"Gay's Anatomy" | |
---|---|
RuPaul's Drag Race episode | |
![]() Scene from the episode with Gigi Goode and Nicky Doll in charge of deciding what acting roles they choose for the remaining contestants in the Werk Room. | |
Episode no. | Season 12 Episode 5 |
Directed by | Nick Murray |
Presented by | RuPaul |
Original air date | March 27, 2020 |
Running time | 62 minutes |
Guest appearance | |
Normani | |
"Gay's Anatomy" is the fifth episode of the twelfth season of the American television series RuPaul's Drag Race , which first aired on March 27, 2020, through American cable network VH1. It was followed by an episode of the companion series RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked . The episode has the remaining contestants overact in a parody based on the medical drama series, Grey's Anatomy . Normani serves as a guest judge, alongside regular panelists RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Carson Kressley.
Sherry Pie wins the main challenge. Nicky Doll is eliminated from the competition after placing in the bottom two and losing a lip-sync contest against Heidi N Closet to "Heart to Break" (2018) by Kim Petras.
Following Rock M. Sakura's elimination, the remaining eleven contestants—Aiden Zhane, Brita, Crystal Methyd, Gigi Goode, Heidi N Closet, Jackie Cox, Jaida Essence Hall, Jan, Nicky Doll, Sherry Pie, and Widow Von'Du—re-enter the Werk Room and read the eliminated contestant's farewell message. [1] RuPaul announces the fifth challenge, which tasks contestants with overacting in a television parody. Two contestants who receive a pink tablet—Gigi Goode and Nicki Doll—are in charge of the casting roles. [2]
The acting challenge and character roles are a spoof of the American medical drama series Grey's Anatomy . Gigi Goode decides to take the role of Dr. Tizzy Stevens (Izzie Stevens) with Nicki Doll portraying Baby Dearest; Widow Von'Du is assigned with Mimi Dearest. [3] Jackie Cox and Jan are chosen to be Meredith Gay (Meredith Grey). Jaida Essence Hall, Brita, and Sherry Pie are given the roles of Rhonda Shimes (Shonda Rhimes), Dr. Sandra Okurrr (Sandra Oh), and Dr. Mother Gay, respectively. [4]
RuPaul introduces Normani as the guest judge, alongside regular panelist Michelle Visage and alternating judge Carson Kressley. [5] The runway category is "Planet of the Capes", which requires the contestants to present looks with capes. Later, the contestants leave the stage and the judges deliberate. Aiden Zhane, Gigi Goode, Jan, Jackie Cox, and Widow Von'Du receive positive critiques and are deemed safe. Brita, Crystal Methyd, Heidi N Closet, Jaida Essence Hall, and Nicky Doll receive negative critiques. [6]
RuPaul declares Sherry Pie as the winner of the main challenge, earning her a cash tip of $5,000. [lower-alpha 1] Heidi N Closet and Nicky Doll place in the bottom two and face off in a lip-sync contest to "Heart to Break" (2018) by Kim Petras. Nicki Doll is eliminated from the competition, and returns to the Werk Room to write a message on the mirror for the contestants using lipstick. [8]
The 63-minute episode was directed by Nick Murray, and originally aired on VH1 in the U.S. on March 27, 2020. The episode's premiere was seen by close to 630,000 viewers. [9] A disclaimer regarding the catfishing allegations of Joey Gugliemelli (also known as Sherry Pie) from VH1 appears in every episode; [10] VH1 also excluded footage of them aside from episodes three and five. [11] World of Wonder, the production company behind the reality competition, donated $5,000 to The Trevor Project due to the disqualified contestant winning. [7]
For the runway category, Aiden Zhane's outfit references The Silence of the Lambs (1991), with Gigi Goode showcasing a look inspired by Troop Beverly Hills (1989). [12] Sherry Pie wears an Elvis Presley-inspired outfit. [13]
After its episode premiere including the companion series, Brita issued an apology on Twitter for her actions towards Aiden Zhane, and expressed, "It is obviously not okay to bring one of my sisters down just because I was feeling a certain way". [14] Nicki Doll told Gay Times that she "needed to fight twice as hard to show my personality" and felt "like it was an All Stars season." [15] Previously eliminated contestants Dahlia Sin and Rock M. Sakura shared on social media what they would have worn for the runway had they still been in the competition. [16]
Dylan B. Jones of The Guardian said the episode started with Gigi Goode crying due to the recent elimination and "will never not be good [television]" and will not surpass Julianne Moore crying. The acting challenge was described as "throwing things up in the air" and believes Nicky Doll is set to be eliminated. He also mentions the rivalry storyline involving Aiden Zhane is too "predictable" and will "start to run thin pretty quick." [17] In a four out of five review, Paul McCallion of Vulture said the acting challenge "cements itself as one of the better installments" such as "Breastworld". McCalliion praised Brita and said he "can attest to the star quality she exudes on stage." [18] Kate Kulzick of The A.V. Club gave the episode a rating of B+ and said the parody draws many "memorable installments" of Grey's Anatomy. Some contestants were "standouts but no lowlights" and criticized the judging panel being "vague". [19] Jom Elauria of Screen Rant included the sketch parody in a list comprising the series ten best-acting challenges in 2022. [20]
The twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race premiered on February 28 and concluded on May 29, 2020. The competition was broadcast on VH1 in the United States and saw 13 new queens competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar". VH1 renewed both RuPaul's Drag Race and its spin-off RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars for a twelfth and fifth season respectively on August 19, 2019. At the time of the renewal the Drag Race franchise had earned VH1 a total of 14 Emmy nominations. Casting calls were opened in January 2019 while the cast was revealed by season 11 winner Yvie Oddly on January 23, 2020.
Brita Filter, the stage name of Jesse Carl Havea, is an American drag queen who has appeared on Shade: Queens of NYC and the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, ultimately placing 9th.
RuPaul's Drag Race Live! is a concert residency in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring past competitors from the TV series of the same name its franchise. The residency show features a variety of original music, lip-syncs, comedy, and dance numbers directed by RuPaul and choreographed by Jamal Sims. The performances are held every weeknight at Flamingo Showroom and produced by World of Wonder and Voss Events.
Aiden Zhane is the stage name of Devin LaMar Lewis, an American drag performer most known for competing on the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Gigi Goode is an American drag queen and reality television personality known for being a runner-up on the twelfth season of the drag competition series RuPaul's Drag Race. Following her appearance on Drag Race, Goode was cast in the Drive 'N Drag concert series, appeared in multiple music videos, and participated in a Savage X Fenty fashion show. In 2020, she received a People's Choice Award in the Competition Contestant category. Originally from Woodstock, Illinois, Goode attended Millikin University and, as of 2020, lives in Los Angeles.
Heidi N Closet is the stage name of Trevien Anthonie Cheek, an American drag queen from Ramseur, North Carolina, best known for competing on the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, where she placed 6th and won the Miss Congeniality award. She returned to the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, but decided to quit the competition early, citing her mental health and wellbeing as the reason for her withdrawal.
Jared Johnson, best known by the stage name Jaida Essence Hall, is an American drag queen and reality television personality best known for winning the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, and later returning to compete on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, an all-winners season. Since her season aired in 2020, Hall has been a staple of several domestic and international tours that feature Drag Race contestants, including Werq the World, A Drag Queen Christmas, and Drive 'N Drag. In October 2020, Johnson was a featured performer in Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Fashion Show Vol. 2.
Karlize Zaitane Sanchez, known by the stage name Nicky Doll, is a French drag queen, television personality, and musician based in New York City. He is best known as the main host of Drag Race France and a competitor on the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Joseph "Joey" Gugliemelli, best known by the stage name Sherry Pie, is an American drag performer most known for being disqualified from the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.
"I'm That Bitch" is the first episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on February 28, 2020. Nicki Minaj is a guest judge. Widow Von'Du wins the main challenge, and no one is eliminated from the competition.
"You Don't Know Me" is the second episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on March 6, 2020. Thandie Newton and Robyn are guest judges. Jaida Essence Hall wins the main challenge, and no one is eliminated from the competition.
"World's Worst" is the third episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on March 13, 2020. Olivia Munn is a guest judge. Sherry Pie wins the episode's main challenge, and Dahlia Sin is eliminated from the competition.
"The Ball Ball" is the fourth episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on March 20, 2020. Leslie Jones is a guest judge. Gigi Goode wins the mini-challenge and the main challenge, and Rock M. Sakura is eliminated from the competition after placing in the bottom two and losing a lip-sync against Brita to "S&M" (2011) by Rihanna.
Digital Drag Fest was a digital drag concert series hosted by Producer Entertainment Group. Beginning on March 27, 2020, it was originally supposed to be a limited engagement until April 12 but, due to overwhelming demand, the series was extended to May 30. The aim of the series is to allow drag and LGBT performers who have had shows cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic a chance to perform for their fans. 50 percent of the proceeds from the event's merchandise would be donated to GLAAD, and several performers from the event also pledged a portion of their ticket sales to the organization.
"Madonna: The Unauthorized Rusical" is the seventh episode of the twelfth season of the American reality competition television series RuPaul's Drag Race, which aired on VH1 on April 10, 2020. The episode has contestants perform a musical about Madonna for the main challenge. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Winnie Harlow serve as guest judges, alongside regular panelists RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Carson Kressley.
"Droop" is the eighth episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on April 17, 2020. Chaka Khan is a guest judge. Heidi N Closet wins the episode's main challenge, and Jan is eliminated from the competition after placing in the bottom two and losing a lip-sync against Widow Von'Du.
"Superfan Makeover" is the tenth episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on May 1, 2020. The episode's main challenge has contestants give makeovers to "superfans" of the show. Daisy Ridley is a guest judge. Jaida Essence Hall wins the challenge. Heidi N Closet and Jackie Cox in the bottom two and face off in a lip-sync, but neither is eliminated from the competition.
"One-Queen Show" is the eleventh episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on May 8, 2020. Whoopi Goldberg is a guest judge on the episode.
"Viva Drag Vegas" is the twelfth episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. The episode focuses on the Las Vegas show RuPaul's Drag Race Live!
Drag Race France is a French reality competition television show part of the Drag Race franchise. Based on the original American series RuPaul's Drag Race, it is the ninth international adaptation of the show. The show is hosted by Nicky Doll, who previously competed in the twelfth season of the original American version.