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RuPaul's Drag Race: Queens Rock
Recap and Commentary by RTVC Senior Staff Writer Jacob D.
March 16, 2010
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Previously on RuPaul's Drag Race, the queens all played the male and female roles in their own weddings. Taking photos, making their own gowns, and taking the stage, the queens were judged on their overall senses of style. RuPaul also gave the queens a chance to speak out on some behind the scenes shenanigans and Tatianna, Pandora, and Jujubee took this chance to speak out on Tyra's behavior/attitude. Despite this, Tyra's presentation won her her second challenge while Sahara Davenport and Morgan McMichaels were placed in the bottom two, both for their second time. When all was said and done, former frontrunner Morgan McMichaels was eliminated and Sahara was saved.
The remaining seven queens, including an emotional Raven who lost her best friend in the last elimination, are given a She-Mail from RuPaul that includes a lot of references to rock-and-roll songs from Joplin to Benatar to Stevie Nicks. RuPaul enters, looking more fab than rock, in black leather and rolls out a bunch of wigs for the queens' mini-challenge. This time around, the gals will be styling these wigs into their version of the baddest rocker hair they can imagine.
With 30 minutes for the challenge, the queens snatch and grab the wigs and rush to get started. Jujubee really wants to win a challenge because she has yet to do so, Raven is worried because she's not a good hairstylist, and Pandora wants to really go outside of the box.
Time is soon up and when Rupaul comes back to inspect the wigs, she starts with Tyra. Tyra presents a poofy, red-streaked mohawk inspired by Sasha Fierce. Dang, is it always about Beyonce with this chick? Raven has a frayed, poofy bob and RuPaul says it's a tad conservative. Tatianna's chick got trashed at a hotel party and Sahara uses an assymetrical bob with green streaks. Pandora's wig is a conceptual guitar-shaped piece and Jessica Wild uses 80s cartoon "Jem and the Rockstars" as her inspiration for a molded-to-one-side cascading green and orange do. Jujubee's wig is very goth, very "Corpse Bride" with a lot of blue makeup and dark touches.
In the end, RuPaul names Pandora the winner, but waits to reveal what she's won. For the main challenge, the queens are asked to transform themselves into rocker chicks, but the big twist is that the girls will be asked to sing live. That's right, no lip-syncing, just live singing. The song of choice will be a heavy metal version of Ru's own song, "Lady Boy." To help them prepare, they will be coached by Terri Nunn from the band Berlin, best known for their hit, "Take My Breath Away," from Top Gun. As the winner of the mini-challenge, Pandora will get an extra 10 minutes to work with Terri.
Most of the girls are really nervous except for Jessica and Jujubee. Jessica has sung before in a band and would like to be a drag singer whereas Jujubee feels she, Jujubee, has a good voice. Tyra is glad she has immunity and we flash back to Tyra's 'singing' from the last episode. Jujubee says she, Jujubee, is very confident that she won't mess up.
Ru checks in on the queens and Tyra tells her that she's modeling herself after Tina Turner, though she's only ever seen Tina perform with Beyonce. Gee, who'd have thought? Ru is sure there's a rocker chick living inside of Raven and though Raven admits she's not a very good singer, she's still excited about the challenge because it's more about stage presence. Jessica adds a bunch of chains to her outfit and feels her personality, energy, and attitude will help her.
Sahara says she sings, but she's never done rock-and-roll before. RuPaul reminds her that she's been in the bottom two twice and Sahara says she'll try to avoid doing that a third time by just letting go and getting past her nerves. She says her confidence has always been an issue because she's afraid of disappointing people. Me too, girl. Tatianna says she was in chorus during high school, but she didn't sing much because people made fun of her feminine voice. Ru says she has to find an inner voice that allows her to put those feelings to rest.
Pandora is working on a fiery outfit and Ru reminds her to really push it more, as she's been told for a while now. Ru reminds Jujubee that she hasn't won a challenge and Juju says she will try to overcome that. Ru leaves, but informs the girls that infamous rocker Henry Rollins will also be a guest judge, leading to shivers from Raven who has had a crush on him. I know a girl who seriously crushes on him too and you know what? I wouldn't mind me some of that either.
The girls then get their practice session with Terri and Jujubee is first. She sings and she's pretty good, but she isn't bringing enough of that rocker edge. Terri basically says as much and wants Juju to really connect with the message. Tyra just stands frozen behind the mic stand and barely brings any energy. Humorously, Terri wishes Raven were straight. Besides that, Raven's attitude and performance draws raves. Jessica's previous band experience shines through while Pandora makes a good attempt at stepping out of her good-girl, funny gal state. Sahara is still nervous about not being a rocker and tries too hard. Tatianna is still very quiet, possibly remembering her school days, and Terri wonders if Tatianna even wants to be here.
The next day, the queens head to judging panel where Henry joins Ru, Santino, Merle, and Terri on the judging panel. Yeah, like I said I wouldn't mind some of that. Anyways, instead of runway walks we of course get the live performances. Jessica goes first and she totally has the energy and charisma. Pandora looks edgier and more serious than she's ever been and draws bemused looks and applause from the judges. Sahara walks in, tying out that rocker wail and failing badly, and launches into a performance lacking any kind of edge.
Tatianna slinks her way through her performance, looking sexy and confident. Raven has a barely there outfit, but a totally there attitude while adding her own little witty touches. Tyra sounds and looks like a manly Beyonce wannabe and should consider herself lucky to have immunity. She thinks she did a great job. I beg to differ. Jujubee looks foxy and starts off ok, but quickly freezes and it's all downhill from there.
Now it's time for the judges critiques. Terri praises her up and down and Santino's only critique is the unnatural hair. Henry thinks her connection with the music was great. Ru is surprised that Jujubee froze and Santino could barely hear her. The judges are mostly disappointed. Pandora draws raves for her energy, though she fell out of character at times. Sahara tried to be too refined, which didn't fit the theme this week. Tatianna came out of her shell and was sexy, but Santino wants to see more elements to her look. Merle likes that Raven really used her attitude for good and Henry bought into it. The judges feel Tyra was more concerned about her look than her performance.
Now it's time for the judges to deliberate. Jessica showed great conviction while Pandora stood out with her uniqueness, showing a different side of herself. Sahara wasn't convincing as a rock star, Tatianna did something different, but still needs to step her game up, and Raven was a good kind of intense. Tyra is lucky to have immunity and her performance just didn't work. Jujubee let the judges down and just came off as bad karaoke.
The judges have made their decisions and it's time to deliver the news to the queens. Tyra had immunity so she's in. Jessica and Pandora ruled the stage, but only one girl can win and that is Jessica, though immunity is no longer awarded after challenges. Pandora, the 'Susan Lucci' of the competition according to RuPaul, is safe. Raven is on the rise so she is safe. The judges had high hopes for Jujubee, but she fell flat so she is in the bottom two. Tatianna is safe and this leaves Sahara in the bottom two once again.
As the bottom two, Sahara and Jujubee have a last chance lip sync battle to get to and the song for the week is Alannah Myles', "Black Velvet." Jujubee oozes sex appeal and raw style while Sahara goes more for the same graceful dancing we've seen her do all along. Overall, it seems obvious that Jujubee better captures the spirit of the song. In the end, RuPaul saves Jujubee and Sahara Davenport is the sixth queen eliminated.
Coming up on RuPaul's Drag Race:
The girls come up with their own autobiographies and prolific author Jackie Collins serves as a guest judge.
See ya there!
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Jacob D. is a twenty-something native of Austin Tx who spends his time
listening to music, posting on Austin based messageboards, playing
video games, and watching TV. Jacob also enjoys reading Shonen Jump,
Garfield and Calvin & Hobbes strips, playing Texas Hold 'em, drawing
cartoon chickens, and tending to his neopets. Though shy in real
life, he loves to sound off on his favorite shows and enjoys
interacting with other fans.
You can contact Jacob at Jacob@RealityTVCalendar.com
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