Catch up on episode one and episode two.
The infamous Snatch Game. Even in the actual RuPaul’s Drag Race, I dread Snatch Game. For those unfamiliar, it’s basically a sketch comedy routine. Each contestant chooses someone to impersonate and then participates in a dating show as that character — totally method. For those of us who have seen any local improv show in any city ever, it’s clear how easy it is to be unfunny. And yet for those of us who are improv-truthers (me) or DnD players (me) it’s also clear how funny it can be. So there’s the toss up. This is the challenge that makes famous, celebrated, globally recognized drag queens flop. But it’s also typically the most remembered challenge from any given season.
The challenge: Snatch Game, round one
Here at Studio 13’s Star Search: All Stars, this Match Game-inspired challenge divided the queens into two separate rounds, the first round being Ruth Lime, Erotica Divine-Belle, Spooky Santos and Muuvi Premiere.
There were two clear stand-outs in round one, Ruth and Erotica. Ruth chose Wendy’s, of hamburger fame, and crushed it. Playing off the game’s bachelorette, she was cheeky and flirty, but didn’t lose that signature Ruth personality, but shaped it to a character. It was a really smart choice to pick Wendy, that’s a character you can make into any one you want.
Erotica chose Black Jesus and was a clear crowd favorite. Keeping her signature blunt personality but giving it a graceful edge, she bickered with other contestants and gently flirted with the bachelorette in one fell swoop. The character was a great hook, and allowed her to display her natural humor through a universally recognized persona.
Spooky Santos chose another regular performer, Peaches Diamond, to impersonate. It was pretty wild to see Spooky in Peaches’ aesthetic, was hard to even recognize him, but he looked amazing. It was hard to tell, though, if Spooky was laughing at Peaches or with her. Some jokes that might have been funny in a friendship between the two were hard for an audience to want to laugh at. Spooky would yell something like, “I don’t have any money!” or “You can’t hit my vape!” that felt a little pointed, the audience didn’t have the closeness required to be in on the joke without feeling mean.
Muuvi Premiere had a funny hook: she was J.K. Rowling, complete with a tall, pointed witch hat. There were mixed reactions, at least in my friend group, about her performance. Some thought it was really funny and clever, others thought her transphobic jokes, as per J.K. Rowling lore, were overused and maybe even a bit too soon. She was picked by the Bachelorette as the winner, however, so what do we know?
Snatch Game, round two
The second round didn’t hit as hard as the first. Valencia La Del Barrio, Sonny Noble, Frisbee Jenkins and Virgo Frost-Belle had varying levels of success at the challenge.
Valencia as Julia Child wasn’t a huge hit. It was tough because you could feel her nervous energy, which doesn’t really compliment Julia Child’s big, bubbly personality. She was mostly quiet for the challenge, and you could tell it wasn’t her element, but the look was totally similar to Julia, with her classic long skirt and curly hair.
Sonny Noble dressed in western attire as Leslie Jordan. This was going to be a hard one no matter what Sonny did — some might remember Trinity The Tuck’s iconic Leslie Jordan Snatch Game from All Stars 7 in one of the best Snatch Games in Drag Race history. Because that comparison was in my head, and I’ll bet most of the crowd’s, I was even more critical of his version. There were certainly highs and lows, but he ended up not standing out in this challenge.
Frisbee Jenkins was this round’s star for sure. Frisbee chose Jackie Frost, another regular performer and the Bachelorette of the last round. A few of the competitors ran into the “too niche” problem, but Frisbee did an incredible job of taking Jackie’s big personality and making it fun for everyone, even those who might not know her. While Frisbee was definitely poking fun, everyone seemed to be laughing with Jackie instead of against her. Leaving the stage in the middle of the game to get a drink, perfectly emulating Jackie’s laugh — it was good-natured and funny.
Virgo Frost chose another local drag performer, Brandonna Dupri LaReese, Miss Gay United States 2015. Similar to Sonny, this performance also had its highs and lows, but wasn’t a standout. Virgo definitely got a few laughs, but in the end Brandonna might not have been the best choice.
The runway: Violet delights
This may have been the sickest runway of the season; I have no idea how it’s going to be topped. Judges Beep Beep and Lil Kimmy Blaque really stepped it up, too (dressing as a Tinky Winky and Prince, respectively). The runway theme was “purple,” and the queens took that in a million directions. Ruth Lime walked as a full emu, little orange emu feet, purple plume, the whole deal. Erotica as Prince, with a purple ’70s style bodysuit Prince would certainly have approved of. The crowd loved Frisbee’s Yzma costume almost equally as much as they loved Virgo’s giant stoned Barney. Like, actually the Barney costume, but shiny. There were a lot of wins on the runway that made it fun to watch.
The judges’ critique went quickly this week, but guest judge Jackie Frost made me look like an angel. It was insane to me that no one cried and proved furthermore that I am not meant for show business one bit. Erotica and Frisbee were announced as the top two, Sonny and Spooky announced as the bottom.
Erotica won the lip sync for the win and the crowd went nuts — it was clear that she’s a fan favorite. Everybody loves an underdog. Seeing her rise to the top has been one of the more electric parts of this competition. Unfortunately, as winner, she chooses Spooky to go home. And though I’ve been pretty hard on Spooky in this column, I’m not above admitting I was sad to see him leave. He brought the energy, the drama, and I’m not sure this is going to be as interesting without him.
Next week is the “Drag Roulette”: there are seven songs the queens must memorize before Sunday and any one could be picked for their lip sync. The runway theme? “Battle ready.” God, I hope there’s gonna be some Ren Faire types or I want my money back.
