DRAG RACE RECAP PREMIUM

Subscribe today to enjoy premium content!

$6.49/month

RuPaul's Drag Race Recap

Afterthought Media
  • 3.9 (571)
  • AFTER SHOWS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Join Joe Betance and a rotating panel of co-hosts as they recap the latest episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race. Irreverent, smart and hilarious, Drag Race Recap will satisfy your craving to eavesdrop on gay friends as they critique their favorite reality show.

  1. Just Between Us Girls: Season 18. Episode 7.

    1D AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Just Between Us Girls: Season 18. Episode 7.

    Joe and Nathan are recording early this week, so if the world explodes between taping and release… just know they warned you. This episode meanders beautifully through musicals, memory care chaos, Dorito discourse, viral improv cringe, and a surprisingly emotional deep dive into the lifespan of friendships. HELLO DOLLY WEDNESDAYS Joe shares an update on his new activities role in memory care — and how trial, error, and YouTube have helped him craft the perfect daily schedule. From positive news headlines (sometimes completely fabricated) to chair exercises set to Sylvester, to the wildly successful “Table Ball” (a rubber playground ball + pool noodles = one hour of pure joy), Joe has found his groove. But the real star?Hello Dolly. The residents can’t get enough of it. So much so that Joe has officially instituted “Hello Dolly Wednesdays.” He and Nathan unpack why the film works so well — big musical numbers, constant movement, bold visuals, and minimal long stretches of dialogue. Gene Kelly connections are discussed. Babs’ casting is debated. And Joe confesses he’s not entirely sold on Barbra in the role. TASCHEN UNBOXING Joe unboxes his latest oversized coffee table book haul — including vintage anatomy, Los Angeles photography, Disneyland history, and a massive Tom of Finland volume gifted to John Paul. Old man hobbies? Perhaps. But the aesthetic joy is undeniable. MARGOT ROBBIE & BOGAN NACHOS Margot Robbie’s “Bogan Nachos” spark a heated cultural debate. Doritos + cheese + baked beans — culinary comfort or structural disaster? Nathan defends the oven-baked Dorito experience.Joe remains skeptical of the chip integrity. VIRAL IMPROV TROUPE Nathan brings up a TikTok improv group going viral for what appears to be painfully awkward comedy. Joe offers perspective from someone who’s seen countless improv classes: this is not rare — this is Tuesday. The real culprit? Possibly weak prompt structure. MICROAGGRESSIONS & MEXICAN BOTOX A casual restaurant conversation about medical tourism in Tijuana turns into an unexpected debate about trust, race, and perception. Joe questions whether an offhand comment crosses into microaggression territory — even when spoken by someone generally thoughtful about race. It’s nuanced. It’s messy. It’s real. AND THEN… Just as the emotional and cultural analysis peaks, Bucky arrives. Recording ends abruptly. Because some seasons last a lifetime.And some episodes end when your ride shows up. Follow, subscribe, and share if you enjoy the chaos.New episodes weekly.

    47 min

  2. 2D AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    S18EP07 - Drag Queens for Change

    Joe and Nathan break down Season 18, Episode 7 of RuPaul's Drag Race, where the queens pair up to film political parody ads for and against a series of very gay-coded propositions. It’s campaign season in the Werk Room — and not everyone survives the vote. In This Episode: • The fallout from Sierra’s elimination• The Raida Queen vote breakdown — receipts revealed• Florida stories, MAGA roommates, and cultural clashes• Michelle Visage in full “Director Michelle” mode• Who actually delivered in the maxi challenge• Why some ads felt safe… and others flopped hard• A strong lip sync to “Houdini” by Dua Lipa• Did the right queen win? Were the correct bottoms chosen?• Early thoughts on next week’s twist on Snatch Game Maxi Challenge: Political Parody Ads Working in pairs, the queens campaign for and against absurd propositions including: • Prop C (Clown Reform)• Prop Double D’s• Prop For Real• Prop 6969• Prop Kiki Some queens leaned into satire. Others leaned into… confusion. Joe and Nathan debate: • Whether Mikey’s win was deserved• If Darlene should have been closer to the top• Why Juicy’s performance worked emotionally, even if not technically perfect• And why Vita’s low-energy performance sealed her fate Runway Category: “I Can See Right Through Her” Transparent, translucent, and fully exposed looks hit the runway. Highlights include: • Mikey’s structured clear suit• Nini’s candy-wrapper fantasy• The ongoing face-kini fatigue• Discord’s walk returning to form Lip Sync Battle Juicy Love Dion vs. Vita Von T. StarrSong: “Houdini” – Dua Lipa Juicy embodied the track with confident, music-video-ready movement, while Vita delivered a standard bar-show performance. In the end, Juicy lived to see another day. Final Thoughts This week’s episode may not have reinvented the wheel, but it delivered solid performances, a satisfying lip sync, and just enough chaos to keep Season 18 unpredictable. And yes — next week is Snatch Game… with a twist. New episodes drop weekly. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. For bonus content and extended discussions, visit Patreon. See you next week.

    46 min
  3. S18EP07 - The Big Takeaway

    3D AGO

    S18EP07 - The Big Takeaway

    This week, the queens split into pairs to create “for” and “against” campaign ads for wildly gay-coded propositions. On the runway, the category was “I Can See Right Through Her,” serving sheer fabrics, illusion panels, and transparent fantasy. Mikey Meeks won the challenge. Juicy Love Dion and Vita Von Teese Star landed in the bottom two. After lip syncing to “Houdini” by Dua Lipa, Juicy Love Dion stayed, and Vita Von Teese Star sashayed away. In this episode of The Big Takeaway, Joe and Lauri break down whether the right queen won, whether the right queens were in the bottom, and whether the correct queen went home. They discuss: Whether Mikey’s win felt earned or overdue Why several of the performances felt technically fine but emotionally safe The growing sense that no single queen is dominating the season How playing it safe might be affecting the energy of the competition Whether adaptability — not just talent — is what separates queens in lip sync showdowns Joe explores the idea that some contestants may be holding back out of fear of producer edits or fandom backlash, leading to polished but predictable television. Lauri questions whether this cast has produced a true frontrunner yet — and whether that’s making the season feel even, but less electric. They also break down the Juicy vs. Vita lip sync and what ultimately made the difference on stage. Join us each week as we give our immediate reactions, gut takes, and first impressions of every new episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18. Support the show at patreon.com/afterthoughtmedia or subscribe on Apple Podcasts for early access and bonus content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    43 min
  4. RulaskaThoughts: Season 18. Episode 6.

    6D AGO

    RulaskaThoughts: Season 18. Episode 6.

    Joe and Robert return for a wide-ranging, deeply opinionated episode that somehow manages to cover neighbor hookups, diva worship, Los Angeles transplant culture, gay mentor lore, and the most divisive judging moment of the season—before they even get to the Drag Race recap. After a lengthy and very on-brand tangent on soda loyalty, Speedo sightings, and whether it’s ever wise to hook up with someone in your own building, the conversation shifts into pop-culture devotion and the idea of “diva worship,” with Joe and Robert unpacking why neither of them has ever fully subscribed to the Beyoncé-or-Gaga-as-religion mindset—and why disagreeing with a fandom can feel like heresy. The discussion turns political as they compare celebrity worship to political hero worship, drawing parallels between Drag Race stans, pop divas, and modern political infallibility narratives. From there, they dive into Los Angeles discourse: who gets to call themselves an Angeleno, why transplants often hate the city they moved to, and how saying “the PCH” immediately gives you away. Eventually, they do get to Drag Race Season 18, Episode 6, breaking down the fan outrage surrounding the Raider Queen twist, alliances, and strategic gameplay. Robert argues that viewers are missing the point by treating Drag Race like a merit-based competition, while Joe asks the most important question of all: would the outcome have actually changed no matter how the placements were shuffled? They discuss Mikey’s polarizing lip sync reception, Athena Dion’s unapologetic embrace of strategy over talent, and why Athena—intentionally or not—has become one of the most compelling personalities of the season. Robert shares a truly unhinged (and unforgettable) story from his early gay years that perfectly explains his affection for hyper-dramatic, self-serious queens. The episode closes, naturally, with an unexpected deep dive into gay porn archiving practices, flash drives, spreadsheets, vintage aesthetics, and why sometimes 1080p really is a human right—before Robert announces a brief retreat into the forest and Joe questions whether anyone truly misses their siblings. Chaotic, reflective, and hilariously off-the-rails, this episode is classic RulaskaThoughts: the Drag Race recap that refuses to stay on topic—and is better for it. Follow & Support Subscribe to RulaskaThoughts wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow Joe and Robert on social media for more hot takes, side quests, and questionable tangents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    46 min
  5. Just Between Us Girls: Season 18. Episode 6.

    FEB 9 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Just Between Us Girls: Season 18. Episode 6.

    This week on Just Between Us Girls, Joe and Nathan settle in for a wide-ranging catch-up that blends Drag Race adjacent chatter, pop-culture digressions, politics, movies, dating, and a surprisingly deep conversation about AI and trust. They start by reconnecting after a week apart, touching on how weird it feels to discuss an episode that’s already been heavily dissected elsewhere, before sliding into a lively debate sparked by a recent Big Takeaway conversation — including whether crime actually increases during the Olympics and how host cities like Los Angeles compare to places such as Milan or Rio. From there, the discussion turns global and political, unpacking audience reactions during the Olympic opening ceremony, the booing of political figures versus athletes, and what kind of reception a U.S. administration might face when the Olympics come to Los Angeles in 2028. Joe also offers a crash course in American political realities, midterms, and why so much government activity tends to grind to a halt. Mid-episode, things pivot to joy: Nathan recounts an all-day Lord of the Rings extended-edition marathon, complete with audience cheering, shared fandom moments, and the surprisingly emotional power of watching familiar films with a crowd. Dating updates follow, including reflections on connection, pacing, and what it feels like to do things “backwards” for once. The conversation then takes a thoughtful turn into artificial intelligence. Sparked by Nathan’s workplace AI training, the two talk candidly about trust, hallucinations, misinformation, and how AI tools are both incredibly useful and deeply flawed. Joe shares behind-the-scenes insight into how he uses transcripts, where AI has helped, where it has outright lied, and why skepticism and verification are essential. They wrap up by putting the tech to the test, revisiting past Drag Race predictions from Meet the Queens and checking how their early reads are stacking up now that the season is underway — with mixed results, surprises, and a few humbling moments. A classic JBUG episode: conversational, chaotic, thoughtful, funny, and all over the map — just the way listeners like it.

    42 min

  6. FEB 8 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    S18EP06 - Rate-a-Queen Talent Show Part 2

    Joe and Nathan are back to break down Season 18, Episode 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the second half of the Rate-A-Queen Talent Show. With only five performances left, the episode stretches strategy, alliances, and voting drama to their limits—sometimes past the breaking point. This week’s discussion dives deep into the workroom chaos, Sierra Mist’s desperate campaign to control the rankings, and Jane Don’t’s growing paranoia as a clear frontrunner who seems determined to make herself unlikable. Joe and Nathan also unpack Michelle Visage’s surprise workroom visit, Kenya Pleaser’s unraveling confidence, and whether production was scrambling to inject life into an otherwise repetitive episode. On the runway, the queens shake it up with the “Shake, Shake, Shake” category, before delivering their talent show performances. The hosts give their unfiltered thoughts on who actually deserved top placements, which acts felt underbaked, and why splitting the talent show into two episodes may have hurt everyone involved. The episode culminates in two lip syncs: Athena Dion versus Jane Don’t for the win, and Mikey Meeks versus Sierra Mist for survival. Joe and Nathan debate whether the judging made sense, whether Raider Queen voting is fundamentally broken, and what all of this means for the rest of the season. Topics include: – The failure of Week One versus Week Two alliances – Sierra Mist’s ill-fated strategy tour – Jane Don’t as a self-sabotaging frontrunner – Michelle Visage’s “know the words” intervention – Runway highlights and misses – Talent show standouts and disappointments – Lip sync results and questionable placements – Why this episode might signal the end of Raider Queen voting Athena Dion takes the win, Mikey Meeks survives the bottom, and Sierra Mist sashays away—leaving behind one of the most padded, strategy-heavy episodes of the season so far. Join us next week as we continue to discuss, dissect, and deconstruct every episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18. Follow and support the show at afterthoughtmedia.com Premium and bonus content available at patreon.com/afterthoughtmedia

    43 min
  7. S18EP06 - The Big Takeaway

    FEB 7

    S18EP06 - The Big Takeaway

    Joe and Lauri are back with their immediate reactions to Episode 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18, breaking down the second half of the Raida Queen Talent Show and the fallout from another chaotic week of alliances, voting, and questionable performances. This week, the queens return to the stage for part two of the Raida Queen Talent Show, followed by a runway themed Shake, Shake, Shake. On the main stage, Athena Dion and Jane Doe land in the top two and face off in a lip sync for the win. In the bottom, Mikey Meeks and Sierra Mist battle it out for survival, with Sierra ultimately being asked to sashay away. Joe and Lauri dig into whether the right queens were in the top and bottom, whether the voting actually made sense, and how alliances may be quietly shaping the competition. Lauri argues that Mikey Meeks delivered the most compelling and unique performance of the night and questions why it didn’t translate into a win. The conversation also tackles Kenya’s continued struggles, missed lyrics, and whether strong confessionals are keeping her safe. The episode takes a closer look at Athena Dion’s polished but polarizing talent show performance, Jane Doe’s comedic approach, and Discord’s confusing musical choices. Joe and Lauri debate whether competence and professionalism are being rewarded over risk and originality, and whether the math behind the votes is actually mathing. Along the way, the conversation veers into classic Big Takeaway territory, including side tangents, personal commentary, and unfiltered opinions that reflect the hosts’ first-impression reactions before the deeper recap episodes. This is The Big Takeaway: raw, immediate, and unapologetically honest. The Big Takeaway is part of the Afterthought Media network. Support independent queer media by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/afterthoughtmedia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    34 min
  8. Just Between Us Girls: Season 18. Episode 5.

    FEB 2 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Just Between Us Girls: Season 18. Episode 5.

    Joe and Robert catch up with a loose, free-flowing conversation that starts with winter isolation and spirals into pop culture, social media, and the shelf life of fame. From living alone and modern social etiquette to celebrity deaths and TikTok-era relevance, nothing is off the table. In This Episode: Robert recovers from being sick and talks about winter hibernation, living alone, and why unannounced visits are now a social crime A discussion about modern activism, economic boycotts, and how much of it is intentional versus accidental Joe and Robert unpack reactions to celebrity deaths and whether public grief is genuine or performative A deep dive into TikTok culture, effortless viral fame, and the long-term consequences of attention without substance Thoughts on aging, beauty, “twink death,” and how pop stars and influencers navigate fading relevance Nostalgia cycles, one-hit wonders, and why today’s pop culture moments may not have lasting power As always, the conversation zigzags through humor, blunt observations, cultural critique, and personal reflection—exactly where Joe and Robert do their best work.

    32 min
See All (696)

Hosts & Guests

3.9
out of 5
571 Ratings

About

Join Joe Betance and a rotating panel of co-hosts as they recap the latest episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race. Irreverent, smart and hilarious, Drag Race Recap will satisfy your craving to eavesdrop on gay friends as they critique their favorite reality show.

Information

More From Afterthought Media

You Might Also Like