitivity in competition, with Kandy finally snagging a win. They reflect on unforgettable roast moments from past seasons and celebrate the creativity of standout queens like Rosé and Gottmik. Plus, playful discussions about Olivia's branding potential and the dynamics of drag humor make for an engaging listen. Expect laughter, insightful commentary, and plenty of iconic references!

Come on Season 13, let’s get carbonated! This week the Top 7 are selling branded soft drinks. Symone bubbles to the top once again, but have we tasted this flavor before? Rosé is refreshingly imperfect, Kandy could add more sugar, Utica’s brand starts to fizzle, Gottmik gives a mixed mixer, Olivia is perhaps too effervescent, and Tina unfortunately just falls flat.  Patreon: www.patreon.com/alrightmary Email: alrightmarypodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @alrightmary Johnny: @johnnyalso (Instagram) Colin: @colindrucker (Twitter) Web:  www.tasteofreality.com/alright-mary/  www.alrightmary.com BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary)

Makeover challenges usually mean suddenly putting a lot of new people in the workroom and trying to quickly introduce, explore and resolve their stories by the time they hit the runway. By keeping it quarantined this season, we instead got to know the Top 8 a lot better by seeing them become someone else. We also had visions of producer prompts for Char Margolis, high praise for Symotica, some raised eyebrows about one of the pairs’ makeup choices, and opinions on whether Denali deserved to skate away this episode.  Patreon: www.patreon.com/alrightmary Email: alrightmarypodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @alrightmary Johnny: @johnnyalso (Instagram) Colin: @colindrucker (Twitter) Web:  www.tasteofreality.com/alright-mary/  www.alrightmary.com BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary)

The hosts dive into the chaos of Snatch Game, discussing standout performances and surprising character choices. They debate why some queens, like Symone, didn't get the recognition they deserved. Humor takes center stage as they dissect memorable impressions and potential new character ideas. The dynamic between contestants and RuPaul is explored, revealing how confidence impacts outcomes. Peppered with fun anecdotes, the discussion celebrates the artistry and legacy of drag, making it a joyous and insightful listen.

The competition pauses this week to take a look behind the scenes of prepping for and then filming a season of Drag Race during a pandemic. We don’t have as much to say this week about the episode itself as we do about our own feelings around COVID era taboos, the trouble with social media, navigating a concurrent mental health crisis, and of course, the joys of creating imaginary narratives about people a la Trish in Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar.  Patreon: www.patreon.com/alrightmary Email: alrightmarypodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @alrightmary Johnny: @johnnyalso (Instagram) Colin: @colindrucker (Twitter) Web:  www.tasteofreality.com/alright-mary/  www.alrightmary.com BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary)

Rusicals have become a seasonal standby for topical humor, from the Kardashians to the Trump administration. This season the queens take on the behemoth of social media. While Rosé blooms this week, the judges were not living for Tina’s death scene and did not leave many likes for Symone or Kandy. Anne Hathaway provides some virtual encouragement from the wings, Denali has a Judy Blume kind of week, two taxis pull up on the runway and Gottmik gets us in the end.  Patreon: www.patreon.com/alrightmary Email: alrightmarypodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @alrightmary Johnny: @johnnyalso (Instagram) Colin: @colindrucker (Twitter) Web:  www.tasteofreality.com/alright-mary/  www.alrightmary.com BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary)

The true winner of this week’s Bossy Rossy improv challenge is really Ross Mathews, but we have much to say on Olivia’s masterful miming and Symone’s divine Deborah. However, we have differing opinions on who should have won not only the challenge but the lip sync between LaLa with 2 L’s and Elliott with 2 T’s. We also discuss Tina’s role this season, familiar wigs, origin stories, Party of Five, 90’s talk show hosts and the bossiest of bosses, Judith Light.  Patreon: www.patreon.com/alrightmary Email: alrightmarypodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @alrightmary Johnny: @johnnyalso (Instagram) Colin: @colindrucker (Twitter) Web:  www.tasteofreality.com/alright-mary/  www.alrightmary.com BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary)