Alright Mary: All Things Rupaul's Drag Race

Get ready for another season of redemption, reinvention and in the case of this week’s talent show, repetition, as we kick off another season of All Stars! 13 familiar faces (well, more or less, thanks to fillers and Botox) return to the workroom to not only get their hands on a crown and scepter, that ubiquitous $100,000 and maybe some cash tips for lip syncing along the way, but introduce or re-introduce themselves to an ever-growing Drag Race audience. (Well, so long as they’ve got Paramount+.) That means a lot of performances of new, original songs in the talent show–but at least Scarlett mixed things up with bubbles, Trinity tried to break the bad luck streak of comediennes past and Ra’Jah made a dress, and everyone sweat, in just 60 seconds. Yara may not have been showing off her years of hard work and professional training (hi Jan!), but she jiggled her way to the top as breast in show and duked it out against Coco Montrese to the impossibly heterosexual “Uptown Funk.̶

Whether it’s Down Under, over the border or across the Atlantic, Snatch Game is always one of the most highly-anticipated challenges of a season. Spain not only paired theirs with a reading mini-challenge but a full on ball on the runway, resulting in 21 looks and well over half of the episode dedicated to the main stage. While fave of the podcast and gold star pizza queen Arantxa does end up sashaying away, Killer Queen emerges as more than just the spitting image of Tyne Daly, our love for Pupi hasn’t pooped out and Sagittaria is finally in our orbits. 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 time for the queens to prove they’re a triple threat–a quadruple threat if you count a football mini-challenge that ends up being the least chaotic part of this episode. In teams of two, they’re selling women’s lifestyle magazines, running for dear life on a treadmill while lip-syncing to “Cha Cha Bitch,” and acting out bizarre mprov sketches that involve slapstick lesbianism and familial phone sex. A hometown roots runway is the final straw for a misunderstood Inti, Supremme divinely intervenes, Dovina and friends have a singalong, Arantxa wears a ham backpack and we tangent into some very heated discussions about pizza. 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 this episode was primarily a classic girl group challenge, the singing and dancing portion of the episode was largely overshadowed by a Veneno-inspired runway and queer royalty on the  judges panel.  Carmen snaked her way to the top of the pack while Vulcano fell from those platforms to the bottom against Arantxa in a quintessential pizza queen look. 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 Drag Race empire expands to Spain!  It’s your classic first episode of the first season format–photo shoot and a sewing challenge–but with a decidedly goosey Spanish twist. The cast is full of charisma, the drag is exciting, some of the contestants are just as exciting out of drag (Vulcano…) and Supremme and friends on the judges panel are a deluxe delight. Not to mention the workroom is the size of an IKEA showroom. The episode wraps with an exhaustive lip sync that sends a potential commentator home, but gives us a refreshingly melodramatic exit. 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

C’mon, All Stars 6, let’s get Paramount+ accounts! The game of second chances is back with another season of seasoned queens, from Pandora and Yara of yesteryear to Jan and half of Season 11. To say nothing of a longtime favorite on this podcast, Trinity K Bonet, the surprise of Serena, a welcomed third go of it for Ginger, and the big Barkin energy of Kylie Sonique Love (Hewitt Michelle Gellar). We make super early predictions, hypothesize on casting choices, call out a missing queen, and close things out with some birthday Björk. 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 BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary) 

We have been referencing this on the podcast for years and finally needed to give it its own episode. There is a video from 2012 of Dida Ritz performing at The Scorpio in Charlotte that we can’t stop queening out about. We spent 45 minutes breaking down (shutting it down, if you will) this epic 7 and a half minute performance. The truth is, we could have gone on longer. Watch it here!: https://youtu.be/HyhI-AszEnA 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 BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary) 

Mary’s! We’re covering Drag Race Down Under ONLY on Patreon this season! Here is a sneak preview of what to expect.  To get access to the rest of the season plus our OnlyMary’s discussions, DRUK S2 recap, campy queer movie classics and more, become a Matreon at Patreon.com/alrightmary Drag Race has been putting queens in rival girl groups since the very beginning and Down Under is no exception. This week the remaining eight are split off to write and record lyrics and come up with “choree” for the latest Leland production of “Queens Down Under.” While Scarlet is the starlet of the week, Elektra blows a fuse out-dancing the rest of her group and Coco takes a jumbo risk by singing, landing them both in the bottom. But the more important matter at hand is—who wrote the note? Patreon: www.patreon.com/alrightmary Email: alrightmarypodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @alrightmary Johnny: @johnnyalso (Instagram) Colin: @colindrucker (Twitter)  

Mary’s! We’re covering Drag Race Down Under ONLY on Patreon this season! Here is a sneak preview of what to expect.  To get access to the rest of the season plus our OnlyMary’s discussions, DRUK S2 recap, campy queer movie classics and more, become a Matreon at Patreon.com/alrightmary Patreon: www.patreon.com/alrightmary Email: alrightmarypodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @alrightmary Johnny: @johnnyalso (Instagram) Colin: @colindrucker (Twitter)

Mary’s! We’re covering Drag Race Down Under ONLY on Patreon this season! Here is a sneak preview of what to expect.  To get access to the rest of the season plus our OnlyMary’s discussions, DRUK S2 recap, campy queer movie classics and more, become a “Matreon” at www.patreon.com/alrightmary Ten queens from a land down under enter a smaller, scrappier workroom this week to show off their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent for $30,000 and a crown. Familiar faces Art Simone and Karen from Finance rise to their reputations, dynamic duo Kita and Anita are a lip sync waiting to happen, Johnny is coo-coo for Coco (and Pit Crew Daddy) and both of us could have done with more Jojo this season. Plus Ru times two, a refreshing Rhys, a debate over Melbourne, and a Last Chance Lip Sync we’re hoping to manifest this season.  Patreon: www.patreon.com/alrightmary Email: alrightmarypodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @alrightmary Johnny: @johnnyalso (Instagram) Colin: @colindrucker (Twitter) Web:  www.tasteofreality.co

Season 13’s long journey comes to a conclusion with one of the most surreal episodes of Drag Race. We got a parking lot full of people performing canned reactions while Jaida weaves through the cars peddling Bubly seltzer, RuPaul step-touching for her life, the Top 4 lipsyncing in and out of drag to Bette Midler’s “Friends,” Rosé’s Act One Ankle, Gottmik’s Mockingjay moments, Kandy’s flawed flag reveal and Symone helicoptering and hand acting her way to the crown.  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 BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary) 

The Zoom reunion format is back for Season 13–except this time Ru isn’t even talking live to the queens in a facekini. We do get a lot of time with the cast, including music videos from each of the runners-up, 69 Questions and a “bubbly” ad with the Top 4, and a lip sync for a good cause with this season’s assassins. And while we miss the live format, we don’t miss the cringe of it all and appreciate the opportunity for each queen to shine one more time before another season rolls into town.  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 BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary)

While the Top 4 are Y-O-U-R-E Lucky this week, Colin was not when it comes to travel plans this weekend so apologies for the delayed episode and potato quality audio. Nevertheless, we queened out on report cards, the significance of Gottmik and her impact on Ru, Symone and Reggie, and the best Top 4 numbers and where Lucky falls in the ranking. Plus, Kandy’s ghost, Rosé’s interview, talking through tears and our predictions for 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 BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary) 

The final five are green screen queens for this week’s schlocky sci-fi acting challenge. They typecast themselves in semi-familiar roles, to the benefit of Gottmik, Rosé and Symone, any of whom could have won. (But did the right queen win?) Kandy is sticky in the challenge (and sour on the runway) and Olivia’s light starts to flicker. We enjoy a visit from the ever versatile Scarlett Johansson, discuss formative gay representation from our youths, bask in the beauty of Cynthia Erivo, highlight some gold standard talking through tears and break down the tricky nuances of “being yourself” in this competition.  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 BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary) 

It’s often said that no one is safe at a roast, chickens—but that’s especially true this week whenever Utica is on stage. There are mostly groans for Symone, Olivia lacks, Gottmik gets it, Rosé continues to rise and Kandy can and does, finally securing a win this season. We look back on roasts past, discuss the online backlash to Utica, identify at least 10 branding and retail opportunities for Olivia, and welcome two new iconic fingers of Drag Race to the canon. 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 BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary) 

Come on Season 13, let’s get carbonated! This week the Top 7 are selling branded soft drinks. Symone bubbles to the top once again, but have we tasted this flavor before? Rosé is refreshingly imperfect, Kandy could add more sugar, Utica’s brand starts to fizzle, Gottmik gives a mixed mixer, Olivia is perhaps too effervescent, and Tina unfortunately just falls flat.  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 BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary) 

Makeover challenges usually mean suddenly putting a lot of new people in the workroom and trying to quickly introduce, explore and resolve their stories by the time they hit the runway. By keeping it quarantined this season, we instead got to know the Top 8 a lot better by seeing them become someone else. We also had visions of producer prompts for Char Margolis, high praise for Symotica, some raised eyebrows about one of the pairs’ makeup choices, and opinions on whether Denali deserved to skate away this episode.  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 BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary) 

Snatch Game is a guaranteed mixed bag each season. While the Season 13 girls avoided some of the bigger cardinal sins (doing Beyoncé or Lady Gaga), it was clear Symone and Gottmik had truly done their homework. (Why Symone ended up just safe this week is the bigger sin.) We also discuss the key to a good Rue, Tina sweating her Richard Simmons, how to make Bob Ross a filthy pig and our top picks for Snatch Game choices we’ve yet to see. 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 BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary) 

The competition pauses this week to take a look behind the scenes of prepping for and then filming a season of Drag Race during a pandemic. We don’t have as much to say this week about the episode itself as we do about our own feelings around COVID era taboos, the trouble with social media, navigating a concurrent mental health crisis, and of course, the joys of creating imaginary narratives about people a la Trish in Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar.  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 BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary) 

Rusicals have become a seasonal standby for topical humor, from the Kardashians to the Trump administration. This season the queens take on the behemoth of social media. While Rosé blooms this week, the judges were not living for Tina’s death scene and did not leave many likes for Symone or Kandy. Anne Hathaway provides some virtual encouragement from the wings, Denali has a Judy Blume kind of week, two taxis pull up on the runway and Gottmik gets us in the end.  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 BetterHelp Promo: betterhelp.com/AlrightMary (discount code: AlrightMary)