Alright Mary: All Things Rupaul's Drag Race

This week’s TMZ-inspired improv challenge was, well, no hot scoop. While we were alternately intimidated and aroused by the bro-fest in the SheMZ offices (led with ascotted perfection by Carson Kressley), the biggest highlight of the three scenes was mostly Ross Mathews. Then it was camo on the runway, giving us a war zone of choices from Blair’s butterfly bush to Mayhem’s bathing suit. We also get Morgan’s cape, Sarah Hyland’s unfortunate self-introduction, and Michelle getting untucked. Donate to: National Black Justice Coalition: https://www.mightycause.com/organization/nbjc Sphinx Organization: http://www.sphinxmusic.org/ Transgender Law Center: https://transgenderlawcenter.org/donate https://www.theokraproject.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

It’s not uncommon for a season of Drag Race to lose the plot a little on the third episode (Shakesqueer, anyone?), but this week really went on a sudden vacation. The eight remaining queens are tasked with the ever-relevant task of designing themed hotel rooms. The results are, as expected, not exactly Fodor’s favorites. A 3-in-1 runway makes us nostalgic for Drag Race Thailand, the judges’ critiques are meticulously “crafted” for social media chaos, and the lip sync is surprisingly more of a mercy kill than an assassination. Donate to: Sphinx Organization: http://www.sphinxmusic.org/ TransgenderLawCenter.org/donate https://www.theokraproject.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

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

A reality TV star became president once, why couldn’t it happen again? The Season 12 primaries are down to 6 queens this week vying to be America’s Next Drag President. It’s no debate that Jaida won by a landslide. Heidi and Crystal were strong moderates while Jackie was too liberal with the Canadian jokes. Gigi’s repeat robot gig probably should have put her against a weary Widow in the final lip sync, but the electoral college of judges spoke otherwise (and instead gave us some iconic patriotism from Jackie). Regardless, we’d happily take 4 more years of Goldblum/Bloom as guests. 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

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

This week’s Madonna Rusical was a nearly immaculate collection of the Queen of Pop’s many identities over the decades. Despite Jan’s best attempts at expressing herself, Gigi struck a pose (and won the challenge) like there was nothing to it. Just like a prayer, Crystal and Jaida both took us there, but it seems nothing really matters to the judges when it comes to Widow. Heidi’s ray of light dimmed a bit, Jackie sang like a virgin, and Brita learned the power of goodbye. All contestants need to take a bow, though, because this episode got us back into the groove. 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

As much as things have changed lately, we can still rely on one thing staying the same: a classic round of Snatch Game on Drag Race. Gigi solves a problem like Maria the Robot while Jackie Cox pulls out all the props as Mrs. Harry Hamlin. Apparent New Yorker Brita gets close to being told she is in fact going with her jaw-y Jennifer Holliday, Aidan is rocky horrible as Patricia Quinn, and at least Crystal didn’t try to do El DeBarge. Then it’s Disney on ice on the runway and the season’s biggest feud ends as expected in a flurry of a lip sync. 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

Pick me, choose me, crown me! This week’s acting challenge is inspired by the emotional triage of Grey’s Anatomy. But the real code red is in Untucked this week, where Heidi puts the room in the ICU with some well-placed FU’s. Meanwhile Nicky struggles to show her funny bone, Jackie continues to be benign at best, and Aiden puts Brita into near cardiac arrest for being safe. 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 elimination certainly rocked our expectations for Ms. Sakura this season, but this isn’t the first time Drag Race has had a surprise elimination that got everyone talking. While Gigi Goode continues to do well, Jaida truly bubbles over in this week’s Ball Ball. Meanwhile, Brita falters, Aidan avoids a penalty for her rough referee, Nicky insists she’s more than just a doll, and Leslie Jones has the time of her life, your life, and everyone else’s life as guest judge and Untucked Oprah. Buy books through Powell’s Books’ union partner link: https://www.ilwulocal5.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

While the World’s Worst wasn’t the world’s worst episode we’d seen, it certainly lacked the X-Factor of past improv challenges, with many of the queens idle at best. We’re not saying Season 12 doesn’t got talent, but Dahlia’s wilted broccoli was a no for us, dog. Also, this definitely wasn’t Shark Tank, so we’re not sure why Widow’s team was selling nut butter. Then it’s appliqués on the runway with buttons, bows, and blousy sweater dresses. Crystal’s method is questioned, Heidi nose how to charm the judges even if they hate her name, and Nicky is hanging by a thread. 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

It’s deja vu all over again with another Season 12 premiere! 5* more queens enter the workroom/public eye this week and are put through similar paces as the first 7, with a fashion show, a stage show, a runway show and a legacy lip sync in front of the artist/judge. It’s a lower key premiere, including a mellowed out Robyn on the judges panel and a stripped down cellblock tango, but we’re excited for Jan’s *beep*, the zaniness of Aidan, Rock M’s role in the room, Jaida’s whole essence and Dahlia’s armpit hair. 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

Put on your best leprosy print and pass the hummus Mary, because Season 12 is H-E-A-R! Well, sort of. In the first of many goops, only 7 of the 13 queens competed this week in a drag crash course of fashion, group choreography, and rapping in front of Nicki Minaj. Despite Heidi’s surprise aversion to kale, Nicky’s mental jet lag, and Jackie’s five o’clock shadow, this week was not about cutting down the competition. Is this shaping up to be a kinder season of Drag Race or are we counting these North Carolina chickens before they’re snatched? 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

We come to the end of our off-season with our discussion on the back half of AJ and the Queen (which was an improvement on the front!). We discuss the show’s treatment of pageants, find connections with The Comeback and The Wizard of Oz, Running-With-A-Purse-In-The-80’s acting style, RuPaul finding his groove, and we praise Latrice Royale as the series’ best actress. With all that said… we’ll see you “in season” next 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