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Reviews
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under (2021)
Lukewarm beginnings for Aussie drag
*This review was written after the first 2 episodes*
Glad ANZ queens are getting the spotlight. Always worth the watch for the sheer talent of these queens and the crass Aussie & Kiwi humour, and damn they lip sync well! I do feel bad for the New Zealand queens - 'Down Under' usually just refers to Australia. The judges only make corny American-centric Australian references. By the looks of things not a single challenge is going to revolve around New Zealand culture or comedy at all. Rhys Nicholson was actually a great pick as a judge, all things considered.
I'd put the production quality as better than Canada's Drag Race but worse than Drag Race Holland, so not bad for a first season and small-ish budget. The main judge refused to get into drag because they apparently can't be bothered to paint themselves come the circumstance, which is highly disappointing. The covid celebrity appearances were either filmed in 2k or on a 144p webcam, and were either presented to the queens on a big tv screen or on a tiny 2013 iMac computer. Where is the consistency and quality? Also not happy about them purposefully sending queens undeserving of the bottom 2 home for the 'gag', just for them to come back later in the competition. It is going to happen just like it has time and time again on other RPDR seasons, mark my words...
Love on the Spectrum (2019)
Eye-opening, heartfelt and well produced
I am so glad I found this show. The people it follows are unique and interesting in their own ways. Love on the Spectrum explores the complexity of dating with disabilities/Autism Spectrum Disorder well. It prompts thought about dating mannerisms people without ASD take for granted, and how hard it can be to find love if you're on the spectrum.
This show is well produced and deserves more love. I really loved everyone it followed and am impressed there was representation for LGBTQI+ people on the spectrum as well.
Canada's Drag Race (2020)
A very rough-around-the-edges Drag Race experience.
Bad judging, production and writing and overal a boring watch
CDR's smaller production budget would have been a great chance to adapt and deviate from the current US RPDR format. Instead, we got this...
All of the judges look and sound uncomfortable. Some episodes, best in challenge + OK/bad runway = no win. Other episodes, worst in challenge + great runway = win. Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman is particularly rude to queens. Brooke Lynn conveys little emotion. Stacey McKenzie is the only judge who consistently gives constructive criticism. The guest judges have been great, however.
Terrible production - bad lighting that does nothing for the queens, strange editing with over-use of sound effects and haphazard cuts and corny/unfunny writing.
I'm giving this 3 stars solely for the queens. They are all talented in their own ways and deserve better. They also certainly don't deserve to be body shamed in front of an international audience the way they were.
(Edited after 4 more episodes)
The Boulet Brothers' Dragula: Search for the World's First Drag Supermonster: The Operating Theatre (2019)
You don't need a big budget to create visceral TV
Dynamic and interesting maxi challenge that showcased the competitors' insane skills, GREAT guest judges that made useful constructive critiques and a nail-biting elimination sequence. This episode shows that you don't need a flashy budget to create real, visceral TV. I was smiling, jumping and had my heart in my throat. Really well done.