TV

Why RuPaul's Drag Race is the Best Reality Show on TV

I've spent the greater half of my life watching bad reality television. Through dating shows like Flavor of Love, Rock of Love, and Daisy of Love, to game shows like Survivor, Real World/Road Rules Challenge to I Love Money, to singing competitions like American Idol and The Voice, and even quirky fashion shows like Face Off and Project Runway. While each of those shows is interesting in their own unique way, there's only one show on TV that provides all of the fun and drama of these shows in one cohesive, and fabulous package: RuPaul's Drag Race. 

Through the years this series has become one of my most anticipated each year. Drama, humor, style, singing, dancing, quirk, and it's all very pleasing to the eye. Say yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas, Queen.

Though RuPaul's Drag Race has flourished on Logo (a network notably featuring positive queer media), it deserves a much bigger audience than it has. It's found a cult following on the channel (that still can't be found in HD, sadly) running eight seasons and has no signs of stopping for good reason. I mean, even with a semi lackluster current season, its weirdness has transcended all entertainment into pure artistry. For example, just this past week, the five remaining queens had to establish two looks based on Hello Kitty all in the name of brand recognition. The lesson the queens needed to learn was how to further establish their Drag brand while still maintaining good relationships with other properties. So the queens had to both design a "Hello Kitty Eleganza" runway look along with a brand new Hello Kitty character. Awesomely enough, this wasn't even the weirdest challenge the contestants had to face this season (that has to go to a dance number while dressed as a half man/half woman). Every challenge is all according to RuPaul's wavering whim. Whatever the Queen says goes, and it makes for some fantastic TV.

Drag Race stands above all reality television because it's satirical of other reality shows, yet never once directs that lens at its contestants. While some of the humor and drama may be manufactured (this is reality TV, after all), it's never meant as derogatory. We're meant to laugh with the show than at it, and that's something the rest of these shows can learn something from. Drag Race is indeed a serious competition, with real stakes and pride on the line, but it's so much fun. Regardless of whether or not these Queens win or lose, every Queen seems legitimately thankful for the experience. There's just so much to learn for those of us on the sidelines as well. Over the years I've learned proper make up and costuming techniques, how to work a runway, and how to own the skin you're in. Even after all of these years, I still find new takeaways from each episode. And even if the show's message of confidence and power doesn't reach you, you'll at least learn some killer one liners.

As the latest season of RuPaul's Drag Race winds to a close, why not go ahead and hunt down and episode or two? Seasons 4-6 are on Hulu Plus, and you can currently find new episodes of the show Mondays on Logo at 9/8c. There's bound to be something you'll like as it's completely impossible to be disappointed by Drag Race. On a show where everything is cranked up to 11, and where lip sync battles are the most dramatic thing you see all year, your life will definitely change.

It's time you joined the cultural phenomenon.

by Nick Valdez