Gay's Anatomy

Last updated

"Gay's Anatomy"
RuPaul's Drag Race episode
RuPaul's Drag Race (season 12) - Gay's Anatomy.jpg
Gigi Goode and Nicky Doll deciding which acting roles they will choose for the remaining contestants in the Werk Room.
Episode no.Season 12
Episode 5
Directed byNick Murray
Presented by RuPaul
Featured music"Heart to Break"
by Kim Petras
Original air dateMarch 27, 2020 (2020-03-27)
Running time62 minutes
Guest appearance
Normani
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The Ball Ball"		Next →
"Snatch Game"
RuPaul's Drag Race season 12
List of episodes

"Gay's Anatomy" is the fifth episode of the twelfth season of the American reality competition television series RuPaul's Drag Race . The episode, directed by Nick Murray, 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 .

Contents

The episode asks the remaining contestants to 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.

Episode

191201 Normani at 93.3 FLZ Jingle Ball (2).png
Nicky Doll in 2022.jpg
In the episode "Gay's Anatomy", American singer and dancer Normani (left, pictured in 2019) is a guest judge and Nicky Doll (right, pictured in 2022) is eliminated from the competition.

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 to 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 American singer 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. After showcasing the parody film, Aiden Zhane, Gigi Goode, Jan, Jackie Cox, and Widow Von'Du receive positive critiques and are deemed safe. RuPaul declares Sherry Pie the winner of the main challenge, earning her a cash tip of $5,000. [a] The safe contestants leave the main stage to "untuck". Brita, Crystal Methyd, Heidi N Closet, Jaida Essence Hall, and Nicky Doll receive negative critiques. [7] RuPaul asks the contestants who should be eliminated from the competition and the majority respond Heidi N Closet or Nicky Doll. Later, the rest of the contestants leave the stage and the judges deliberate.

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 using lipstick for the remaining contestants. [8]

Production

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 against Joey Gugliemelli, also known as Sherry Pie, appears at the beginning of every episode; [10] with the cable network minimizing footage of them aside from winning challenges in episode 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 the episode. [6]

For the runway category, Aiden Zhane's outfit referenced The Silence of the Lambs (1991), and Gigi Goode showcased a look inspired by Troop Beverly Hills (1989). [12] Sherry Pie wore an Elvis Presley-inspired outfit. [13]

After its episode premiere, including the companion series, Brita issued an apology on X (formerly Twitter) for her actions towards Aiden Zhane, stating, "It is obviously not okay to bring one of my sisters down just because I was feeling a certain way". [14] Nicky 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]

Reception

Dylan B. Jones of The Guardian said the episode started with Gigi Goode crying due to the recent elimination and "drag queens crying will never not be good [television] ... second only to Julianne Moore crying". He described the acting challenge as "throwing things up in the air" and noted that Nicky Doll could be up for elimination (the article is written as a "live" blog). 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 rated the episode a B+ and said the parody draws on many "memorable installments" of Grey's Anatomy. Some contestants were "standouts but [there were] no lowlights". She also criticized the judging panel being "vague". [19] Jom Elauria of Screen Rant included the sketch parody in a list comprising the series 10 best acting challenges in 2022. [20]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The production company donated $5,000 to The Trevor Project, due to Sherry Pie's disqualification from the reality competition. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alyssa Edwards</span> American drag performer and choreographer

Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson, best known by the stage name Alyssa Edwards, is an American drag performer, choreographer, and businessperson. Edwards was known for competing in drag pageantry before rising to international attention as a contestant on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, becoming a fan favorite during and after her time on the show. Edwards subsequently appeared on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars and starred in her own web series, Alyssa's Secret. She won the first ever season of RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars, making her the first queen to be inducted into the "Newly Constructed International Pavilion At the Drag Race Hall of Fame".

<i>RuPauls Drag Race</i> season 12 Season of television series

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aiden Zhane</span> American drag performer

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gigi Goode</span> American drag performer

Gigi Goode is an American drag queen, fashion designer, 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 Illinois, Goode attended Millikin University and, as of 2020, lives in Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heidi N Closet</span> American drag queen

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jan Sport</span> American drag queen (born 1993)

Jan Sport, sometimes known simply as Jan, is the stage name of Charlie Mantione, an American drag queen and singer based in New York City, who came to international attention on the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. On May 26, 2021, she was announced as one of the 13 contestants on the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, where she placed 7th overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicky Doll</span> French drag queen

Karl 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 LGBTQ 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One-Queen Show</span> 11th episode of the 12th season of RuPauls Drag Race

"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!

<i>Drag Race France</i> French television series

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.

References

  1. ↑ Street, Mikelle (March 25, 2020). "Drag Race season 12 queens drag Aiden Zhane in new preview". Out . Pride Media. Archived from the original on March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  2. ↑ Swift, Andy (March 27, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race recap: Which queen's future is looking grey?". TV Line . Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  3. ↑ Anderson, Erik (March 27, 2020). "Television Rucap: RuPaul's Drag Race S12 E5 – "Gay's Anatomy"". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  4. ↑ Blanton, Kayla (March 27, 2020). "If you think Grey's Anatomy is dramatic, watch the Drag Race "Gay's Anatomy" spoof". Bustle . Bustle Digital Group. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  5. ↑ Kenneally, Cerys (February 13, 2020). "Robyn, Normani, Nicki Minaj, and more announced as guest judges for new season of RuPaul's Drag Race". The Line of Best Fit . Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Bray, Abbie (March 14, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race donates $5k to Trevor Project after Sherry Pie catfish allegations". Metro . DMG Media. Archived from the original on March 14, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  7. ↑ Guzzo, Bianca (March 28, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 12 episode 5 recap: "Gay's Anatomy"". In Magazine. Archived from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  8. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (March 30, 2020). "Never forget Nicky Doll, heartwarming hoe of RuPaul's Drag Race". Entertainment Weekly . Dotdash Meredith. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  9. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (March 30, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals and Network Finals: 3.27.2020". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  10. ↑ Abad-Santos, Alex (March 7, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Sherry Pie is disqualified after admitting to sexual misconduct". Vox . Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 7, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  11. ↑ Sheehan, Paul (April 11, 2020). "Sherry Pie edited out of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' episodes despite winning them". Gold Derby. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  12. ↑ Adelino, Saulo (March 29, 2020). "S12E05 – Runway – Planet Of The Capes". Draglicious (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  13. ↑ Windsor, Rachel (March 27, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 12: Disqualified for catfishing, Sherry Pie wins again and viewers are unhappy". Meaww. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  14. ↑ Damshenas, Sam (March 30, 2020). "Brita issues apology for this week's episode of Drag Race Untucked". Gay Times . Archived from the original on March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  15. ↑ Damshenas, Sam (March 31, 2020). "Nicky Doll makes bold statement about RuPaul's Drag Race season 12". Gay Times . Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  16. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (April 6, 2020). "See the RuPaul's Drag Race season 12 looks that didn't make it to the runway". Entertainment Weekly . Dotdash Meredith. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  17. ↑ Jones, Dylan B (March 30, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race recap: season 12, episode five". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  18. ↑ McCallion, Paul (March 27, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race recap: The girls are fighting!" . Vulture . Vox Media. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  19. ↑ Kulzick, Kate (March 27, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race celebrates the charms and excesses of "Gay's Anatomy"". The A.V. Club . G/O Media. Archived from the original on February 2, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  20. ↑ Elauria, Jom (June 26, 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race: Ten best acting maxi challenges". Screen Rant . Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2024.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.