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Reviews
RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs the World: West End Wendys (2022)
Pure camp
People are being too bitter. The outcome was devastating but you can't deny that this episode was great TV and totally entertaining. The challenge was meh but the lipsynch, the drama, the mirror message, all of it was pure camp gold.
West Side Story (2021)
Ariana DeBose!
Was a remake of West Side Story necessary? No. I don't really think it added anything much and it's always dangerous taking on a classic. It was interesting to see Spielberg's style applied to a musical, but it was a bit overdone in parts (yes, even for a musical).
Ariana DeBose though was the absolute scene stealer. Every moment she was on screen, she was electric. Of course it helps that she's at the centre of some of the biggest showpiece numbers (America and the dance at the gym). She was fantastic and deserves every bit of praise coming her way.
Survivor: A New Era (2021)
Is Jeff ok?
I'm trying to give this new season a chance so my rating may be a bit generous. This was not a good start. Firstly, Jeff looks like a reanimated corpse and his manic energy in the challenges was unsettling. The removal of opening credits is just bizarre, they're beloved for a reason. The confected "come on in guys" dilemma was also just so unnecessary.
The episode was overloaded with twists and advantages that were hard to keep track of, and the worst bit is they all seem pretty lame. Speaking of lame, the supposed return to real hard surviving with no supplies was a fizzer so far. There was no survival content in this episode (maybe it will come later?) And what was with the campsites being pre-cleared?
On the bright side, the casting has potential and the tribal council was entertaining - although if that's what they're all going to be like it will get exhausting fast.
Survivor: Boys vs. Girls (2003)
Cringe worthy
The casting really didn't age well, and was clearly unbalanced and over-produced. Most of the comments in this episode were just cringeworthy. Great challenge though.
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: This Is Our Country (2021)
Good season, stale finale
The final 4 finale format is well and truly stale. I just felt no investment in this episode because it's followed the same cookie cutter format as every other final challenge for the last many seasons, which has no clear impact on the final result anyway. The first half of the episode could have been from any other season. Then the critiques, for some reason they've clearly decided they're not allowed to say anything critical in the finale, which makes it seem even more pointless and low stakes. At least the final lip sync was great (even though the 'twist' was, again, predictably the same as the last few seasons) and a great winner.
Survivor: Too Little, Too Late? (2000)
The challenges!
Watching this season for the first time after being used to modern survivor, the challenges are so refreshing. They genuinely mix things up and test different skills rather than being mindlessly, repetitively physical.
This episode was also great for Ramona. I really enjoyed seeing her come out of her shell and embrace the game, but sadly for her it was too little too late.
Australian Survivor: Episode #6.1 (2021)
Unbalanced
A decent start but Australian Survivor has long had a problem of favouring physical fitness and strength in the challenge design which will be a real problem in a brain vs brawn season if they don't balance it with different skill based challenges. It ends up leading to seasons dominated by buff meatheads rather than allowing for more interesting strategic players to succeed.