Gay's Anatomy

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"Gay's Anatomy"
RuPaul's Drag Race episode
Screenshot of various contestants out of drag standing in a set, with an impartial image of RuPaul in the background.
Scene from the episode with Gigi Goode and Nicky Doll in charge of deciding what acting roles they choose for the remaining contestants in the Werk Room.
Episode no.Season 12
Episode 5
Directed byNick Murray
Original air dateMarch 27, 2020 (2020-03-27)
Running time62 minutes
Guest appearance
Normani
Episode chronology
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RuPaul's Drag Race (season 12)
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"Gay's Anatomy" is the fifth episode of the twelfth season of the American television series RuPaul's Drag Race, which first aired on March 27, 2020, through American cable network VH1. It was followed by an episode of the companion series RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked. The episode has the remaining contestants overact in a parody based on the medical drama series, Grey's Anatomy. Normani serves as a guest judge, alongside regular panelists RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Carson Kressley.

Sherry Pie is the winner of the main challenge. Nicky Doll is eliminated from the reality competition after placing in the bottom two and losing a lip-sync performance against Heidi N Closet to "Heart to Break" (2018) by Kim Petras.

Episode[edit]

American singer and dancer Normani (pictured in 2019) is the episode's guest judge.

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 farewell message of the eliminated contestant.[1] RuPaul announced the fifth challenge, which tasks contestants to overact in a television parody. Two contestants who received the pink pill, are in charge of the casting roles; Gigi Goode and Nicki Doll were revealed to have the pink pill.[2]

The acting challenge and character roles are a spoof of Grey's Anatomy, a medical drama series. Gigi Goode decided to take the role of Dr. Tizzy Stevens (Izzie Stevens) with Nicki Doll acting out as Baby Dearest; Widow Von'Du was assigned with Mimi Dearest.[3] Jackie Cox and Jan were chosen to be Meredith Gay (Meredith Grey). Jaida Essence Hall was given the roles of Rhonda Shimes (Shonda Rhimes), Brita as Dr. Sandra Okurrr (Cristina Yang), and Sherry Pie as Dr. Mother Gay.[4]

RuPaul introduces Normani as the guest judge of the episode, alongside Michelle Visage, with alternating judge Carson Kressley.[5] The runway category is "Planet of the Capes", which requires the contestants to present cape looks. Aiden Zhane presented a look referencing The Silence of the Lambs (1991), meanwhile, Gigi Goode showcased a reinterpretation look from Troop Beverly Hills (1989),[6] and Sherry Pie wore an Elvis Presley-inspired outfit.[7] RuPaul declares Sherry Pie as the winner of the main challenge and wins a cash tip of $5,000.[a] Aiden Zhane, Gigi Goode, Jan, Jackie Cox, and Widow Von'Du received positive critiques but were deemed as safe; they headed back to the Werk Room. Brita, Crystal Methyd, Heidi N Closet, Jaida Essence Hall, and Nicky Doll were critiqued negatively.[9]

Nicky Doll (pictured in 2022) is eliminated from the competition.

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 performance to "Heart to Break" (2018) by Kim Petras. Nicki Doll is eliminated from the reality competition, and returns to the Werk Room to write a message on the mirror for the contestants using lipstick.[10]

Production[edit]

The 63-minute episode was directed by Nick Murray, and originally aired on VH1 in the United States on March 27, 2020. The episode's premiere was seen by close to 630,000 viewers.[11] A disclaimer regarding the catfishing allegations of Joey Gugliemelli (also known as Sherry Pie) from VH1 appears in every episode;[12] they also exclude footage of them aside from episodes three and five.[13] World of Wonder, the production company behind the reality competition, donated $5,000 to The Trevor Project due to the disqualified contestant winning.

After its episode premiere including the companion series, Brita issued an apology on Twitter for her actions towards Aiden Zhane, and expressed, "It is obviously not okay to bring one of my sisters down just because I was feeling a certain way."[14] Nicki Doll told Gay Times that she "needed to fight twice as hard to show my personality" and felt "like it was an All Stars season."[15] Previously eliminated contestants, Dahlia Sin and Rock M. Sakura, shared on social media what they would have worn for the runway had they still competed.[16]

Reception[edit]

Dylan B. Jones of The Guardian said the episode started with Gigi Goode crying due to the recent elimination and "will never not be good [television]" and will not surpass Julianne Moore crying. The acting challenge was described as "throwing things up in the air" and believes Nicky Doll is set to be eliminated. He also mentions the rivalry storyline involving Aiden Zhane being too "predictable" and "it'll start to run thin pretty quick."[17]

In a four out of five review, Paul McCallion of Vulture felt the acting challenge "cements itself as one of the better installments" such as "Breastworld". McCalliion praised Brita and felt she "can attest to the star quality she exudes on stage."[18] Kate Kulzick of The A.V. Club gave the episode a rating of B+ and said the parody draws many "memorable installments" of the medical drama television series. Some contestants were "standouts but no lowlights" and criticized the judging panel being "vague".[19] Jom Elauria of Screen Rant included the sketch parody in a list comprising the series ten best-acting challenges in 2022.[20]

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^ The production company donated $5,000 to The Trevor Project, due to Sherry Pie's disqualification from the reality competition.[8]

References[edit]

  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). "TV 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. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  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: 10 Best Acting Maxi Challenges". Screen Rant. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2024.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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