FUNNY QUEENS

This week’s installment of RuPaul’s Drag Race (Start-Your-Engines) kicked off with the opening montage (love that damn star crown) and away the girls drove into their Mini-Challenge. The library was open and reading commenced as the “legendary children” (Ru’s words, not mine) “Threw Shade” – or read (pronounced red) each other for filth. Some did a really good job. I wondered how I would fare with this challenge. I can definitely read but the pressure of immediate snapping, watch out. I assume that whatever is on your mind works. By this time I bet they were very over each other so maybe it was easy. All of those personalities clashing. The Heathers vs. the “Boogers” (The Heathers words, not mine.) Whew. Try keeping up. I am.

Shangela gets the win and also has the advantage of preparing the order of the other girls’ comedic performances for the Main Stage Challenge. Each Doll has to prepare a stand-up routine and I was with Raja when she said it wasn’t something she was looking forward to. I’m very funny (me) but as agreed it’s all about timing and one can fall flat very quickly. Two of the Queens really felt the pressure and found themselves in the bottom two even after coaching from Rita Rudner (looking good) and judgement from Arden Myrin (love that blonde from “Chelsea Lately”) and RuPaul in a piece of lovely hair that looked like it had been flat-ironed straight. Delta Work and Manilla Luzon. Yes, 2 Heathers! Cue gasp.

Of course Shangela played her cards the way a puppeteer would his strings. She smartly stacked the cards in her favor and away from the Heathers. Sorry chicks. All four of you would have done the same thing but would have you been as smart about it?! Doubtful. This moment gives the confident Shangeloo a chance to say “Haleloo!” Rightfully so. The other girls did come at her with knives and the competition is really starting to heat up. Accelerate Dolls or get off the track.

The Main Stage Challenge served nerves under pressure as they each stood before a live audience of fags and fag-hags (no judge, no tea) and performed comedy. Raja was first and did a look from Carrie and was funny. Her mug was beat! She looked really good other than the bloody paint. Carmen wanted to be fat allegedly and won the praise of Rita on loan from Las Vegas. Alexis easily got away with inflatable tits. The crowd obviously would love it, and did. Shangela put herself fourth and came out as a “Post Modern Pimp Ho” (her title) and didn’t want the crowd to “clown her for her cliff-hangers” (again, her brilliant words.) Translation: Please don’t read for her toes that hang off the front of her shoes. Shangela WORKED it! The crowd was eating out of her hands. Luzon faltered in a stunning canary showgirl costume that went well with her dated Sesame Street jokes. Yara came running out fast on her knees and the crowd snapped. She was very funny as a little Latin person. A very nervous Delta really blundered and as we learned during her mini-breakdown (“Pick me, Pick me, Pick me”) backstage during Untucked she was ready to go.

It was her time to go and after a tough lip-sync to save lives, Manilla rightly stayed and the Heathers hovered over a leaving Work. I like Delta as a performer from what I’ve seen on the show. From what she has decided to show us on RDR or what the editors have intended on showing us is up to them and we can only go by what we are shown. There were times she really bothered me with her negativity and bullying. I know drag queens must be tough, but with each other?! Many around these parts know her personally and speak highly of her. I don’t know her at all, here locally. Delta’s closing words were that she was happy to be losing to a Heather rather than a Booger. Again, her words, not mine. If you watched then you can make your own judgement. No tea, Boo. That’s just mine. Happy people are happy.