A moment of silence for Drag Race Down Under, it passed away, it had beautiful cucu sitting
here for makeup, shade, tea, and more.
For this season, on behalf of Drag Race, our condolences.
Hi Ugly!
It’s me, Bussy!
And welcome back to HOT or ROT... before you ask… the answer is yes.
It did hurt when I fell from H[____].
Sorry about that.
Breaking News: The reviews are in.
And According to IMDB, Drag Race Down Under is officially one of the worst user rated
seasons of Rupaul’s Drag Race EVER.
Drag Race Down Under is currently sitting at an average episodic rating of 5.975 out
of 10 stars.
on IMDB.
It’s loses only to Drag Race Holland, who’s average average Episodic rating is .037 points
lower.
For comparison’s sake, Season 13’s rating calculated the same way
is 6.631, Canada’s is 7.330,
All Stars 5’s is 7.663 Season 12’s is 7.836,
UK Season 2’s is 8.210, and Drag Race Espana is currently the highest
season of drag race to premiere in the past two years with an average episodic rating
of 8.425.
But that begs the question; why is Drag Race Down Under sitting at the bottom of the barrel?
What the H[___] happened?
Today we’ll be digging up the lifeless body of Drag Race Down “6 Feet” Under and performing
a little Autopsy to determine its “cause of flop”.
And make sure to Buckle up - cause we’ll be taking a look back at some of the season’s
biggest missteps, doing some cross-season comparisons, and then finally, we’ll complete
my ‘hot or rot’ for this series by taking a look at the finale where Dr. Phil, I mean
Rupaul, crowns a winner.
Drag Race “Australia” was first announced in August of 2019 by PinkNews, slating Rupaul
and Michelle visage as judges.
And then on May 1, 2021, and SEVEN seasons of Drag Race later, Drag Race Down Under premiered.
I dont think anyone could have expected what we ultimately got out of the season… but
at least it was full of surprises.
I got my first inclination that something might be a little bit off concerning this
season when the cast announcement went out on Twitter on March 6.
That video featured Michelle Visage and the new third permanent judge, Rhys Nicholson,
announcing the cast members from what appeared to be the judging panel.
The shots of them yelling the contestants names in front of what was very obviously
an empty stage were spliced together with the actual workroom entrances of each queen.
And the disjointedness of that was weird enough for me, but then the workroom absolutely sent
me.
From the little cupid statues, to the really small lights or just the small little “WERK”
neon sign: It just seemed really haphazard.
Stranger yet, there were no official promo looks to compliment this cast announcement.
Holland, Canada, UK, Espana, and of course the US all have their own official social
media channels.
But why not Down Under?
Everything just felt…
Rushed.
To put it nicely.
Rumor has it, though, that all of this was due to the pandemic - filming has been pushed
back from its original 2020 dates all the way into January of 2021 in Auckland, New
Zealand.
Which means, assuming they completed filming sometime in, I don’t know - mid february
- that means the editors and producers only had like 10 weeks to turn this around for
the premiere.
Which is a wild turnaround time for reality television.
For example, typical drag race US seasons film in the summer of the year prior to their
air dates.
So “Rushed”, yeah, it was.
Drag Race Down Under?
More like Drag Race “Rusha”.
However, all things considered, I was happy to overlook some pandemic-related production
issues; at least we were still getting a new season of Drag Race.
But Little did we know… the small cracks in Drag Race Down Under’s Facade would soon
open wide enough for a fist to enter - and re-enter.
*Dun dun dun*
So now let’s get into what went wrong.
The premiere rolls around and we see our queens walk into the workroom.
Again.
10 fresh queens out of ... thousands i’m sure? that applied, right?
Wrong.
Turns out, Courtney Act actually spilled some tea related to the Drag Race Down Under casting
process on her podcast, “Brenda Call Me”.
So, the casting process, they didn’t put out a call for people to submit auditions
to drag race which they normally do.
So instead one of the casting producers just sent messages; but the thing is it wasn’t
from an official account.
She had an instagram account that exclusivey had photos of one of those hairless sphinx
cats.
So, all these drag queens around australia and New Zealand are getting messages from
their DMs in the other folder of their instagram accounts from - seemingly - im sure very lovely
- but seemingly crazy cat lady saying ‘could you uh send me an email i have an important
opportunity’ - i’m like oh honey.
I’ve had important opportunities
Which is… just...wild.
Maybe a little bit of an omen for the production issues we would have later?
And maybe due to the pandemic they didn’t have time to run a formal auditions process,
She done already had herses.
Prance on over to RDRcasting.com.
But personally, this smells more like riggory to me.
How can this competition be “fair” if its invitation only?
Anyways - our premiere is overall well received.
Users on IMDB rated it an average of 7.1 out of 10 stars; which is pretty good.
This is at least higher than season 13 and holland’s premiere which had both been in
the past year.
Concerning the next couple of episodes, we see a confusing series of decisions made by
the judges which ultimately lead to the downfall of the season.
Dipping from averages of 6.5 to 6.3 and then to 4.9 in episodes 2, 3, and 4 respectively.
I already discussed everything that went wrong in the snatch game in my episodic review of
hot or rot, which I encourage you to go back and watch - but the short of it is that it
was just not aired fairly.
Some snatch game performances were hidden and ignored like Karen’s and others were
overly emphasized for being had, for example Coco and Arts.
Another issue in the snatch game was Etcetera’s performance which made fun of Lindy Chamberlain…
I would say this was like fifty fifty positive and super negative, depending on who you talked
to.
While Etcetera’s choice of character for snatch game wasn’t necessarily the fault
of production, they could have maybe anticipated the blowback from that and maybe asked her
to do a different character.
At least Anita was a saving grace in this snatch game, though.
For context, the only snatch game to score lower among IMDB user ratings was Drag Race
Holland’s, with a score of 4.1… but we don’t need to get into that today.
We also found out after the finale aired that there were some crazy production related shenanigans
going on this episode other than what happened in snatch game.
In a now deleted tweet, Art said:
“Now that it’s over, am I allowed to talk about how they lost hte footage and we had
to come back days later to film my elimination and then [coco jumbo] and I had to do that
lipsynch 3 times in a row?”
We knew based off those invitations they were sending out to hand-selected queens they were
a little unprofessional, but that is unheard of.
It would such to have to re-film your elimination three times, much less to have to come back
and do it later...
But At least she got a meme-able moment out of it.
Overall I would say most of what happened in the first two episodes was..
Fine.
it was fine.
I was happily but cautiously tuning into episode 3.
Unfortunately that’s where we see Coco Jumbo, our last person of color in the competition,
eliminated.
And while you can argue there whether it was her time to leave the competition or not,
this is what sets up the incredible amount of fan backlash we saw leading into and coming
from episode 4.
Rupaul makes the decision to bring back Art Simone.
Not Jojo, Coco, and Art simone but just Art Simone.
And before we talk more about it - this was in no way Art’s fault or her decision so
please don’t bother her about this.
I dont think there has been this much backlash to a queen returning to the competition…
ever?
Like, usually it’s ceremonious.
We as viewers are excited to see what this early eliminated queen has to offer.
And the reason for queens returning to the competition is not always given.
Carmen Carrera, Kenya Michales, and Naysha Lopez were all brought back during their original
seasons with no other reasons given to the audience with no other reason than Ru or the
panel of judges wanting them back.
Sometimes, though, returning queens have a little more justification: Trixie Mattel returns
to season 7 after winning the makeover competition with Pearl and Joe Black in UK Series 2 was
voted back in by his peers.
So, why the problem?
Why the uproar?
The remaining members of the competition were all white, at that point.
So while her return needed no justification in the context of Rupaul’s Drag Race, it
did feel like it was lacking in social awareness.
And as Coco put on twitter, it felt like they were just “giving the white girl a chance”
for no reason
And then the icing on the cake for this episode was sending home snatch game winner and fan
favorite Anita Wiglet - who probably shouldn’t have been in the bottom anyways).
And the person that sent her home, Karen From Finance, was wearing a look that was deserving
immediate elimination.
There was just nothing redeeming about it.
That was the moment I realzied - oh - they’re going to push Karen through to the end of
this competition no matter what happens.
Now… get ready for the big one: Episode 5 which is just made worse and compounded
by what just happened in episode 4.
[Episode 5 - The Backface Situation in the middle of reconciliation week]
In this episode, we see Ru go for, what I think she thought would be her emmy winning
moment.
She calls out Scarlet’s past cultural appropriation and black face in performances.
And then forgives her.
And, look.
I do think that RU tried to do the right thing here.
But the optics of already having sent home both people of color from the competition
and then snubbing them from returning to the show in favor of a white contestant, and THEN
having this conversation, and THEN also sending home the contestant who was most outspoken
against Scarlet in the work room earlier that episode were….
Not good.
Most importantly though: I think the show missed a huge opportunity to build bridges
between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the non-indigenous populations
of these regions.
Like, Especially since this episode aired during reconciliation week?
Come on…
This episode by the way, has an average rating of 5.2 stars.
Anyways, episode six comes along: it’s the makeover challenge.
I didn’t even review this episode and I don’t even know if anybody even noticed
because I think so many people stopped watching.
Turns out it was really cute and Kita Mean got a much deserved win in the competition.
And it was the seasons’ second highest user-reviewed episode with 7.2 stars.
But drumroll please….
Only Drag Race Down Under could mess this up this bad.
It all comes crashing down in the seventh episode: The Talent Show.
This episode is tied for the worst episode in Rupaul’s Drag Race history - EVER.
Of all the seasons.
Twenty-six of them!
The episode it’s tied with, by the way, is the All Stars Season 4 finale - turns out
fans did not like that double crowning.
It just felt like a wild fever dream of an episode.
As a reminder, Karen’s balloon animal that gets a, “that’s it?” from Michelle,
and Elektra’s performance got a “oh this was so good it should be in a Sia music video”
and then they ended up putting Elektra in the bottom and sending her home in a lip sync
against Kita Mean who also shouldn’t have been in the bottom.
Basically i think the only purpose of the episode was to just show us that this season
has indeed been rigged from the start.
And now we get to the present day.
The finale.
I was honestly watching this one a little bit begrudgingly; I was like ‘GURL after
that talent show?
I dont even care anymore.’
But I’m glad I did.
As a reminder, In our final four is Art with zero wins, Karen with one win from episode
1, Kita with one win from the makeover challenge, and Scarlet with 3 wins.
Being from the talent show, design challenge, and queens down under performance challenge.
Our queens had to write lyrics for and perform original choreography for a remix to “I’m
a Winner, Baby” and then walk on theh runway in their Best Drag.
First up, with the voice of an angel: Kita Mean!
I will say, it was really nice to see her do a serious take on this song.
I think in any other season this may have been ignored or pushed aside but I Think it
was really important to her journey to self love that we found out about during the lunch
and also in the little section where she’s talking to herself as a child.
Somehow, I went from “I’m still not really sure who this person is but I like them to
oh my god I love them and they have a beautiful soul in 55 minutes.”
THis performance was HOT.
As for her runway: I wonder if it hurt when she fell ...from the k-hole?
Obviously this was beautiful i love her taking a chance on the mechanical angel wings.
ANd i was kinda wondering if this maybe was an homage to Courtney Act’s original angel
wings from her season?
I think this look was perfectly paired to her performance and everything else I mentioned
previously.
Love, light..
And happiness.
This look was white hot!
As for Karen From Finance … she may be breaking glass ceilings in the office, but I’m reporting
this outfit to “HR”.
I can deal with the Elvis part of it, but I don’t like the “K” on the belt.
It reminds me of that Spongebob episode where Patrick is like flipping the “M” around
to “Wumbo”.
ANd my other issue with her actual lyrics is: i feel like Rupaul was kind of asking
Karen “are you ever gonna step outside of your Kraen From Finance” box and she was
kinda like “maybe yes, maybe no” and then her lyrics were kinda related to being in
the office regardless of it all.
I think I just have to give this a ROT.
And On the runway…
Chugga Chugga Choo Choo Alakazam?
This outfit is perfect for when you have that kid’s magic show gig booked at the local
at three and then you also have to have that report on your boss’ desk by ive.
I struggled with this look too because it is quintessentially Karen, and it does look
well made.
So like, for only Karen, I do like this for her.
I’m gonna give it a HOT.
But I also hate it.
I think it’s gonna be another ROT.
Overall I wanted to learn who more about who Karen From Finance actually was - like in
her off hours.
Away from the office.
Like girl, what do you do on the weekends?
Tell us!
And as for ART… her performance and outfit for the main challenge were spunky, funky,
funny, just…
I think a really great representation of Art growing up a little bit in this competition.
It felt like she was finally having fun, if just a little bit too late.
But this performance was definitely hot.
And On the runway: Oh my god!
She killed the aquamarine teen dream.
She kinda looks like one of those little barbie dolls you pull the rip-cord on and she spins
around… have y’all seen that thing were it like flies into the fireplace?
I have no complaints.
It’s gorgeous, perfect, beautiful.
Hot.
Overall I can tell there is a queen not just of Down Under but of the entire universe in
Art, and it may take a couple of years for her to come to full fruition but I wanna be
there when it happens.
Concerning Scarlet… her lyrics were cocky, fun, funny.
Exactly what you’d expect from a queen like this.
And her solo choreography was I think .. undoubtedly the best.
She’s an excellent dancer, which she already proved on the pole.
Definitely hot.
For her final runway, I do admit I was a little underwhelmed but only because of we had already
seen from her in the previous episode.
It’s just hard to top something like that.
So, I think if she were ever to compete on drag race again she’ll need to be really
conscious of, you know, playing her “trump card” until the very very end.
That said, I think it’s excellent to know she has toned-glamour in her wheel house.
I think this look was HOT.
I thought about what I would say about Scarlet in closing and honestly its hard to find words
to discuss somebody so controversial.
Speaking from the perspective of talent, she had everything she needed to win.
And she proved it.
She went into the finale with three wins.
Yet, ultimately she had no chance of winning.
Giving SCarlet the crown would have just been, I think the cherry on top of a season full
of bad optics.
I don’t think it would have been good for the franchise or for her.
Generally speaking, it’s a shame how this season mishandled really serious topics that
deserved more care.
Concerning scarlet and those topics, I think she should cound herself lucky to have been
able to share her story on an international platform.
Better yet, she was also able to share with the world her talent in drag.
Now, it’s up to her I think to be able to prove her commitment to being a better person
and changing not only her life but those around her and uplifting and helping those communities
that are disenfranchised and marginalized in her community.
And finally let’s briefly talk about that lip-sync to Olivia Newton John’s “Physical”.
I have to say, I think this lip-sync for the crown was one of the best of all time.
Seriously - everyone was so much fun.
Kita Mean in particular, and I think the obvious winner of the four for the lip-sync.
So, Kita Mean is given the crown rightly so.
I think she really was the only one that could have rightfully won this crown and represented
the franchise the best.
Turns out, a bit of Ketamine was exactly what we needed after such a traumatizing season.
My hottest hot for the best Drag runway goes to Art Simone.
I also asked my patrons who their hottest hot was, and this week they’ve chosen Keta
Mean.
As for my final thoughts I think Drag Race Down Under season 1 is an excellent example
of what not to do in future international seasons.
But at least they won’t forget how it was received and hopefully they can use it - uh
- to learn how to make the next season, if it gets renewed.
I think a lot of culprits contributed to this disaster of a season.
It wasn’t just bad judging and I think the lack of time that they had to actually produce
this season just made all of that even worse.
I do wanna remind you that the production of this season was not the queens’ fault
- so please continue to support them and don’t hold them accountable for something that was
outside of their control.
And finally, long live keta mean!
I also wanna say thank YOU for tuning in to today’s video and give a special thanks
to my generous patrons who make my channel possible.
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I also wanna give a special shoutout to...
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