Through the first six weeks of competition on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, only 3 queens had been eliminated, thanks in part to the season’s twist, the Badonka Dunk Tank. Now that the twist is over, it’s every queen for themselves. There’s no second chances. Every hem is examined. Every joke is analyzed. There’s no place to hide. With 11 queens remaining, it was time for a jam-packed edition of Snatch Game. It’s a staple on Drag Race. To say that it was subpar at best is kind. Whether they were fighting for screen time or the nerves got the best of them, the stakes were high, but the execution was lacking.
Some of the character choices were, as Tatianna famously said, “choices.” Even with a standout or two in the bunch, it was the weak performances that had us talking. Lana Ja’Rae’s Rosa Parks was a travesty. Crystal Envy’s Nicole Richie was bland. So, when it was revealed that Lana Ja’Rae would be in the bottom for the second time against Crystal Envy, a queen who’s consistently had a high track record, the room was gagged. Even more so when RuPaul sent home Crystal. Up until this point, Crystal’s time on Drag Race was extraordinary. Certainly, there is an argument that her track record could have saved her, but her poor performance was reprimanded. Like a castaway needing to learn how to make fire on Survivor, there are certain skills a drag queen must possess should they enter the Werk Room. Celebrity Impersonation for Snatch Game should be high on the list. At this point in time, there are absolutely no more excuses.
Season 17’s ‘RPDR’ Snatch Game Shocked For All the Wrong Reasons
The level of talent on Season 17 is extraordinary. It’s truly been splitting hairs when it comes to determining each week’s placements. For Crystal Envy, up until Snatch Game, she never placed lower than safe. She earned a Top 2 placement for her talent show. She was in the top two other times thanks to her design challenge prowess. But she was always the bridesmaid and never the bride. It was almost as if RuPaul was ready to see the pageant queen’s face crack. The problem was, even despite her strong track record, her inability to perform in Snatch Game as Nicole Richie made her one of the worst of the week. There was no way around it. With a desire to foster well-rounded artists into the wild after Drag Race. It’s not as if Crystal was just a look queen and not a strong performer. Her performance in “Bitch, I’m a Drag Queen” was well received. But her bombing of Snatch Game might be Ru’s opportunity to make an example out of unprepared queens. It’s a shame to lose Crystal Envy this season. She is an extraordinary queen. But it’s clear she didn’t do her homework, and RuPaul gave her a zero.
But was Crystal the worst of the bunch? Objectively, no. Lana’s abomination of Rosa Parks will easily go down in history for all the wrong reasons. But, aside from the lip sync, perhaps Lana was saved because her Snatch Game pick was bolder than Crystals. Perhaps the risk was rewarded despite the abysmal performance. Or maybe Lana just had more to give to the remainder of the season, while Crystal wouldn’t provide any further surprises. It’s a stretch, but we’re just trying to understand why this is one of the most shocking eliminations in recent memory. Nevertheless, this elimination is a warning to future contestants that every single thing you do on Drag Race can and will be scrutinized. It’s no longer OK to just prepare a strong runway package. You must be the full package.
There Are No More Excuses Around Snatch Game
17 seasons in, with countless international iterations, Snatch Game is going to be a challenge each season. Not arriving having done your homework is a slap in the face for the long-running program. Queens must not only know the ins and outs of their character, they must select someone who can banter. There has to be a personality that’s infectious. The character must be someone Ru wants to keep hearing from. That doesn’t mean tossing in catchphrases every chance they get; they need to build upon the basis of their celebrity into something that transcends.
To be a successful drag queen in the real world is different from being a successful Drag Race contestant. At this point in time, its imperative queens take a sewing class and an improv class. They should workshop their Snatch Game characters with a team of funny people. Looking good doesn’t cut it anymore. You must be well-rounded and versatile. Snatch Game is a challenge rooted in the art of celebrity impersonation. It’s rooted in drag. There was a time before Drag Race when celebrity impersonations were what you’d see if you went to a drag show. Just look at the celebrity tribute shows in Vegas. That’s where the inspiration for Snatch Game originated. Queens, whether they’re coming on for the first time or returning for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, contestants must tap into the past. Examine why individuals like Jinkx Monsoon, Jimbo, and BenDeLaCreme are atop the Mount Rushmore of the challenge. And then, figure out why individuals like Kenya Michaels, Gia Gunn, and Alyssa Edwards are among the bottom feeders. Queens, do your homework! You can crack the code.