Canada's Drag Race

Bad judging, production and writing and overal a boring watch

CDR's smaller production budget would have been a great chance to adapt and deviate from the current US RPDR format. Instead, we got this...

All of the judges look and sound uncomfortable. Some episodes, best in challenge + OK/bad runway = no win. Other episodes, worst in challenge + great runway = win. Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman is particularly rude to queens. Brooke Lynn conveys little emotion. Stacey McKenzie is the only judge who consistently gives constructive criticism. The guest judges have been great, however.

Terrible production - bad lighting that does nothing for the queens, strange editing with over-use of sound effects and haphazard cuts and corny/unfunny writing.

I'm giving this 3 stars solely for the queens. They are all talented in their own ways and deserve better. They also certainly don't deserve to be body shamed in front of an international audience the way they were.

(Edited after 4 more episodes)

It's unlike most other seasons of drag race and rather than falling for the cast earlier on, I really don't think you get drawn in until about halfway through. Pythia and Icesis were definitely my front-runners but you really end up enjoying most of the cast towards the end. Canada is a lot more kindness and innocent puns but as someone who has seen every episode of every franchise, if you give it a few episodes, it gets really good. (EPISODE 8 WAS ONE OF THE BEST OF THE WHOLE FRANCHISE) Brooklyn could knock the air out of your lungs, she is stunning every look and plays the part perfectly. I really wish they'd just let her be the main judge since it's kind of off-putting to see the judge switch around so much but I guess I get it.

I've seen almost every episode produced by Ru Paul's Drag Race. Given that this is the first season, these Queen's are far more talented to that of the U.S. and Britain. I know the U.S. version started a long time ago and drag culture has progressed, but this definitely tops the British version. The judges aren't great but they can become great. Brooklyn was a fantastic option as well. She was in the finale of season 11 for the U.S. version. The girls clearly have talent. They can embrace their drag better because they grew up in a country that was one of the first in the world to legalize gay marriage. The Canadian Queen's have much more experience being in communities that are more accepting of drag. I'm sure they won't hold ANYTHING back!

RuPaul, Toronto is not far for you. It would have been MUCH MUCH BETTER to have you launch and host Drag Race Canada!!

It's a little surprising and disappointing RuPaul has not made an appearance on this English-language show, since it needs an injection of fun and entertainment to have a break from the often boring host (although I think he might be getting slightly better). Too scripted, and not enough spontaneity and fun. They almost need a good Canadian comedy host to do the job. If not Ru, maybe Michelle would be a better choice?

So much potential, so much room for improvement!

That said, thank you Ru for bringing a Canadian version to TV!

Canada's Drag Race proofs content is the King of any TV Show! Funny and talented Queens, different from each other, with bubbly personalities and great confessionals makes the Canadian instalment of the franchise a worthy version on its own.

On the other hand, the judges might be the downfall on Canada's Drag Race. As fans have been pointed, the trio constantly tries to mimic Mama Ru's mannerisms and distinctive way to speak, especially Bowyer-Chapman.

RPDR Season 11 runner-up and lip-sync assassin, Brooke Lynn Hytes, does a decent job as the drag host even when she still needs to loosen up a little bit.

While model and former ANTM runway coach Stacey McKenzie has been serving looks week after week, sometimes even overshadowing Hytes' fashions.