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TV REVIEW: RuPaul’s All Stars/Untucked – A Lesson in Survivalism
Ru, The All Mighty
As most of you know, I’m a huge fan of RuPaul and most of her girls. I’m, unfortunately, also not hooked up to a tv that has RuPaul’s shows on it, so I have to wait to watch it online. Now that I’m all caught up on the premier of last night’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Untucked” (is it me or are the titles getting a bit too long?), I’m going to let you know what happened.
I went into this new show knowing who was being sent home. It was fun watching the queens size each other up as they each made their entrances into the Werk Room. This time around the queens got to pick their teammates, unfortunately some queens didn’t get who they wanted and some queens weren’t picked at all; leaving very awk-weird teams; like Mimi Imfurst and poor Pandora Boxx.
The teams had to come up with a photo showing them mid-transformation, while their photo-shoot was to show opposites while posing in black rain. Personally I thought that Team Rujubee had real class when it came to their “Opposites” shoot, thanks to a very “ballsy” Raven. ;9
In the end it was down to Team Chad & Shannel Vs Team Mimi & Pandora. At this point, something very disturbing occurred to me about Reality tv. I wasn’t watching to find out who was going to win, I was watching to find out who was being sent home. I realized that I was par-taking in a mass bullying exercise. I, like many people, was watching a competition, not to root for the winner, but to watch who would be humiliated on national television, who would cry, whose mascara would run, and who would “act the fool”.
I felt sad in my own behavior and annoyed that this “bullying” was now what the society called “entertainment” under the guise of “competition”. —my head hurt.
Team Matrice won. Congrats to them! Here’s the premier…
Watch RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race Full Episodes – Logo TV
When I watched Untucked, I got angry. I’ve never been a fan of Mimi Imfurst. Personally, I found her first performances on RDR to be embarrassing to herself as well as anyone who watched. She was unprofessional and unladylike when she lifted another competitor over her shoulders. BUT, it was not until I watched Untucked and saw the rest of the teams, including her own teammate, verbally beat the crap out of her, without ever REALLY giving her a chance to redeem herself.
As the episode went on I realized that I was watching 30 minutes of drag bullying.
When I was younger I was a drag king and knew many a drag queen. What we call “Bullying” now was kinda…well, the language you dealt in. I’ve been out of the drag scene for many years, but I don’t think the behavior would have changed all that much. You picked and teased and snidely commented and it was meant to weed out the weak queens, or find like-minded queens. Those that didn’t bite back, got devoured. Survival of the fittest so to speak. (I was a drag king, so my opinion barely mattered in such things. I observed, as I’ve been known to do.)
Watching this on one of my favorite shows was like being punched in the tits. It hurts, but I kinda knew it would. So the question is, do I continue to watch and support a show that is a competition that shows bullying as part of the basis of the show, or do I stop supporting it because it shows drag queens being themselves, which sometimes includes bullying as part of the human experience? Hmm…
Here is Untucked. (my head hurts again.)
Get More: Watch RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race Full Episodes, Logo TV
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3 Responses to TV REVIEW: RuPaul’s All Stars/Untucked – A Lesson in Survivalism
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DJ
October 24, 2012 at 11:48 pm
Poor Mimi, being bullied by a whole bunch of losers, non whom got the crown! Raven lacks Charisma, uniqueness, and talent but has plenty of NERVE. She came in second place in her season, second place is first loser. Alexis is the one that acted a fool bringing her business to the show, you might have gotten fired because you’re a boring act. Luck for for you, you have no good speaking english yara hanging from your ass. I saw no class, and them calling themselves “all-starz” and acting all high and mighty is just plain childish! As I mentioned non of them are winners to begin with. I’m rooting for Nina! she’s the only one I feel is sincere and has all the qualities: Carisma, Uniqueness, never and talent! I was rooting for chad but after this…..she’s a hypocrite! She talks about “professionalism” but I saw non of that Monday night. She could have taken control of the situation and been a piece maker.
DINO
October 24, 2012 at 9:29 pm
I also felt there was bullying on that show. Those queens should have checked their Egos at the door! non of them were winners, so why feel like you’re more worthy of being there or act like you’re above someone else! The fans voted! Mimi was right how that situation between her and Alexis had nothing to do with the show. Alexis should balls up and not blame mimi for losing her job! Welcome to AMERICA! but it was very uncomfortable to watch, those queens should know better then to knock out someones spirit like that! Pandora herself said she almost killed herself because of this behavior, and she only stepped up when Chad told her that it would only serve her purpose to get mimi back in the competition. So she didn’t approach mimi out of concern. It was to try to save her skin. Had she not been a brat then she could have put forth more effort and creativity. So pathetic! this was so high school. Brats, bullies, egos, drama, so much unprofessionalism
JJ
October 24, 2012 at 12:33 am
I also believe Mimi Imfurst was bullied by the other contestants, and they would not let her forget how she behaved from her season. She has clearly changed physically and mentally, although Chad Michaels was right when she became a little defensive about the club incident between her and Alexis Mateo. I will miss next week’s episode because of my new work schedule at DISH. I set my Hopper to record the upcoming episode, and with all the recording room available I’m going to record the rest of the season, including “Untucked.” I’m picking Manila, JujuBee, and Raven for the spot in the top three; I can’t wait to see how the rest of the season turns out. I still have “Champion” playing in my head; I need to get used to the new music this season.