5 Challenges Drag Race Needs to Retire

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RuPaul's Drag Race has introduced a myriad of challenges throughout the years, but in recent seasons, has relied on the same 10-15. Some of them work every single time, but some of them have been getting stale, don't hold up, or simply just do not work.
In today's video, I'm going to break down 5 challenges I think Drag Race needs to either make major changes to, or retire altogether. I'll offer some solutions and potential ways to update these challenges, but some of them really just need to go.
Let me know in the comments below which challenges you want to see go and what challenges you'd like to see!
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[@jaehyuncoonce]

I’m calling it now season 16 will have the acting challenge called “Stranger Queens” or “Euwhorea” 💀💀💀💀

[@DragDetective]

EUWHOREA IDFHDJDBEH

[@vee.0742]

NOT EUWHOREA IM DONEEE

[@Whynotguy4444]

Stranger Th0ngs-

[@itsdannyhoney]

or Why it Gotta be white? lotus lmao

[@aaronlevesque8173]

Or Ruphoria 😭😭

[@VitorHugo-jx9fh]

Unpopular opinion: not everything in Drag Race has to be comedic. There could be more drama-oriented acting challenges, or improv challenges. Make us cry, make us angry, make us feel conforted, break our hearts and build them back together. So much is focused in making Ru laugh that it takes away from more serious performances

[@helioshawkk]

THIS THIS THIS I am tired of everything being a comedy (or rather make ru laugh) challenge. It’s getting really old

[@justme0910]

I'll be honest, at this point I'd settle for comedic challenges that don't push for that specific type of loud, over the top, brash, slightly absurd humor every queen is forced into on the show. There should be room for witty, dry, or more "cerebral" humor like what we've seen from queens like Sasha Velour, Willow Pill, Trixie Mattel and Maddy Morphosis.

[@angelacuebasmercado4036]

I think that would be a disaster. Respectfully. Out of every season MAYBE one could be an ok actor. They cannot handle serious roles.

[@wowwhatamoment8398]

This is what Bebe said too!!

[@Notmeshhh]

To piggyback on that.. It's about making RU laugh. And if Ru doesn't laugh then you're not funny but in reality you're just not Ru's kind of funny

[@lune78]

Yeah, the problem isn't acting challenges but the fact that they have bad writers. The super tease challenge on S14 was hilarious and really good because they let the queens write their own scripts.

[@itsdannyhoney]

which says a lot when queens who are not professional writers do a better job

[@Octobris]

Also, because overacting is so strongly encouraged. Only a handful of queens were able to jump over the hurdles overacting brings.

[@Struudeli]

​@@OctobrisThere's also more shades to overacting than many people see. It doesn't just mean to do everything bigger and louder, you have to know what things to concentrate on according to your character and a story. And that's a rare skill that needs some deeper understanding behind it to be successful. The judges/quests often don't really understand what it needs to work and just end up yelling for more and more and then get upset when it doesn't work and blame the queen.

[@taylorbarnhart9882]

i was born at a very young age.

[@zugarithanbreiks2304]

Snatch Game of Love. They just need to get rid of it! Queens are driven into the framework of love joys, so many of them cannot open up as they would in the original Snatch Game.

[@gilkot4633]

Also the winner is always one of the winners that the guest judges choose

[@ZarinaRae]

The next acting challenge is 100% going to be a reference to Barbie and Oppenheimer. They saw it become super popular and they are going to RUN with it.

[@VALENSlO]

Dragbie!

[@laincoubert7236]

wasn't WOW already done with filming S16 when barbieheimer became a huge thing?

[@ZarinaRae]

@@laincoubert7236 no you’re right but, maybe for season 17 or all stars.

[@marcelorodrigues3653]

probably not but nicetry

[@newish4547]

oppenheimHER

[@ZoraTheberge]

A common criticism of Drag Race is that it never lets queens show what they ~actually do~ in their club act and the talent show feels like a way to amend that. But it creates a problem because they don’t want to license any of the music the queens use so they all scramble and throw together these tracks. Just let each queen do a minute of their best song.

[@s0ftysenpai]

I would love to see a Bianca del Rio roast so I could watch the circus catch fire with Bianca reading them on their bombing 💀🤔

[@euanpetersen7751]

Oh my God yesssss

[@Kayden760]

Roasting previous legendary queens is probably the move

[@luckas221a]

There should be a Roast of Bianca, a Roast of Jinx… it would be amazing

[@bunjijumper5345]

The makeover episodes are always unfair, it's a way that production can decide who wins by withholding shoes, makeup, garments, etc and get rid of people. For that reason Id love to see makeover challenges ended too.

[@GoMulanGo]

Plus they can manipulate the criteria for judging however they want in order to justify whichever queens they want to be in the bottom or win.

[@salvatore2004]

S14 didnt have a makeover challenge and i only noticed last week. yes i agree

[@therevoltingslob2564]

It’s a shame because I love the concept of many of the makeovers but I definitely agree, it’s always a problem area as far as judging is concerned

[@bunjijumper5345]

@@salvatore2004 😱 I’m dying, I think you’re right

[@JoseSena-gs4tz]

Why does it have to be fair though?? Like I don’t get why that matters 😂😂😂😂😂 if it isn’t production it’s the judges so it shouldn’t matter if it’s fair, what should matter is accepting the way it is 😊

[@FelineStorm]

Challenge to be retired: any challenge where the words “Inner Saboteur” are part of the challenge.

[@highonsugar6273]

I really liked the dragazines challenge from season 4, the older seasons had much more creative challenge ideas

[@matthewlucas4990]

The branding challenge... Put your brand on a magazine. Put your brand on a soda. Put your brand on a social media dance. Put your brand on a __________. That challenge never went anywhere.

[@foxroxy86]

Bring back the perfume version or have them make a beauty brand. The beauty project could be unconventional.

[@highonsugar6273]

@@matthewlucas4990 it wasn’t a branding challenge, each queen was given a theme and they had to make a magazine cover out of it, such as “home decor” or “celebrity gossip”

[@saintastaroth5820]

Tbh of the english speaking franchises the only one that tries to be creative with challenge ideas at this point is Canada, whoever creates challenges for that version needs to be hired for the US seasons asap

[@whatdoestheemilysay]

The older seasons just had such random challenges that still allowed for creativity. I loved older seasons because queens were even confused as to "is this a serious challenge or a funny one?" and they had to figure it out. Like, the first Snatch Game and the divide of queens who were like "this is a serious impersonation challenge" and the queens who realized that being clever and funny was what worked. We need more random challenges! I would love to see a Starbootylicious stripping challenge again. Or another Bitchelor style challenge. Maybe a different reality show like a Netflix dating one.

[@Kantlim]

I'm alright with sitting through 6-7 cringeworthy Snatch Game performances just to get that 1-2 iconic ones tbh. Like, in S15, it was all worth it because we got Loosey as Joan Rivers.

[@Chris-ot9bk]

also snatch game isn't as bad as privilege gen z makes it out to it. like season 15, Loosey, Misstress, Marcia, Amethyst, Jax, Sasha (even Salina sometimes fight me) were good and there was only 3 bad snatch games.

[@annaofcleves5556]

Fr it’s my favourite challenge of the whole show just because of that, you get some bad ones but the good ones are golden

[@jackiecozzie4803]

​@@Chris-ot9bkI'm sorry why did you bring "privileged gen Z" in 😭😭

[@Chris-ot9bk]

@jackiecozzie4803 this fandom just makes me very anti-gen-z despite me being gen z myself and usually defending my generation 😭😭😭 and a lot of the gen z fans hate snatch game after season 14 because apparently one bad one means every snatch game is bad

[@jackiecozzie4803]

@@Chris-ot9bk ah I get you. As another gen Z myself, I think a lot of us were exposed to the internet way too soon and therefore some became more toxic and hateful themselves. Add that to the drag race fandom as it is anyway and you have a nasty combo

[@auwanho]

As a spoof for ANTM, 15 years been passed and there is still no an official main challenge as a photoshoot.

[@emilymarch8209]

wasn't that what they did for the first challenge on AS1? the opposites theme with the partners

[@joshie6082]

​@@emilymarch8209 they definitely critiqued them on the photoshoot and used them on the mainstage but i think the main challenge was their runways which is what landed mimi and pandora in the bottom

[@luizflc9937]

i want a hosting challenge!! Like hosting an event or something where it doesn't NEED to be funny but you need good stage presence and banter with the audience. Huge drag staple

[@VALENSlO]

True but how would u do that? They did on españa 2 but only one girl was a host

[@waddledeedeee]

​@@VALENSlOdont u mean españa 3??

[@Fueledbychapstick]

Closest thing I can think of is the club hosting challenge from All Stars

[@BeyondMountains15]

I heard that the issue with the writing is that drag race is considered an “unscripted” reality show, so they can’t hire union writers if they want to keep that designation. That’s why the acting challenges are so poorly written. Producers write them. So sadly, the writers strike would not stop this terrible writing, as it only applies to union writing work.

[@JoyD.C.]

Yep!

[@tovi3280]

oh shit i had no idea, this makes a ton of sense sadly

[@mydogdoesntlikeu]

Oh that makes sooooooo much sense 😳

[@drunkenfianna]

I would love to see a real quizz. Like Herstory, Gay history. Educate the children!

[@rosebyanyname]

Yes! Make it a tournament in-episode and call it Dragpardy!

[@poopoopeepee211]

yesss like a drag race trivia challenge or something. it would be a great way to get viewers actively engaged too

[@PuccioMA]

Yeah like the weakest link challenge but for real, with herstory, like how many people died at stonewall

[@mousepajamas8056]

Yesssssss

[@laincoubert7236]

@@PuccioMA fr, the recent weakest link with drag queens was so fun, miss paul should take notes

[@ginjajaz6618]

One of the things that drives me mad about the Acting Challenges is how weird they get about Queens changing words. I swear I've seen Michelle jump all over some Queens for changing the order of two words when it still makes sense vs like Bob being able to improv a bunch on her acting challenge. Bob's improv was genius and really improved the challenge and so deserved to win, but most other Queens are given no room to change a single thing.

[@asaabrahamagulnik574]

Changing up the script can lead to others not knowing where you are 'in the script' for their lines; that i why they 'get weird' (about changing up the words) yet it works for those that can switch them up sometimes

[@cocospufferia]

Changing words vs adding more to the scene through improv is entirely different though. Mistress did the same as bob in her season and was just as loved and praised for in the acting challenge. Changing words can throw off everyone even if it still makes sense and open room for everyone to do it (esp if one is given free pass) which sounds like a recipe for disaster. Adding more to the character through improv while still keeping the same lines is something michelle and the other judges and directors love and encourage.

[@garryd7748]

I think the roast is an incredibly important challenge, and can’t be replaced by standup. Drag queens need to be able to manage hecklers, and roasting them is part of the culture - queens should be great at putting people down in a funny and non-threatening way. It’s definitely one of my favourite challenges because a lot of the queens are capable of doing it so well.

[@kitgoolsby]

also there haven’t been that many of them and the only one that isn’t great imo is as8, so yeah i’m gonna go watch the season 13 roast over again idk i don’t remember any of the stand ups except as2… they’re meh, forgettable.

[@laincoubert7236]

i think the point was that roasts feel one-dimensional now. we're getting the same jokes about ross being a 🚬 and michelle being a man and rupaul being old. it's like when queens reuse plastic surgery jokes during the reading challenge - it's just tired. it was already tired when manila did that on AS4. we need (a) more fresh ideas or (b) more creative spins on old ideas or both, and i think most queens aren't (yet) able to tap into that type of comedy easily, especially on their first iteration of DR. so please leave it to the professionals (most notably AS7) or constrict the challenge in a way so that the queens have to hit, say, 50% of their jokes on, say, lady bunny.

[@vee.0742]

the makeover challenge will forever be my least favourite challenge in all of drag race, its boring, unfair, rigged, and just a slog to get through especially on a rewatch.

[@matthewlucas4990]

On Canada season 2 they forced the queens to MAKE looks for their makeover partner. (They were allowed to wear costumes from home for themselves.) It was a nice fresh take on the challenge and made it a little harder to rig.

[@bryanstivengomezmontoya9376]

​@@matthewlucas4990yes!!! And it turned out amazing! Every makeover in CS2 ended up being very memorable (Pythia ❤)

[@deyesed]

At least with France season 2 there was a strong social message and the guys were hot. Piche also could have stayed over Sara tbh, but they needed a plausible alternate to Keiona.

[@NinaJulia83]

To be fair, without the makeover challenge we would've never gotten Wintergreen 🤣

[@bratpackbimbo]

Too many robberies have happened here too. Cheryl, Dakota, Denali, Jessica Wild

[@ColinNP]

I think the structure provided by a "roast challenge" tends to produce way more consistent results than a "stand-up challenge", honestly. I think a lot of queens get too bogged down by coming up with a concept and what they're talking about to really hone in on the performance. For me, it's simple - just put it towards the end, bring back all the eliminated girls, and call it "The Roast of [Insert Season Here]" and you'll get an easy result that people actually want to rewatch on KZbin later.

[@ColinNP]

Bring the girls back to be in the audience, I mean.

[@khloeknievel3874]

It would be cool to see a talented writer like Julio Torres, Bowen Yang, or Amy Sedaris script an acting challenge.

[@zenbija]

I've sometimes wondered if they could ever do a sincere acting challenge. Give them scenes or monologues from classic stage plays like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf or A Streetcar Named Desire. They can bring a camp twist to them, but they need to do the script justice. This is probably really unlikely, because the dominant tone of "acting challenge" has been to make Ru laugh with over-the-top commitment to terrible writing like "Get those nuts away from my face." Sincerity is kept for the confessional moments... and of course any plays not in public domain would need to be licensed. But I for one would love to see it.

[@TheLunaRose]

I think canadas drag race season 3 did it right with reinvented challenges. The lipsync challenge was so good on episode 3 The eyeshadow palette / branding challenge The sewing challenge with them all having the same materials The first challenge reimagining their own looks they brought from home

[@laincoubert7236]

no lies detected here. not to mention the fantastic mini challenges!!

[@jamiekearns-twitchell2691]

​@laincoubert7236 the speed date with Brooke was SO GOOD.

[@dahliabloom]

the awards ceremony challenge that Kimmy won was so fun we need it again

[@heymistercarter.]

If you do a companion video on which previous seasons’ challenges they should bring back, I already know one: The Untucked lip-sync challenge from Season 5 That was such a fun challenge, where the DA’s could bring their own interpretation of classic moments from the show. Plus, as much as the LaLaPaRuZa, it can be an indication of how well the DA’s can lip-sync. That challenge was the first indication of how good CoCo Montrese was at lip-syncing, after all (seriously, how did she not win that?). And for everyone wanting more spoken-word lip-syncs after The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia, here you go!

[@c.k.8585]

UK S3's Miss Fugly Beauty Pageant. Now that's how you do a runway challenge. Every second of that episode was entertaining.

[@laincoubert7236]

@@c.k.8585 also from UK, Who Wore It Better? -- loved that spin on a design challenge

[@jamiekearns-twitchell2691]

It's not necessarily a new challenge, but I think the way CDR tackled the reunion and Top 4 in Season 2 was a great way to lead into the finale, and I'd love to see it on the main show.

[@c.k.8585]

@@jamiekearns-twitchell2691 Do you think Pythia did better than Gia in that lip sync? No? Then yeah, that tournament was a problem.

[@MissTweak1881]

Lipsyncing for the crown is definitely something I think should be retired; it's such a bad way to pick the winner. Imagine if they had it from the beginning, you think Bianca would've won against Adore and/or Courtney?

[@diskeyes]

It seems to me that the lip sync for the crown is there as a fail safe. Production already has a queen they want to win, so that lip sync isn’t for them. It’s for the girl production doesn’t think will win but if she can really show out during the lip sync and do something memorable and iconic then she might have a better chance at winning. I still think Anetra COULD have beaten Sasha Colby if she came out there with a Sasha Velour level performance.

[@theBGCsatire]

The Rumix challenge is a flop because they give them 5 bars each now...

[@sophieelizabeth04]

A pageant challenge would be a brilliant spin on the acting/ improv challenges or even snatch game. Like they have to answer pageantry questions and perform a number as the character like it’s still snatch game but there’s a small twist that keeps it fresh

[@helioshawkk]

Canada’s drag race did this!! First season, all the queens had to play a type character and go through a mock pageant

[@sophieelizabeth04]

@@helioshawkk oh yes I remember that!! It was quite a fun challenge. I just thought of pageants seeing as they are an element of drag performances so might help those who are more uncomfortable with the snatch game challenge

[@jaz02]

I'd love to see a video that covers all the fake drama, like Michelle's left tit being punched or Blair being arrested on the main stage.

[@dj_netwrk4901]

The fact that everyone always specifies its the left tit takes me outttt😭

[@adnan7956]

green gay has a really funny video in this!

[@mydogdoesntlikeu]

PLEASSEEEEEEE 💀💀💀

[@atoz4497]

new acting challenge idea: recreate iconic drag race myths. other than the two u mentioned, you have bianca breaking her ankle then coming back, the vixen doing gravity defying moves as aquaria dances naked on the judges table, nina throwing dental floss to plastique and telling her to make an outfit out of it, or even anita wiglit nastily rejecting an offer for help from rajah on CvTW

[@paigiepoohluv]

I don't understand why there aren't any makeup or wig styling challenges. like why don't they try to create more challenges based around these very specific skills that the queens are good at and also aren't talents that you get to see showcased on many other shows. like I would love to see a mini challenge similar to the foundation challenges they would do on Face Off where the queens get assigned a category (ex: demons, nature element, art style, animals, etc.) and they have to come up with a character and a head and shoulders makeup and hair look based on the category. that way we could actually get to see more about how the queens do their hair and makeup and we would get to see more diverse styles of makeup other than just the typical beauty makeup we see on the runway.

[@amethyst6531]

Kinda wild that we haven't had a makeup focused challenge yet, apart from the makeover kinda? Like, imagine how much Blu would've slayed a makeup challenge in UKvTW (thus justifying her win much more, @producers hire me). Would also be a way to push storylines in a healthy way (signature look vs pushing boundaries, etc.)

[@joburg2646]

Category is New Face Who Dis

[@spencywright9281]

My suggestion of how to fix lalaparuza: make it the first challenge of the season! Basically a redo of the season 13 premiere. Instead of sending a girl home, there would just be a lip sync for the first win of the season. It allows the judges (and viewers) to assess right from the jump who the best and worst lip syncers are, and would give a spotlight to the “dancing queen” types (like Jax, Jasmine Kennedie) who don’t usually win any other challenges throughout the season.

[@Jonny3845]

I Can already see Ruphoria happening 😭

[@sophieelizabeth04]

One challenge I’d love to see make a comeback is the lip sync challenge in season 5 where they recreated iconic drag race moments. It was so good and it would definitely connect the present day drag race with the drag race from 2012-2017 era. I also loved the ruhollywood stories acting challenge in season 7 and think that that idea would be fun and also entice viewers who have since drifted from the show. I feel like there is nothing wrong like bringing back challenges, but there has to be a new interesting take on it that makes sense and would make for a good sketch. Recently a lot of them have not made me laugh like they have done in the past

[@karldr4yner]

They need to bring back the Untucked Lipsync Challenge from S5! It was so much fun and there’s been so many more iconic Untucked moments since to reenact

[@kidkytes6233]

HIRE JINKX AND DELA TO WRITE YOUR SCRIPTS!!!! Sorry for the all caps but honestly it's such an easy way out or like you said, let the queens write it themselves or just have more involvement in it. The acting challenges are always the one I look forward the least to. They desperately need new writers.

[@meg4everzjtlyk]

Not to step on Neil Patrick Harris’s toes, but what if they brought drag me to dinner to drag race? A little hosting challenge for the girls

[@rolaskatox2828]

THE S5 UNTUCKED LIPSYNC CHALLENGE NEEDS TO COME BACK I LITERALLY CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH!!!!!!

[@Jkbn1512]

For the lipsync tournaments, I think it would be fun to have a non elimination episode for it. Instead of the loser going into the next round, the winner moves on. Whoever wins the final lip sync will then be the winner of the challenge. i feel like that will rly drive the tension forward too (so we don’t have a bad lip sync at the end of the episode). Maybe it only works in an all star season? but this format is a lot more interesting and you’ll get a lot stronger set of lip syncers towards the end. and also production just needs to realize rigging the balls and whatnot never adds to the drama of it all. i bet if they had a 100% genuine lalaparuza, it would feel a lot better for the audience. just my two cents 🤷‍♂️

[@iop283]

this comment aged like fine wine

[@joshhughes3332]

I want to see an interview challenge where the queens are being interviewed! Maybe by someone like Ross Mathews! In groups or 1 on 1. The queens are interviewed all the time after the show so could be fun and good practice

[@MultiOdom]

I Hate Hate Hate the talent show on regular seasons. They need to cut them or limit the amount of lip syncing.

[@CarlosGarcia-ds9dn]

Would love to see the Makeover challenges finally end. They are such an unfair challenge, a lot of luck goes into them, and they shouldn’t judge a queen, or eliminate them based on making over strangers that they don’t even get to pick.

[@karlabush3471]

This isnt a new challenge, but I think they should do "club hosting" kinda like what they did on season 2 & all stars 1, but have it reserved, like bring i select people like they do for some roasts/stand up challenges. It would definitely show the queens ability to host a drag night, like one person is the host, one person is the stunt performer, one person is singing, comedy, basically like a talent show, but try to keep the crowd entertained.

[@SignatureFox713]

I’d love to see a challenge that’s about makeup or wig styling Like take the TikTok challenge from AS7 and mash it up with creating a BRANDED signature look

[@RAGordy]

I see the talent show differently. A talent show answers the question “why are you here?“ for all of us. It should be early in the season in my opinion. I also think the lip-synch extravaganza answers the same question. Acting challenges and improv challenges should be only for All-Star seasons. When used in a regular season, they should be after a top-five, when the real talent shows up.

[@charmer129]

I think a big issue with the talent shows and stand up and stuff like that is that it is so difficult to do those things with no audience to feed off of.

[@christianblanco]

I'd love to see a challenge where they are made to sell things, like on the shopping channel (QueenVC?) Winner of the mini challenge gets to assign a product each, but they are also made to sell other things on the fly with no warning?

[@joburg2646]

RSN- the Rue Shopping Network

[@translivesmatterfr]

All stars 1 is a mess but the street prank/instructions episode was literally so fun.

[@oscarsoto8428]

They need to create a “hosting” challenge. So many drag queens have hosting duties as part of their regular routine, I’m surprised they don’t have a challenge that revolves around that.

[@ethanembry5739]

Backdrop is super fun, really loving seeing your channel grow over time : )

[@Brainfly-]

I think Season 15 proved that the Talent Show as a premiere could work really well, even on a regular season. Anetra, Jax, Marcia, Spice, Sasha and Princess Poppy all gave fantastic performances. I do agree they should give the queens a budget for it, because I would love to see some bigger productions (like on Espana), but I think overall it's a great way for queens to introduce themselves.

[@nokocchi1983]

i would like to see the return of a spoken word lipsync challenge (like the untucked challenge in season 5)

[@iandean1112]

Before watching the video: 1. Scripted acting challenges (they are bad) 2. Lipsync lalaparuza 3. Verse challenges

[@will9784]

I think a great way to keep the vibe of the lalaparuza without it being too predictable is to do what they did on canada 3 with the lip syncs in pairs or even the girl groups they did in france 2 when they choreograph a lip sync number It feels like something that rlly matches what queens do in the real world and it could be a nice edition

[@themosteliteyoutuberintheu3162]

I find it kinda interesting that whenever Drag Race sets a lip sync challenge (excluding the LSFTC in the finale obvi) it is usually the best lip syncer getting eliminated in it (Jasmine Kennedie, Jax, Lolita Banana. Etc) I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or not but I feel like production creates this specific challenge to eliminated the queen they like the least at something they are good at

[@heymistercarter.]

You know, if they ever do two new themes for Drag Race seasons, I thought of two inspired by one of my other favorite shows, Hell’s Kitchen: The first one is RuPaul's Drag Race: Battle Of The Ages. The theme of this HK season was to have half the cast be 20-something chefs, and the other half be 40-something chefs. So for this season, they could have RuPaul cast a bunch of younger, fresh-faced DA's and have them go up against older, battle-hardened and experienced DA's. You could argue they sorta did this on Season 7, where they had the young fashion DA's (Violet, PEARL, Miss Fame) Vs. the Bitter Old Lady Brigade (Ginger, Kennedy, Kasha). That said, I'm not sure if that was intentionally the theme of the season, or if that's just how the alliances and storylines went once everyone got together. With this, it could be the actual theme of the season, and Ru could see if she wants a younger or older DA to be America's Next Drag Superstar. The other idea is RuPaul's Drag Race: Rookies Vs. Veterans. This HK season had half the cast be previous alums from the show, and the other half be new faces. So for this, I could see RuPaul bringing some DA's back who maybe aren't ready for All-Stars but could prove their worth on another regular season (people like Irene Dubois, Rock M. Sakura, June Jambalaya, and so on) and have them compete against new members of the Drag Race family. So half a cast of Vanjies/Shangelas, half a cast of newbies. Think either of these could work?

[@elsolinn617]

I love the idea of the makeover! But it is not fair, queens get thrown in the bottom because of their partners. And the judging is so inconsistent, they change it every season

[@IaMShadows1]

I’ve always had the idea of a pride design challenge. Each queen has to design a look based on the meaning of each pride color. Also a makeover with twins would be cool

[@rwb3562]

They did that with the pride boat challenge that William won

[@jakubpuchalski2583]

Ok hear me out - i want to see more serious challenges. Like a serious acting skit. Just let the queens natural skills shine. NOT EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE FUNNY and right now the only challenges that are not comedy based are the design/ball and makeover challenges. Even the girl groups are full of jokes on the newer seasons

[@c.k.8585]

Maybe the lalaparuza should be a challenge for the win instead of just a challenge you survive. Do it at top 8 and at each round the winner advances. Then either make it a non-elimination episode or at the end, just have Ru call the two worst performers and have them do a lip sync for their lives (so you will get a bad one at the end but only after getting at least three good ones in a row but at the same time you will have so much tension in the workroom as those first four queens will be wondering who will have to lip sync for their lives)

[@erg7930]

Challenge ideas: - A Lip Sync Smack Down but for the win, in All Stars fashion the Top 2 have to pick one of the queens who lost the first round to go home. - Impersonation shouldn't be exclusive to Snatch Game, any other improv format could work. Bossy Rossy, political debate, or straight up copy other TV game shows and quiz shows like the Weakest Link - Ideas to inovate the Design challenges: the queens have to do a photoshoot with the look that factors into deliberation; give them a them and a song and let the queens perform their look just like Dragula floor shows; more design challenges in couples, Evil Twins for example; the queens design for each other kind of like S13 makeover + UK4 Design challenge; a Ball collab with a brand like they did with Hello Kitty; an All Stars rudemption design challenge where they have to redesign their worst look. - A Podcast challenge like Tabletalk or Pannels but bring a guest for an intervew (they just did this in s15 and I think it works if they polish the concept), do some fun gimmick... I think we’ll see more of these now that a big number of Ru girls have a podcast, more Award Shows / Hosting challenges. I desperately need a challenge that will get Ross and Carson in drag, a judges makeover? (Carson, Ross, Ts Madison and Michelle) There’s a reddit threat about this: www.reddit.com/r/rupaulsdragrace/comments/mpdh26/some_challenge_ideas_what_are_yours/

[@Amber-wq1sy]

All Stars 9 mild spoilers: I would love to see the lala paruza in this sort of non elimination season with 8 queens. The winners move on and you eventually end with your top 2. You'd end up with the best lip syncers getting properly rewarded whilst not having to perform any riggory.

[@therobotdevil2284]

Props to you for putting in spaces before the spoiler ❤ it's WILD how many people don't do that, rendering their warning pointless!

[@scottdreyer106]

Snatch Game needs to be altered slightly. Require the queens to play someone old-timey (someone with references that Ru knows), and lean into the fact that it's a spoof of an old game show. Make the point of it to be "can you impersonate a classic icon". Then they need to add a second challenge that's all about impersonating someone newer from pop culture. Have a "Ru Choice Awards" red carpet with Ross, Carson and Michelle as interviewers, and the "celebrities" have to interact with them as they make their way down the carpet, and answer their silly questions. So it's all about thinking on your feet, and embodying the star. And similar to snatch game, the questions you get asked are the framework for queens making it funny, but it feels current and trendy, compared to a classic snatch game. They could also make it "about the look", since snatch game isn't about the look, as much.

[@kronosfear2010]

I cant believe ive gotten to witness the change and growth of you and this channel!! 💜💜💜💜

[@Ciela887]

Rumixes are great when they're great, and when they're not, they're hard to watch. Same with acting challenges!

[@monique4645]

I’m not sure if its been done before but for the makeover challenge, I’d love to see something with another drag performer who may be first starting out or less experienced. I think that way it could incorporate a better performance and they could teach the newer performers their tricks.

[@jeannetterw]

I am loving Drag Duel. Glad you are all taking time to make sure the performers are okay ❤️. All the hosts and cast are so great!

[@juliannacoulman6032]

okay just started the video and I love the new backdrop, 1:05 plus you talking about it is so adorable thank you

[@stephaniejankowski3526]

Another amazing video!! Love watching all your stuff❤️

[@angelzashez]

I would love to see a challenge like the lip sync smack down and talent show combined. The queens lipsync to a licensed song or spoken word monologue paid for by the show (no original tracks), and they get full control of the choreo, backup dancers, props, etc. And there's a live audience they can interact with. Basically try to recreate what you get in a regular drag show at a bar.

[@missnoirz]

The thing with a talent show on regular seasons is that they dont have a brand. Monique,Trinity,India and other performances like that wouldnt have worked on a regular seasons,because they hadn’t happened yet. For example,Malaysia did a song about being a queen because she had nothing else because it was the first episode and she didnt have a brand

[@nicholasholmes258]

I actually really like the Talent Shows being on the regular seasons. On All Stars, you get so many song and dance numbers that it's tiring and it's all because they have the money and the memes and notoriety to do so. On a regular season, you get more variety. Like, a talent show can be momentous but I feel like the point of one is literally to have that variety of performances and the variety of how well those performances were executed. The flubs are just as important as the successes. But also, I think it helps showcase personality since you're getting to know the queens a little better. You get a better idea of who they are and how they think. And if they mess up in their talent show, then that also allows for growth too whether on the season itself or on All Stars.

[@VillainousVoxx]

I feel like instead of a roast they can just do a full reading challenge as a main challenge. That way we can have queens have more time to get better reads and can see more of the reads.

[@RoyG.BivDevoe]

I don’t think it’s exclusively the writing when it comes to the acting challenges, it’s the fact that Drag Race *refuses* to consider other formats of acting that doesn’t involve being a comedy or a musical. Bébé put it nicely when she was on Roscoe’s, that Drag Race lacks diverse acting challenges, we know that a lot of the queens that have competed can do comedy in an acting challenge well, but we the audience have never seen if they can truly act in different categories of acting. Like a serious drama, thriller, horror, contemporary, etc. We don’t know if they can deliver in other roles besides a comedy skit, because it’s the only thing that is provided from production and the Queens. The only time we have even a modicum of serious acting is in a Rusical, and it doesn’t last for very long before going back to the Kumbaya, we did it, we overcame, we’re all good and happy now scene. I just think it’s a disservice to the audience and to the girls by letting us not see what the girls are capable of by putting them in roles that doesn’t have to be a comedy skit all the time. As for the Queens I feel like production is holding them back from showing what they can do when in a role that fully showcases other facets of acting.

[@wulyfs]

Love the new set up, don't forget to steam your backdrop to eliminate fold lines!

[@anonymous6736]

Love the background Derek!!! Love it!! Obsessed

[@MrCherrycoke18]

The roasts are always one of my favorite, I love how willing the judges are to participate in being roasted, and insult comedy is just way funnier than fantastic Phil or Jackie trying on glasses. I thought the AS8 roast was one of my favorite challenges in a long time, Jessica and jimbo were great

[@theBGCsatire]

OOOH GURL yes they need to switch em up. Looking forward to watching.

[@lilhonor5425]

I would like to see a version of the club challenge back, maybe like a cruise itinerary or something where you come up with a theme and activities. I think also maybe a drag queen story time challenge could be cool. Or a puppet challenge where you have to design a character and do a performance could be really fun . It also would show skills like design and comedy in a different way.

[@DragicaOfficial]

I've seen so many local drag queen shows that prominently feature spoken word performances, I've always found it odd it's not featured prominently on DR

[@Housewarmin]

I think it would be nice to include more challenges focused on being an online personality. Podcasting, Photoshoots, KZbin Videos, Tik Toks etc.

[@Chris-ot9bk]

no. gen z has already ruined enough on drag race

[@amaterasu3099]

Based on the tik tok challenge in AS7... yeah no thanks

[@itslucca885]

i kinda create my own drag race, my own queens, so i can manipulate it the way i want, lol, and i came up with a voice acting challenge and instead of the rumix, the top 4 would do a recap song, mainly bc i don't think the challenges work super well when there's only 4 queens left and this would be a chill challenge to do also, i think they should bring the despy award challenge back but revamped, i think about it like a real award show, some of the queens would perform, some of them could be presenters, i feel like it could be refreshing to watch i love your videos, they're so fun to watch, i would love to watch you talk about the seasons made for a queen to win (s3, s15, as1, as2, as5, canada vs the world, as8)

[@justme0910]

The comedy queens are always my favorite, but I totally agree with the people who want more non-comedic challenges and challenges that CAN be tackled from a comedic angle, but where more serious performances have an equal shot at being rewarded by the judges. Maybe something similar to the floor shows we see on Dragula? Without the filth and gore, obviously, but "Here's a song/theme. Now build a character around it and tell us a story about them, using a combination of lipsyncing and costume design" seems like a set-up any drag competition show can use because it's a great way to show off a variety of different drag-related skills, from dancing and acting to special effects make-up. Plus, it'd be nice to highlight the skills of the conceptual queens, who despite being production and fan favorites usually get forced into adapting either a fashion-forward or camp approach that's very different from their performances off the show.

[@diegoreyes3604]

I think an interesting set up for a Lalaparuza would be bracket style. Instead of a lip sync winner being safe and then that’s it, that winner advances in the bracket and faces another winner. That would make it so good lip syncers advance and the audience gets to see them perform more and more for a GOOD reason. Queens vote for who goes home and The further you made it in the lip syncs, the more voting power you have. Only 1 vote counts for a queen who lost her first lip sync while the queen who made it all the way maybe counts for 4 or 5 votes. Maybe the voting is too much but the bracket idea I think would be great.

[@sexiestprodigalever9612]

would love to see a wig design challenge. the girlies make a lovely wig from a basic amazon wig or whatever and then a photoshoot for it that's neck up, so they can do their mugs but no outfit itself influences the wigs. and then a runway with whatever category.

[@tsarionlight2140]

What we need for the LaLaPaRUZa is that as a return challenge : the winner of each ls move on to the next round until someone returns. I'm sure this would be an incredible episode.

[@saidlakolatroniczucomg2094]

All Stars 6 be like 👀

[@Ruby-pi4jm]

Id love to hear you talk about the makeover challenge and how inconsistent the judging can be

[@janzataj6714]

Roasts are so ingrained into drag culture they CAN'T get rid of em

[@itsdannyhoney]

Makeover challenges get a lot of hate and i think a lot of that hate is because of the people they invite for the makeover. At this point I am beyond annoyed of seeing straight cis het guys getting a drag makeover they don't appreciate. I want to see queer people who are huge fans of the show and have a real passion for drag, are not afraid to experiment and get wild and KNOW HOW TO WALK IN HEELS. That is why CDR2 makeover is one of my all time favorite episodes, it was so beautiful seeing queer youth benefitting from that experience and seeing them bond with the contestants.

[@descoghlanforbes]

My challenge ideas include, 1) filming a full music video for a guest judges song (rina sawayamaaaa) where the queens decide choreo outfits backdrop camera angles etc and 2) the queens organise in pairs perhaps a tour of the drag race studio for super fans that way queens could fight over who gets to cover the main stage or werk room in the tour

[@lexwhy554]

The lalaparuza could be flipped to be a non elimination challange, where the girls are fighting for the win, making it fair but keeping the suspense momentum

[@scottdreyer106]

The Lip Sync Smackdown should have the winner of each LSFYL move on to the next bracket. The ultimate winner picks one queen to be in the bottom two, and the group votes on who is the other bottom two. They LSFYL and one goes home. But imagine the drama - would the ultimate winner pick a bottom queen that did the worst, or is competition? Would the group vote for the worst, or vote strategically to match up an assassin, with someone they'd easily send home?

[@nikoyoart]

I want to see mini challenges that are really fun! Even the ones where they have to go outside and do stuff I know that bcuZ social media is more prevalent it’s hard to do outside stuff without ppl taking pics LOL, but maybe the producers can create funny sets and situations that the queens would be suprised by, idk it’d just be fun. I wish this felt more like a fun competition

[@ashisburning7786]

Hey, love the vid, did you include the link for the background anywhere? Maybe I’m not looking hard enough but I rlly like it and I wanna maybe buy one for my own KZbin use >:)

[@theorganicsage4544]

The background is givinggg 💛 0:52

[@blackjackal8770]

Hey you can use a mix of softner, alcohol and water to un-wrinkle stuff! it takes some time to dry off after you apply it with a spray bottle but it's so effective I swear I never have to iron anything ever in my life

[@zenithian15]

I would love to see the queens do what they do best - hosting and performing in a club setting. Put them in teams, have one queen be the host, and the others perform. (Obviously, getting a live audience come in would be tricky, but we're talking hypothetical here). The team with the most tips (and overall best set) for the night wins!

[@ColtonMyers1]

Retire Snatch Game…Of Love…It just doesn’t work as well and doesn’t allow as much bantering back and forth when it’s split into smaller groups.

[@jepson_brown9892]

WAIT - the DRUK Rumixes were amazing? The Frock Destroyers? UK Hun? You had me up till this point 😂

[@JonahSMoonRiver]

yeah please link where you got that, it's so pretty!

[@SisterIndica]

I want to see them create their own podcast and record an episode (since queens having podcasts is so common place, they may as well get some experience)!