Reading Drag Race

It's the most important of all the Drag Race holidays: SNATCH GAME! They decided to stick with Snatch Game of Love for the All Stars season, and we are happy to report that it went much, much better this time around! After trying for a love connection, the girls dance down the runway serving prom queen fantasies, or at least some of them do. Hersula and Conde Nasty welcome returning guest Valkyrie for her unique and insightful brand of judgmental critique. And though it's not Pride Month anymore, the work continues and still needs your help. Brave Space Alliance (https://www.bravespacealliance.org/) is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ Center located on the South Side of Chicago. They were the leaders of the protests that took place in lieu of the parade in Chicago last week, and they still deserve your time, your attention, and, if possible, your money.    

Last week's improv challenge was a such a smashing success, they apparently couldn't wait to do another one! This time, our dolls have to perform as scandal-plagued celebrities hounded by the paparazzi. Then the gurls stomp the runway, literally, in some camouflage-inspired couture. Watch Conde Nasty, Hersula, and special guest That Gurl be extra-judgmental bitches this week, because the quarantine is clearly getting to us all! It's also the weekend of what would have been the Pride Parade, and the world is rightfully spending it focusing on the injustice that continues to be faced by Black and queer communities, and we want to use this space to help highlight and amplify the people doing the work to make the world a better place. Brave Space Alliance (https://www.bravespacealliance.org/) is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ Center located on the South Side of Chicago. They were the leaders of the protests that took place in lieu of the parade in Chicago this weekend, and you should give them your time, yo

The quarantine is clearly getting to the girls because Conde Nasty, Hersula, and bestie Buffy Cummers are all over the place this week. But what they lack in focus, they more than make up for by being enthusiastic and right. Join them as they break down all the queens runway looks, break down exactly which acts of public sex the CDC says are socially responsible, and just generally break down.

Conde Nasty and Hersula, with socially-distanced friend Dandelion, are back for another episode of "Just Give Shea the Fucking Crown Already"...I mean "All Stars Season 5." At the top of this week's show, we are resharing the audio of Shea Coulee at a protest in Boystown this weekend. It's an important message and everyone should listen to it. The last three weeks have seen some progress that would have felt impossible three weeks ago, but the fight is by no means over. The people and organizations doing that work still need your time, your support, and your money. https://www.blacklivesmatterchicago.com/

As one season ends, another begins. It's still early, but I don't think I'm exaggerating when I suggest that this crop of queens has a good chance of rivaling All Stars 2. Before we dive into the episode, Conde Nasty and Hersula, along with returning bestie Oblivia, take a moment to talk about the difficult but important time we are all living through. 

In light of the ongoing protests in response to police violence against black people, and in light of it being the beginning of Pride Month, a commemoration of another riot against police brutality, instead of my usual pun-filled episode description, I'm using this space to share two things. First is a list of links to just a few of the resources that need our help right now. A lot of these are local to Chicago since that is where we are and could get the most info, but leave links to other organizations in the comments. Black Lives Matter Chicago - https://www.blacklivesmatterchicago.com/ George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd Chicago Community Bond Fund - https://chicagobond.org/ Campaign Zero - https://www.joincampaignzero.org/ Ujimaa Medics - https://umedics.org/ The second thing I am sharing is a link of a parade of cars driving by the home of this season's winner to celebrate her win. It's beautiful and joyous to watch, and it's important to remember that taking your happines

Conde Nasty and Hersula are visited by the ghosts of Drag Race Past (complete with Crystal Methyd serving Ebeneezer Scrooge realness) in a charming reunion episode. Then we buckle up for a deep dive into HBO docuseries "We're Here" and even Hersula's shriveled, black heart is forced to experience a genuine emotion.

It's time to narrow our final four to a final three, and to do so, the girls will stage a Las Vegas show before coming down the main stage one last time in their eleganza extravaganza. It's a tight race and these talented bunch of queens will not make it easy on the judges. Just remember that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas (because no one can leave their houses yet.)

After last week's double shantay, the race remains locked at six queens (well...five queens and one formless void the editors keep having to cut around). To help separate the tops from the bottoms, Ru turns to perennial favorite: PUPPETS! Then the dolls have to perform in a one-drag queen show and serve purple eleganza on the runway, aided by none other than WHOOPI FUCKING GOLDBERG! I'm sorry, I normally try to avoid all caps on the internet, but I think you have to agree, in this case it's entirely justified. Join Conde Nasty and Hersula with recurring BFF Valkyrie for another round of strong opinions and stronger cocktails!

Conde Nasty and Hersula are back with another episode as the field narrows and the race tightens. It's perennial classic, the makeover over challenge. The queens are tasked with making over a group of six very happy female Drag Race superfans. Remembering to carve out time for a quick therapy session where they help their partners get their grooves back, the girls have to get ready to walk the runway while showing off their family resemblance. And as an aside that will make sense once you've watched the episode, if anyone knows the number for the Sesame Street PD, please leave it in a comment. We need to report a robbery.

It's election season again (isn't it always now?) and that means it's time to put the dolls through a presidential debate and time to send Conde Nasty and Hersula's blood pressure through the roof because we realize we are already living in a bizarre parody of American politics. Later, the girls parade down the runway in their best patriotic lewks, and guests judges Rachel Bloom and Jeff Goldblum delight and arouse, respectively.

We may not be able to leave our homes, but that doesn't mean the dolls are safe from us and our opinions. Conde Nasty and Hersula are joined by not one, but two guests in besties Valkyrie and Buffy Cummers. Four queens and at least that many bottles of wine are on hand to break down another episode and give us all something to do to hold madness at bay for another day. This week, the queens have to market a product as part of their Goop-inspired lifestyle brand, and walk down the aisle in a Black Wedding-themed runway before Ru decides which queen will have a conscious uncoupling from the competition.

The girls are here to honor the one, the only, the legend Madonna. In her honor, we are all doing the podcast in British accents. (Just kidding!) Conde Nasty and Hersula and joined by longtime friend, first time guest Cora Tine through the magic of a Google Hangout to watch the latest Unauthorized Rusical. And we'll say this: These dolls learned their lesson. There was not a single kimono in sight.

The snow glows white on the runway tonight, not a heel print to be seen. It's a kingdom of isolation, and it looks like we're the queens. Conde Nasty, Hersula, That Gurl, and Buffy Cummers are here to Let It Go and Let You Have It because it's Snatch Game!!! Witness the highs...the lows..the Vanjie. Later the queens skate across the runway in a (shamelessly branded cross-promotion brought to you by the overlords at the Disney Corporation) Frozen-themed challenge.

Season 12 has the worst luck. First Sherry Pie's...well...all of that. And now, the show has the most hilariously ill-timed challenge in the form of an acting challenge set in a hospital. After disinfecting themselves, the ladies swan across the runway in their best caped costumes. Conde Nasty and Hersula are joined by bestie Oblivia to discuss the episode, the season, and whatever else they want. 

It's another bonus episode to give you more content to enjoy from wherever you are riding out whatever else 2020 has to throw at us. Conde Nasty and Hersula sat down to knock out a couple of shows in their Netflix cues, and have a gay old time talking about The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and AJ and the Queen. We recorded this back in the middle of February, so the biggest problem we were facing was the neverending Democratic primary. (What? Editing takes time and we all have day jobs.) Netlfix had not announced it was not renewing AJ and the Queen yet. It was a more innocent time for us all. 

Nothing can keep Hersula and Conde Nasty down. Not the impending end of civilization and not having to assess 36 entire looks this week. With BFF and recurring guest judge Buffy Cummers, they assess the highs and the lows, the tops and the bottoms. Like the princesses they are, these bitches are going to the ball!

We're all stuck at home, but the queens are all stuck trying to improv their way through one of the weakest improv challenges seen in a mini-challenge, and that's saying something. Conde Nasty and Hersula are joined by bestie That Gurl Down the Street to talk about the season to date and whatever the hell else they want.

Six more girls sashay into the work room to be put through their paces in a Spring/Fall Runway and a girl group number before stomping the main stage in their tulle inspired looks. Conde Nasty and Hersula are rejoined by their squirrelfriend Valkyrie to finish out the season premier, including dealing with finding out one of the queens really meant it when she said "You don't know me."

It's back, and it was actually gone long enough this time for us to miss it! And, gurl, it was good! Half the queen stomp into the work room to make their mark on a new season. Join Conde Nasty, Hersula and special guest Valkyrie as they scrutinize the looks, decide who is the prettiest boy out of drag, and help Hersula learn that fashion queens are people, too.