Alright Mary: All Things RuPaul's Drag Race

It wouldn’t be a season of Drag Race without a girl groups challenge! The nine remaining queens break into trios to create celebrity crush-inspired verses for “I’m in Love!” which is not only the title of the song but 60% of its chorus. Shea emerges with a frontrunner performance, a frontrunner runway, and a frontrunner lip sync, Blair thinks pink and it doesn’t stink, Ongina’s feathers are ruffled by a sore throat, self-doubt, and Mz Cracker, and an old favorite is our new pick for pizza queen. TransgenderLawCenter.org 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 https://www.theokraproject.com/

All Stars rules go out the window again—and a few new ones blow in just in time for 10 more stars of the series to return for Hall of Fame status. While the beats are familiar, with a good old fashioned reading challenge followed by a good old fashioned talent show, it’s a fun ride from the moment Derrick fake hugs India Farrah. While some frontrunners fell short this week, we may have already identified our Pizza Queen, as well as who we’re not sold on yet, and who we think might be our narrator this season. The Okra Project 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

This week, instead of listening to us recap the finale of Season 12 (congrats Jaida!), please use that time to watch Bob the Drag Queen and Peppermint’s discussion “Why you should say Black Lives Matter”. Click the above text or here. We also share some resources from Black Lives Matter for ways to donate, educate, and participate. Link: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/    

The 12 troopers of troubled Season 12 sissy that sleeping bag for a slumber party-style reunion. Ru wears a latex facekini and Bieber hoodie, but it’s 2020, why not? While nothing new is necessarily revealed and any conflict is purposefully performed, it’s a welcomed kiki after a kooky couple of months. To be honest, the biggest highlight for us was the cameo from Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin serving “your dad’s friends” realness. 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

The final five are taking a trip down the Vegas strip for this season’s semifinal. In an extended promotion for RuPaul’s Drag Race Live in Las Vegas, the queens are singing, dancing and rapping three numbers that were at one point before quarantine filling the seats at the Flamingo every night. Gigi goes from Goode to Great, Crystal does the Dump again, Jaida exudes confidence even with autotune, and let’s be honest, Jackie won the lip sync. We also get dance daddy Jamal Sims, the return of Leland (now with Stitch), and just so many questions about 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

This week’s lineup of one-woman shows had six very different interpretations of the challenge. While Jackie brought earnest TED talk realness, Crystal plumbed new depths of stupid to secure her first win. Gigi hit a fair bit of turbulence during her high-flying concept, Heidi’s family food fight got messy, and when it came to telling this particular story, Jaida really should have held it in. 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

This week we chatted with Lil Miss Hot Mess, one of the first queens to host Drag Queen Story Hour and the author of the new children’s book “The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish” (Running Press Kids). We discuss the inspiration behind the book, the ways kids understand and appreciate drag, and what these kinds of books can do for many queer adults. We also discuss Lil Miss’s PhD work, the evolution of digital drag and what makes a performance legendary. “The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish” is now available wherever children’s books are sold! Please consider supporting your local bookstore or buy the book on Amazon! Follow Lil Miss Hot Mess: Twitter/Instagram: @lilmisshotmess Facebook: Lil Miss Hot Mess http://www.lilmisshotmess.com 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

Six drag daughters were born this week and some of them we half-expect to see back on a future season! Superfans of the show are the subject of this season’s makeover challenge. Crystal’s method may not have gotten her a win, but she and Opal were total gems this episode. Janet the Planet had us seeing stars, Heidi needed to find something else in her closet for Honey, Gigi continued a so-so streak, Jackie and Lil Snackie left us hungry for more, and, well, Jaida Essentially Has This Season in the Bag (Hall). The episode ends in the rare but requisite Double Shantay, but should Ru have killed the lights on one of the bottom two this week? 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

Political satire meets drag in a lively showdown as six queens battle it out, with Jaida taking a clear lead. The emotional challenges of drag performance highlight the fine line between personal identity and artistic expression. A humorous take on a cat-themed challenge adds levity, while discussions on authenticity and representation delve into deeper socio-political themes. The playful dynamics between RuPaul and the contestants showcase a blend of humor and heart. All this culminates in a captivating reflection on self-discovery through the lens of drag culture.

Jan may have been selling the hell out of the Jantasy, but the judges just weren’t buying it. This week, the queens craft some GOOP-inspired crap to sell to the masses in a commercial directed by the fab, fit, fun Bob Harper. (Also, how about that FabFitFun-sponsored reading challenge? Was it a more fab and fun fit than a traditional reading challenge?) Heidi nabs a win for her efforts this episode and season so far, Jackie is Adult in the Room excellence, and Crystal continues to be the true dark horse of the competition. While Jaida’s frontrunner status remains secure this week, Gigi’s schtick isn’t working so good and Widow must channel Chaka to send Jan Sp*rt and her veritable backpack of tricks packing. 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