Alright Mary: All Things Rupaul's Drag Race

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

On this episode we discuss RuPaul on SNL, a couple of episodes from AJ and the Queen, the Oscars, and share some more thoughts on Season 12 of Drag Race. Mary, start your engine cuz Season 12 begins *next week.* Last Chance Lip Sync link: https://soundcloud.com/aayize/u-will-nvr-b-mine 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

Hey Mary! Here’s a little preview of the podcast: Dying For Sex! If you like it, subscribe where you find your podcasts or find out more here! 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 erect a digital billboard celebrating the gay satire “Adam and Steve” from 2005. Throughout this movie, you get a healthy dose of why Parker Posey is the perfect indie film star, a choreographed line-dancing scene that’ll have you waving your color-coded bandana, Jackie Beat contributing in the lowest way possible, and a plot line that mocks gay men’s collective worst fear. This one had us boisterous and giggly, Mary! 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’re hitting the road with Ruby Red Ru and her angry small companion for the first three episodes of AJ and the Queen! We discuss Ru’s acting in and out of drag, Izzy G’s rage readings, the cavalcade of cameos from Ru girls, clunky lines, tone deaf blind jokes, chirpy music cues, Adrienne Barbeau, what happens at drag shows, and why you should keep watching. 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

Hey Mary! We present to you a little bonus clip from an interview Justin Long did with Kristen Bell on his podcast Life is Short with Justin Long. On the podcast, Justin chats with famous friends about how we spend our time in a fast moving world. Subscribe and listen to Life is Short with Justin Long and other great Wondery shows on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 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 that time of year again, Mary’s! A new batch of queens have arrived for Season 12, and whatever Drag Race fatigue we were feeling disappeared through the gap in Heidi N Closet’s teeth. Once again, New York is heavily represented in the workroom, from the refreshing Brita to the batty Nicky Doll. But Missouri loves company, so we’ve got two queens representing the state this season, plus a San Francisco treat full of tricks, the Essence of Milwaukee, a bedroom queen from Georgia, a sinful sibling from Aja’s drag family, great drag from a Goode queen and the revelation that is Heidi. 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 season 7 reunion/finale double feature is a great reminder that a lot of the season’s charisma was eliminated each week. The top 3 perform final lip syncs that are, well, FINE, Trixie tries her Ru impression out on Ru, Kennedy’s mom doesn’t do audience participation, Ginger has robot feet, Max gets one last drag, Kandy is candente, and Katya is the clear winner of the season. Season 7 has officially come through, and we’re so proud to see it, again. 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