Let’s start this off with your Black History Fact of the Day!
Althea Gibson was an American tennis player and professional golfer, and the first black athlete to cross the color line of international tennis. In 1956, she became the first person of color to win a Grand Slam title (the French Open). The following year she won both Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals (precursor of the U.S. Open), then won both again in 1958, and was voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in both years. She won 11 Grand Slam tournaments, including six doubles titles, and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Come on Althea!
So if you think back to the first episode of Empire. We opened with this song.
I’ve been listening it non-stop ever since. I love her voice, I love the harmonies. SO GOOD.
How is your week going? Team Trash is here to talk about Drag Race! Obviously!
We open the episode with Darienne serving up some shade to Milk over her last runway. While I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Lamaze realness, Darienne would be better served tailoring her gowns rather than concerning herself with the competition.
Laganja discusses the last Untucked where she received a message from her parents. Now I love Laganja because she’s super obnoxious but has some measure of talent. But girl, no matter what? This is a competition. You all get along and share a bond. But no one is obligated to give your the floor just because your family sent a supportive message to you. Bianca obviously made a joke to lighten the mood and you are too busy being offended to see that she was happy for you. Bye girl, fly girl.
The next day, Laganja has arrived with a Badu headpiece. I’m not going to lie, I’m living for it a little. But it’s clearly a grab for attention. Bianca calls her on it and proceeds to read the fuck out it. At this point, Bianca is approaching Jade from ANTM levels of love for me.
We get no mini-challenge this week as RuPaul announces The Snatch Game! This episode is always a treat. It tests the queens’ ability to be funny,impersonate a celebrity, and banter in real time. No amount of fishiness is going to win this. I mean this is the challenge that made Jinkx Monsoon and Tatianna into competitors. Where we got to Chad Michaels be completely fabulous. Sharon’s Michelle Visage? Willam’s Jessica Simpson? This is the challenge that can get you to the finals if you play your cards right.
So who is everyone portraying?
Adore Delano – Anna Nicole Smith
Ben DeLaCreme – Maggie Smith
Bianca Del Rio – Judge Judy
Courtney Act – Fran Drescher
Darienne Lake – Paula Deen
Gia Gunn – Kim Kardashian
Joslyn Fox – Teresa Guidice
Laganja Estranga – Rachel Zoe
Milk – Julia Child
Trinity K. Bonet – Nicki Minaj
Ru shakes Dela’s and Milk’s confidence doubting their ability to bring the funny with their characters.
Adore impresses with a note-for-note rendition of Anna’s MTV VMA speech. Let’s relive that because it truly is amazing.
God, I love her. And knowing that Adore does too makes me like her way more. Laganja actually seems with it in her interactions with Ru. RuPaul tells us that she watches Judge Judy every single day, putting a crap-ton of pressure on Bianca. I’m not worried for her.
Gia shows that she knows nothing about the Snatch Game when she initially picks Selena. This is different than Milk and Ben who at least understand being over the top. The thing about the Snatch Game is that the look actually means very little. If you look like the celebrity, it’s a great help but Alaska and Sharon pulled it out without looking exactly alike because they brought humor and performance to the challenge. Adore is totally correct in her assessment that there is nothing you can do with Selena. Selena is many things; beautiful, talented, and taken way before her time. But funny, she is not.
Gia does course correct changing to Kim Kardashian who is at least ripe for parody. We jump right into the game. Listen, kudos to the editors for making it the focus of the episode. I like that a lot.
Gillian Jacobs (from Community) and Heather Macdonald (from Chelsea Lately) are our celebrity guest judges.
During the game, Judge Judy is already amazing. Bianca obviously prepared for this but seriously, she is bringing it. Anna Nicole is KILLING me! Adore is really rising in my estimation because this is a genuinely strong performance. Julia is a little bland and Milk is not prepared at all. You can see that Ru is not feeling it. Fran Drescher is great but the humor isn’t as strong. Rachel is…okay. Darienne as Paula is inspired but simply is overshadowed. She was good though. Gia Gunn is way too dumb for this. She’s simply not clever enough to even compete. Joslyn Fox is incredible. I already declared my love for her but she is wearing me out. Ben Delacreme as Maggie Smith is divine. Every detail was thought out. Every answer and response made total sense given the character. Brilliant. Seriously, Trinity K. Bonet should do a Nicki Minaj tribute show. She looks just like her in profile. As for the humor…
We went back to the old country and figure out how to pronounce it. Johnson. -Joslyn
Like my body?!? – Adore
Let’s just keep it at Mr. Charles and Dame Smith! -Dela
BOLOGNA! – Bianca
Well I could you a fried bologna sandwich myself! – Darienne
“I put hair. And I think I won…” -Adore
“Am I too understand that one rips the telephone right out of the wall and takes it with them? – Dela
“EXCUSE ME, WE ORIGINATED THE LANGUAGE!” – Dela
“Beauty fades. DUMB IS FOREVER!” -Bianca
‘Prostitution Whorses” – Joslyn
“Vod–cuh” -Adore
“Cumin! Cumin.” -Joslyn
“I did think it would be rather amusing if libations were flavored with citrus!” -Ben
Trash’s Favorite Confessional Reads
“That’s unfortunate…” –Trinity on Laganja’s Rachel Zoe voice
“Milk ain’t no Meryl Streep!”– Bianca on Milk
Pause. Joslyn Fox’s Fran Drescher is AMAZING. Like her Mr. Sheffield is so on point. She could win with that performance.
So if you can’t tell by the favorite lines section, this really came down to Dela, Bianca, Joslyn, and Adore. Honestly, I thought this was the absolute best Snatch Game in terms of top performances. I laughed out loud several times.
We learn more about Ben’s history being overweight and her mother’s death. It is completely moving and I think that she makes sense on how she uses it to be stronger today. Bianca volunteers to lend Adore a cincher to keep her out of Michelle’s claws. Aww nice Bianca. Since Adore was so great in the Snatch Game, I’m totally feeling their bond.
On to the Runway. Michelle dressed as RuPaul is always fun. I also love RuPaul’s technicolor gown. Let’s talk about the runway which asked the girls to be inspired by RuPaul’s Night of 1000 Gowns.
Joslyn Fox – Looks spectacular. This is her best look so far.
Gia Gunn – DAT. WIG. THOSE BOOBS. NO GAWD. This is almost as bad as that creature thing she wore in episode 2.
Darienne Lake – Love the mask. She really needs to either have more train or cut a split in her gowns. This looks is so close to amazing but the awkward fall of her gowns isn’t working for me.
Laganja Estranja – I love the catsuit, but her wig is not the answer.
Bianca Del Rio – Look at the makeup! Her face is beat for Zeus, but the gown isn’t the best.
Adore Delano – Really needs to get better gowns and wigs.
Trinity – The gown isn’t great but she managed to channel Ru.
Ben DelaCreme – LISTEN HERE YOU BITCH!!!! YOU ARE EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW.
Courtney Act – Such a good idea channeling Supermodel of the World Ru. Love the wings and the twirl.
Milk –
Okay. I actually like the idea. And unlike last week, Milk did truly put some thought into this one. That said, her instincts were SO SO WRONG!!!! Like completely off. Ru specifically said Night of 1000 Gowns. Did she not see how unimpressed Ru was with Alaska last season? No ma’am!
Courtney, Darienne, Joslyn, and Trinity are the safe queens this episode.
At the judging, the top queens are Bianca, Ben, and Adore.
Bianca’s Judge Judy is praised and she was fabulous. Adore is read for her look, but she nailed the performance. Ben DeLaCreme was incredible and looks incredible. Gillian mentions that she’s been saying her line about the language all day, which is high praise.
The bottom queens are Gia, Laganja, and Milk.
Gia’s eye makeup is fucked up. Let’s let Courtney demonstrate.
And Michelle and Ru are completely correct in their assessment that Gia was not funny and not prepared for this challenge. Laganja is told that her mannerisms were off and that she didn’t work in enough catch phrases. She admits that seeing how good the other girls were threw her off. This is honestly why I like her. She may be all over the place and obnoxious, but she has the self awareness to realize that she wasn’t strong here. Michelle is totally correct in her assessment that I love the idea of Boy Ru and the execution. But like i said before, this is the wrong time to debut this look. Santino straight up says that a shocking look for Milk would be traditionally pretty.
Let’s digress for a bit. In the past few seasons, two queens (Sharon Needles and Jinkx Monsoon) have won the show while not using a lot of glamour in their looks. But because this is a show, they both were able to demonstrate to the panel that they were capable of it. This gave the judges comfort in their ability to straight up “turn it the fuck out.” Milk has to show that if she wants to really compete.
Ru advises Milk to show more vulnerability similar to her discussion about being afraid of being less than in glamour versus glamour-off with the rest of the girls .
Once the girls are off stage, Ru comments that this is the tightest Snatch Game in history. It’s nice to see the runway factor into the discussion. They haven’t lost their focus on the challenge. Michelle continues to hate on Ben DelaCreme and she is completely wrong. Ben playing an old lady is not the same as being in a rut.
Gillian is totally correct in saying that Kim K. should have tried to start each sentence with a K.
The girls come back and Ben Delacreme wins!!! WERQ!!!!
Dela’s runway look really put her over the top for me. She’s the first queen to two wins this season!
Milk is sent to safety as Gia and Laganja fall into the bottom two. The two queen lip sync to Head to Toe by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam. Love this song!!!!
Gia is doing her best in her gown and unflattering padding but Laganja’s dance ability and legs take it for her and save her from elimination. Gia is sent home but seriously her wig is so offensive.
But to be honest, this is a shocker for me. I would have never expected Ru to get rid of Gia so early. She is a bitchy, dumb queen with a hint of talent. But she’s not as focused or skilled a la Roxxxy Andrews to overcome her weaknesses.
This set of queens really is fantastic. There are weaknesses and no one queen has it all, but from top to bottom, this is the strongest set of queens to date.
How did you like the episode? Let us know in the comments below or over on the Twitter at @ClassNTrashShow.
Okay, I’m sorry. That was a cheap, easy joke. And Team Trash should be better than that. It’s just Trash this time.
We get a throwaway mini challenge this week. Female or Shemale. The queens saw extreme close-ups of either drag queens or biological womens and had to guess which was which. Ben DeLaCreme (yay!) and Adore (ugh…) win and become team captains for the main challenge.
Shade the RuSical! I can already tell you that Class is jealous that he was not one the show for this episode.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. The show immediately starts out with the “Battle of the Idols” between Courtney Act and Adore Delano. We knew that when they hit the singing challenge, this would come up. Personally, I think that Adore has the stronger voice, but Courtney has more control and is more effortless.
Also, let’s just talk about this. Because it makes me happy.
As the queens rehearse, we hear Gia’s singing voice.
Ru visits and as the queens prepare, Joslyn gets in a quick read citing Bianca Del Rio and inspiration for her butch queen look. She really has more going for her than I thought.
Trinity is showing her ass because she’s nervous. To quote Alyssa Edwards, “Get a grip, get a life, and get over it.” This is season 6. Show up and compete, ho!
Listen. Joslyn Fox is everything this episode. I really do feel bad for April. You can tell that she is putting in 100% effort and she simply isn’t a musical queen.
“Is she frustrated sexually?” Shut up Gia.
Ooh Trinity. You are out of line. And defensive. Get it together. I get that Bianca has a slick mouth but you should be able to take it.
Laganja is so obnoxious and I love her.
What’s a Tony? Good bye Gia.
Adore talks about “butching” it up for Idol. Which sucks that she wasn’t able to really be herself as she competed.
Gia discusses her history of kabuki which is actually interesting. If she spent more time talking about her past instead of being dumb and catty, I might like her.
We have not given Ru props for looking amazing on the runway each week. She looks phenomenal.
SHERYL LEE RALPH!!!! ::yas gif::
And cute Lucian. Hey boo.
The Dragbill was a nice touch, Ru.
Shade: The Rusical
Darienne’s dancing is not good and weakens her and Gia’s performance.
Ben is FABULOUS! She totally brought it as the Shady Lady. Could have won.
COURTNEY is everything. She’s a fucking star.
Bianca is actually great and is really shining.
Trinity and Gia…do better than expected. Neither is going to win but both really give it their all.
Adore’s look is just a mess. But her singing is good-ish. She has sounded better.
Laganja and Joslyn are great. Joslyn seriously is amazing here. LUV HUH.
Milk should be better than this. Like she’s not the worst, but her look is disappointing.
Poor April is trying her absolute best. It’s not a good performance though.
Runway Rundown
Bianca continues to look smashing. But she still needs to show a new silhouette.
Trinity looks okay but some of her looks still reads a little inexpensive.
Darienne – Ooh girl, this is bad. It doesn’t flow like a gown should.
Gia looks much better than last week. But I’m not a huge nude fan in general though.
Ben is drag fabulousness. Loving Ben and she better make the top six.
Courthey Act is fabulous. Like there’s no critique when you look like that.
Laganja is love. I honestly think she looks amazing most of the time. Alyssa taught her well.
April’s gown is pretty, but this is not her best. Last week’s rainy day was her high point.
Joslyn looks good, too. Gia was correct in that her wig was not hot.
Milk disappointed me this week. Her look this week was weird but it’s not interesting or clever this time like the past 2 weeks
Adore looks okay. This was better than last week but her looks just aren’t very good.
Judging
During the judging panel, Sheryl READS the dog shit out of Trinity. Darienne is clueless, failing to realize that she was not great in the Rusical. Michelle is completely wrong for coming for Ben. She killed it. And Courtney brought it…but came across a little arrogant during the judging. But she knows that she rocked it. Can’t blame her there.
Adore didn’t cinch again. And her dress is worse upon closer inspection. Ooh, the reads for April. Poor girl, she really is trying her hardest. The judges hate Trinity’s diction but Ru defends her flipper. They do hate her attitude. Sheryl is life acquired. Permanent guest judge!
Courtney and Ben really are the shining stars. Michelle is OFF here. Santino is defending Adore and I guess she really shouldn’t go this week. Poor April. All of the effort is noted though.
I love the reveal of the winners. Courtney wins!!!! Obviously though. She really nailed it. Adore and Ben are top.
Darienne is saved from the bottom two, leaving Trinity and April to lip sync to I’m Every Woman by Chaka Khan. These girls better bring it.
And they both do! Trinity is WERQING her fan! April is really good though but like Dida Ritz before her, sometimes a black girl just can’t be beat. Trinity chantays and April Carrion is told to sashay away.
I am sad for April. She really is a gorgeous girl and she is by no means a bad queen. I hope the best for her.
What did you guys think? Let us know on Twitter at @ClassNTrashShow or in the comments below.
Pause: I don’t typically talk about Untucked but let’s talk about how dumb Gia is. Gia was being ignorant and being rude. Milk, for all of her issues, is not below anyone. And Gia is literally the worst. THE WORST. She isn’t actually that great a fishy queen and yet she acts like she’s sitting.
Joslyn is so right in this argument. And I’m living for her.
Our show is back!! And we both are so excited. Class and Trash are going to be sharing our opinions of the queens this season and putting them through their paces until we have a WINNAH!!!!
So the first 7 queens competed in a TV themed episode with a high flying photoshoot and then a runway using show-themed items. Let’s talk the queens first:
Adore Delano: We both want to like Adore but something about her is off. Trash thinks her face is oddly pudgy and angular. Class finds her personality a bit forced. Class noticed that she paints in a way that makes her look bloated.
April Carrion: Trash will admit that he thought April was going to be super dull in the previews but she’s definitely got more to her than meets the eye. Class loved her look on the runway.
Gia Gunn: Absolutely not.
Class thinks she’s trying to hard to be like Phi Phi. Phi Phi is Trash’s least favorite drag racer so that does not bode well for her. Gia’s voice is annoying, her drag really isn’t interesting, and her cattiness isn’t even funny.
Ben Dela Creme: Trash loves her! She’s going to have to show her real self to Ru but I think she definitely has a level of polish and good comedic timing that will serve her well. Class thought she was a bit blah, but being a cute boy helps!
Vivacious: Yaaaaaaass! Vivacious is such an old school 90s queen that you can’t help but root for her. That said, we were both disappointed from the moment she struggled with her zipper.
Trash was expecting a Chad Michaels level of polish. Class is still pressed that she didn’t practice her zipper reveal for the intro. Girl this is season 6. She needs to up her game because that runway walk and little kick won’t cut it in the long run.
Laganja Estranga: LIVING FOR HER! She’s totally over the top and rides the line of being annoying but we both loved the death drop. I thought her photo was the clear winner and that she’s got a performance ability that will at well. Trash wasn’t a huge fan on the runway look but she really does have her drag mother’s (Alyssa Edwards) likeability.
Kelly Mantle: Trash wants to like her. She seems funny and entertaining. But once Class pointed out that she looks like Jade Jolie’s mom, it was a wrap for Kelly. Her intro look didn’t impress and that wig on the runway??? BURN IT BITCH! Let that shit MELT in a fire.
On the runway, Ben DeLa Creme won the challenge with Gia and April in the top. Adore escaped the bottom two, leaving Vivacious and Kelly to lip sync to “Express Yourself” by Madonna.
Neither Class or Trash know how Adore wasn’t in the bottom. The dress and wig were not it.
Vivacious stayed after impressing Class with her lip sync and Kelly’s wig gave up so she sashayed away.
We both agree that this was the right call. Can’t wait to meet the other 7 queens next week!
Who were your faves and do you agree with Ru? If you haven’t seen the episode, catch it here on LogoTV.com. Let us know your thoughts on the episode in the comments section below and on twitter at @ClassNTrashShow.
