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Revision as of 04:58, 6 March 2012

RuPaul's Drag Race season 4
File:Rdr logo.png
RuPaul's Drag Race series logo
Created byRuPaul Andre Charles
Directed byIan Stevenson
JudgesRuPaul Charles
Santino Rice
Michelle Visage
Country of originUSA
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersFenton Bailey
Randy Barbato
Tom Campbell
RuPaul
Chris McKim
ProducerWorld of Wonder
Running timeapprox. 43 minutes per episode (1 hour including commercials)
Original release
NetworkLogo

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4 is the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, which begins airing in January 30, 2012.[1] The cast members of season four were announced November 13, 2011.[2] The winner of season four will headline Logo's Drag Race Tour featuring Absolut Vodka, wins a one-of-a-kind trip courtesy of AlandChuck.travel, a lifetime supply of NYX Cosmetics, a cash prize of $100,000, and the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar."[3]

The cash prize for season four is the largest grand prize the show has offered to date.[3] It's also the first season since season one to not feature any contestants from Atlanta after two contestants from that city were cast in both seasons two and three.[4]

Contestants

The drag queens competing to be "America's Next Drag Superstar" for season four of RuPaul's Drag Race are:

Contestant Real Name Age Hometown 1 2 3 4 5 6
Chad Michaels Chad Michaels[5] 40 San Diego, CA IN WIN HIGH HIGH WIN IN
Dida Ritz Xavier Hairston[6] 25 Chicago, IL IN LOW LOW IN IN LOW
Jiggly Caliente Paulo Arabejo[7] 30 Queens, NY LOW IN IN HIGH IN LOW
Latrice Royale Timothy Wilcots[8] 39 South Beach, FL IN IN IN WIN IN IN
Willam Willam Belli 29 Los Angeles, CA IN IN IN HIGH HIGH WIN
Phi Phi O'Hara Jaremi Carey[9] 25 Chicago, IL IN IN IN HIGH LOW IN
Sharon Needles Aaron Coady[10] 29 Pittsburgh, PA WIN HIGH WIN IN HIGH IN
Milan Dwayne Cooper[11] 36 New York, NY IN HIGH IN LOW LOW OUT
Kenya Michaels Omar Olivera Bonilla[12] 21 Dorado, PR LOW IN HIGH LOW OUT
Madame LaQueer Carlos Melendez[13] 29 Carolina, PR IN WIN LOW OUT
The Princess Adam Biga[14] 32 Chicago, IL HIGH LOW OUT
Lashauwn Beyond Jamall Jackson[15] 21 Fort Lauderdale, FL HIGH OUT
Alisa Summers Alex Hernandez[16] 23 Tampa, FL OUT
  The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race.
  The contestant was the runner-up.
  The contestant won a challenge.
  The contestant was one of the best but did not win the challenge.
  The contestant was one of the worst but was not in the bottom two.
  The contestant was in the bottom two.
  The contestant was eliminated.
  The contestant was voted Ms. Congeniality by viewers.

Guest judges

Episodes

Episode One: RuPocalypse Now!

The first episode of season 4 was released prior to its January 30 air date to fans of the RuPaul's Drag Race Facebook page. The sneak peak video was released on January 27, but its content was cut short before the runway walk and judging.[18] Thirteen new queens begin their quests for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar," but first must survive drag zombies and the end of the world. After revealing their apocalyptic couture on the runway; Milan, Chad Michaels, Willam, Phi Phi O'Hara, Latrice Royale, and Dida Ritz were all called out as safe. Rupaul does stop them momentarily to request they impress her next week before they leave the stage. Sharon Needles, the Princess, and Lashawn Beyond are praised for their looks. Lashawn Beyond's timid personality hinders her from the win, but she is safe. The Princess' look failed to show true apocalyptic wear-and-tear, but otherwise was a hit, and is safe. Sharon Needles' flair for the macabre works to her advantage, and she wins the challenge; gaining a custom made dress and immunity from elimination next week. Kenya Michaels' outfit shows no resemblance to anything apocalyptic, yet her fierce runway walk and fiery persona saves her from the bottom two. Jiggly Caliente's messy attempt at a sewn outfit lands her in the bottom two alongside Alisa Summers, who's outfit focused far too much on her breastplate for the judges' tastes. After lip syncing, in which Jiggly Caliente gives a high energy performance over Alisa Summer's more lackadaisical approach, Rupaul sends Alisa Summers home before declaring Jiggly as safe.

  • Guest Judges: Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and Mike Ruiz
  • Mini-Challenge: Photographer Mike Ruiz shoots the contestants for a "totally toxic" photo spread where they pose on a spinning platform while being sprayed with "hazardous waste."
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Jiggly Caliente
  • Main Challenge: The queens design a post-apocalyptic couture outfit from items looted from drag queen zombies.
  • Challenge Winner: Sharon Needles
  • Bottom Two: Jiggly Caliente and Alisa Summers
  • Lip Synch Song: "Toxic" by Britney Spears
  • Eliminated: Alisa Summers
  • Farewell Message: "Keep it cute ladies! Shady sisters 4-ever! ♥ Alisa"

Episode Two: WTF!: Wrestling's Trashiest Fighters

Women's wrestling challenge, an homage to G.L.O.W.. Further to the mini-challenge, the queens were separated into three teams headed by the mini-challenge winners, and were asked to create a wrestling storyline and to choreograph a match, to be performed in front of the judges and a live audience. In addition, the teams had to split into binomials : the nice girls, or Faces, and the bad girls, or Heels. The girls were also asked to walk the runway in their best "girly-girl" couture. Team Chad wins the challenge, with Chad and Madame being declared the overall winners, for their portrayal of the "Bitch Kickers". They both win a set of wigs, yet with two sharing the win, no immunity is given this week. The remaining two teams receive varied amounts of criticism, with Phi Phi, Jiggly, Kenya, and Latrice on the high end, and DiDa, Willam, Lashauwn, and The Princess on the low end. The judges thought that Willam's wresting looked fake. DiDa's dress was not appreciated and Billy B. added that she got the "girl that sort of walk around the ring thing", but her wrestling was weak. Lackluster performances by Lashauwn, who seemed not to take the challenge seriously, and The Princess, who didn't step up and tried to act mean, land them in the bottom two. During the lip-synch elimination, Lashauwn commits several drag offenses during the routine, most noticeably kicking off her heels at the start of the song. Ultimately, these combined with a fairly pale lip-sync performance sends her packing, with Ru declaring the Princess as safe.

  • Guest Judges: Rick Fox and John Salley
  • Mini-Challenge: Split into teams of four and created a "badonkadonk" with padding.
  • Mini-Challenge Winners: Chad Michaels, Willam, Phi Phi O'Hara
  • Main Challenge: Create a wrestling storyline, with "backstage" clip and entertaining match in the ring
  • Challenge Winners: Chad Michaels and Madame LaQueer
  • Bottom Two: The Princess and Lashauwn Beyond
  • Lip Synch Song: "Bad Girls" by Donna Summer
  • Eliminated: Lashauwn Beyond
  • Farewell Message: "Stay true 2 U + xoxo good luck! –Beyond!"

Episode Three: Glamazons vs. Champions

The queens make commercials for RuPaul's albums Glamazon and Champion. The queens were separated into two teams, led by Phi Phi (team Champion) and Kenya (team Glamazon). During the recording, The Princess forgot several times her lines while Dida tried to get out of her comfort zone but didn't look natural. In the meantime Sharon Needles had a hard time connecting with the challenge, as she felt Phi Phi was pigeon holing her as a goth queen. The girls were asked to walk the runway with their "platinum and gold" drag looks. Willam, Phi Phi O'Hara, Latrice Royale, Milan and Jiggly Caliente were declared safe. During the judges' critics, Madame LaQueer's outfit was compared to "fungus" by Michelle Visage, who also thought that her infomercial was relying too much on Spanish. Chad Michaels also received high appreciations for her look, but is encouraged to get out of her perfection. Kenya's energy and great look had a good impression on the judges. Sharon Needles' look was praised and RuPaul declares her the winner of this week's challenge, earning another week of immunity and a set of costume jewelry. Dida and The Princess were asked to lip sync for their lives in response to their fumbling, meek infomercial performances. Dida gave a high energy to her performance, impressing everyone. This lead RuPaul to ask her to stay and The Princess to "sashay away".

  • Guest Judges: Amber Riley and Natalie Cole
  • Mini-Challenge: Create hats with butterfly-shaped accessories for guest Piyah Martell, Internet diva and transgender teen born with Caudal Regression Syndrome.
  • Mini-Challenge Winners: Phi Phi O'hara, Kenya Michaels, Jiggly Caliente
  • Main Challenge: Produce and act in TV infomercials for RuPaul's Glamazon and Champion.
  • Challenge Winner: Sharon Needles
  • Bottom Two: DiDa Ritz and The Princess
  • Lip Synch Song: "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole
  • Eliminated: The Princess
  • Farewell Message: "This is (only) the begining [sic] ! Much Love - The Princess / I ♥ U DIDA RITZ!"

Episode Four: Queens Behind Bars

The queens act in a sitcom set in a jail. After appearing in their best red-carpet attire; team Willam is declared the winning team, with Latrice's sassy, hilarious performance placing her in first place for the week. Team Madame receives largely negative reviews. Dida's polish is once again admonished, but her performance in the challenge was highly praised, keeping her out of the bottom two. Sharon's attitude during the challenge gets her in trouble, but she too is safe. The judges felt that Kenya was miscast, resulting in an awkward performance. Even so, Kenya is safe. Madame's botched up job as team leader, as well as her sloppy performance lands her in the bottom two alongside Milan, whom the judges felt wasn't shining through for having an acting background. During the lip sync, Milan splits, death-drops, and rips her dress and wig off. Madame also tears off her wig, but otherwise fails to outshine Milan, and is consequently eliminated.

  • Guest Judges: Nicole Sullivan and Max Mutchnick
  • Mini-Challenge: In pairs, paint each others faces while handcuffed to one another and pose for a mug shot photo shoot.
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Willam and Madame LaQueer
  • Main Challenge: In two teams, star in two different episodes of a sitcom.
  • Challenge Winner: Latrice Royale
  • Bottom Two: Milan and Madame LaQueer
  • Lip Synch Song: "Trouble" by Pink
  • Eliminated: Madame LaQueer
  • Farewell Message: "Girls: Stay humble... People go up... You'll be on the way down! Kisses MLQ / Chad, Sharon, Milan, Dita [sic] = True Friends / Kenya : Botate Mami !"

Episode Five: Snatch Game

For the mini-challenge, the contestants participate in a game called "Beat the Cock" (a pun on the game show Beat the Clock). Three contestants compete against one another in three preliminary rounds that lead up to a "cocktacular finale." The winner of the challenge is promised a call home. Each round features some form of innuendo, with chicken entendres and physical dexterity: "Cock-a-Doodle-Ru" (won by Phi Phi), "Pluck-a-Duck" (won by Dida), and "Choke the Rooster" (won by Milan). The final round of Beat the Cock pits Phi Phi, Dida, and Milan in "Lay An Egg," where each queen navigates a wig-head obstacle course while tucking raw eggs between their thighs. Phi Phi succeeds in winning Beat the Cock, though she gives her prize (a call home) to Chad Michaels (who would be celebrating an eight year anniversary with his boyfriend were he not on the show). The main challenge is revealed to be this season's installment of "Snatch Game" (imitating the name and format of Match Game): a comedic game show in which the episodes' celebrity guest judges star as contestants and the queens impersonate female celebrities of their own choosing.

Queen Celebrity Impersonation
Chad Michaels Cher
Dida Ritz Wendy Williams
Jiggly Caliente Snooki
Kenya Michaels Beyonce
Latrice Royale Aretha Franklin
Milan Diana Ross
Phi Phi O'Hara Lady Gaga
Sharon Needles Michelle Visage
Willam Jessica Simpson

Jiggly, Phi Phi, and Kenya are openly critiqued by Latrice for their "unprofessional" behavior during the Snatch Game. She scolds them for interrupting RuPaul and the tone of their performances; described (on Untucked) by Sharon as "nutty" and "way over the top" by Jiggly. On the runway, Chad Michaels is praised for his giraffe-print outfit and his impersonation of Cher, which is his claim to fame as a drag performer. Though Willam and Sharon also have exceptional performances, Chad is named the winner of the challenge. Phi Phi, Kenya, and Milan are singled out for their poor impersonations of the celebrities they were trying to imitate. Milan also receives criticism for wearing a tuxedo (à la Janelle Monáe) as a man in a drag competition (Michelle Visage calling her a "drag king"). Ultimately, Kenya and Milan are in the bottom two and both provide energetic renditions of the song. Milan's homage to voguing makes him safe and sends Kenya home.

  • Guest Judges: Loretta Devine and Ross Matthews
  • Mini-Challenge: Compete in a game called "Beat the Cock"
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Phi Phi O'Hara
  • Main Challenge: Celebrity impersonations in a Match Game-style setting
  • Challenge Winner: Chad Michaels
  • Bottom Two: Milan and Kenya Michaels
  • Lip Synch Song: "Vogue" by Madonna
  • Eliminated: Kenya Michaels
  • Farewell Message: "[...] / I'll be waiting for you in my kindom [sic] (addendum : kingdom) / Phi-Phi - I love you - sisters 4 ever"

Episode Six: Float Your Boat

The dolls design ship-shaped parade floats for a pride-filled runway extravaganza. With guest judges Kelly Osbourne and NCIS' Pauley Perrette.

Queen Color
Chad Michaels Pink
Dida Ritz Red
Jiggly Caliente Orange
Milan Yellow
Sharon Needles Green
Latrice Royale Turquoise
Willam Indigo
Phi Phi O'Hara Purple
  • Guest Judges: Kelly Osborne and Pauley Perrette
  • Mini-Challenge: Gain the biggest crowd reaction in a Wet T-Shirt contest.
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Willam
  • Main Challenge: Create and wear a parade float based on one of the colors of the gay pride flag.
  • Challenge Winner: Willam
  • Bottom Two: Jiggly Caliente and Milan
  • Lip Synch Song: "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga
  • Eliminated: Milan
  • Farewell Message:

Episode Seven: Dragazines

The queens turn the publishing industry on its wig as they launch their own magazines. With guest judges actress Regina King and country legend Pam Tillis.

  • Guest Judges: Regina King and Pam Tillis
  • Mini-Challenge:
  • Mini-Challenge Winner:
  • Main Challenge:
  • Challenge Winner:
  • Bottom Two:
  • Lip Synch Song:
  • Eliminated:
  • Farewell Message:

Episode Eight: Frenemies

  • Guest Judges:
  • Mini-Challenge:
  • Mini-Challenge Winner:
  • Main Challenge:
  • Challenge Winner:
  • Bottom Two:
  • Lip Synch Song:
  • Eliminated:
  • Farewell Message:

Marketing

In January of 2012, Logo released the second running of RuPaul's Fantasy Drag Race; an online fan contest inspired by fantasy football where viewers assemble a team of three season four Drag Race contestants. Players receive and lose points based on their team's performance on the show, and can earn additional points by redeeming codes and performing tasks given out when episodes of the show first air. The highest scoring players receive Drag Race and NYX Cosmetics products, and one player wins a trip for two to the first stop on Logo's Drag Race Tour.[19]

Already having a generous social media presence, Logo expanded its efforts across Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, GetGlue, and Foursquare in preparation for the premiere of season four. Both RuPaul and contestants tweet live while the show airs, and LogoTalk! chat parties (featuring judges, contestants from previous seasons, and contestants from season four) occur on the official Logo website while participants watch new episodes.[20] Season four specifically marks an increased interest from Logo in Tumblr, where the network publishes animated gifs, contestant trading cards, and images that incorporate internet memes.[21] Dan Sacher, VP of digital for VH1 and Logo, has stated that their online marketing efforts are part of helping the small network expand their fan base across as many outlets as possible.[20]

Reception

The premiere episode of season four averaged a .6 rating in the 18-49 demographic, totalling 481,000 viewers, and ranked as the highest-rated premiere in Logo's network history. Untucked totalled 254,000 viewers, marking the companion show's most watched debut. During the evening of the premiere, the show registered eight US trending topics on Twitter (including Jiggly Caliente, Sharon Needles, Phi Phi O'Hara, and Latrice Royale) and reached a 7th place ranking on Trendrr. Leading up to the first episode, the show's Facebook page saw an 89% increase (earning over half a million fans).[22]

References

  1. ^ Polly, John (2011-10-10). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4 Judges: Think Glee, Modern Family!". NewNowNext. Logo. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
  2. ^ "Rupaul's Drag Race Season 4". Logo. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
  3. ^ a b Shumaker, Jason (2011-11-14). "HALLELOO! "RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE" RETURNS TO LOGO FOR A NEW SEASON OF OUTRAGEOUS REALITY COMPETITION IN JANUARY 2012". Logo Press Room. Logo. Retrieved 2011-11-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Fleming, Mike (2011-11-14). "Atlantans left out of 'Ru Paul's Drag Race 4'". Q Pulse. Project Q Atlanta. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  5. ^ Keys, Jeffrey (2011-12-20). "A Drag Race Christmas: Chad Michaels". Queerty. Queerty. Retrieved 2012-1-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  6. ^ Keys, Jeffrey (2011-12-20). "A Drag Race Christmas: DiDa Ritz". Queerty. Queerty. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  7. ^ Keys, Jeffrey (2011-12-23). "A Drag Race Christmas: Jiggly Caliente". Queerty. Queerty. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
  8. ^ Keys, Jeffrey (2011-12-19). "A Drag Race Christmas: Latrice Royale". Queerty. Queerty. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  9. ^ Keys, Jeffrey (2011-12-19). "A Drag Race Christmas: Phi Phi O'Hara". Queerty. Queerty. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  10. ^ Keys, Jeffrey (2011-12-20). "A Drag Race Christmas: Sharon Needles". Queerty. Queerty. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  11. ^ Keys, Jeffrey (2011-12-27). "A Drag Race Holiday: Milan". Queerty. Queerty. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
  12. ^ Keys, Jeffrey (2011-12-26). "A Drag Race Holiday: Kenya Michaels". Queerty. Queerty. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
  13. ^ Keys, Jeffrey (2011-12-22). "A Drag Race Christmas: Madame LaQueer". Queerty. Queerty. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
  14. ^ Loza, Josefina (2012-1-4). "Former Omahan goes for it in 'RuPaul's Drag Race'". Omaha.com. Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 2012-01-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Keys, Jeffrey (2011-12-24). "A Drag Race Christmas: Lashauwn Beyond". Queerty. Queerty. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
  16. ^ Keys, Jeffrey (2011-12-20). "A Drag Race Christmas: Alisa Summers". Queerty. Queerty. Retrieved 2012-1-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Shumaker, Jason (2011-12-12). ""RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE" FOURTH SEASON PREMIERE SASHAYS ONTO LOGO, MONDAY, JANUARY 30th". Logo Press Room. Logo. Retrieved 2012-01-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Smothers, Thairin (2012-1-27). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4 Full Trailer". The WOW Report. World of Wonder. Retrieved 2012-01-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "RuPaul's Fantasy Drag Race". Logo online. Logo. Archived from the original on 2011-03-16. Retrieved 2012-02-08. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 2011-04-16 suggested (help)
  20. ^ a b Winslow, George (2012-01-30). "Logo Expands Social Media Efforts". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  21. ^ Edelsburg, Natan (2012-02-03). "Inside look at how Logo's 'RuPaul's Drag Race' is using Tumblr". Lost Remote. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  22. ^ Shumaker, Jason (2012-2-1). "LOGO'S SEASON DEBUT OF "RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE" ON MONDAY NIGHT SCORES AS THE HIGHEST-RATED PREMIERE IN NETWORK HISTORY". Logo Press Room. Logo. Retrieved 2012-02-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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