That Time ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ Pulled Off the Perfect ‘Graham Norton Show’ Parody
hen RuPaul’s Drag Race UK announced its judging panel in 2019, it made perfect sense that Graham Norton would be a part of it. As one of the most prominent gay comedians with such an expansive resume, Graham Norton’s expertise proved that his wealth of knowledge would be beneficial to the contestants. Alongside RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Alan Carr, another celebrated UK chat show host, Graham Norton, slipped right in and added another hit series to his ever-growing resume. But who could have known that he would bring his show to RuPaul’s Drag Race UK along with him?
As the series has expanded and evolved over the years, new challenges have been implemented to test the queens. Just last season, a new challenge, inspired by the host himself, was incorporated. And the result was exceptional. Celebrating Graham all episode long, the queens were given a chance to test their real-world abilities on the series. It was a perfect challenge and a brilliant way to remind viewers of the importance of The Graham Norton Show.
How ‘The Graham Norton Show’ Came To ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’
The main mission of RuPaul’s Drag Race, no matter the continent, is to find the next Drag Superstar by testing their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. Through classic challenges like Snatch Game and the Rusical, the queens know the staples that will come before them. But for Season 6, the queens were tasked with a brand new challenge. They had to pretend they were big A-list stars guesting on The Graham Norton Show.
Before they got on the infamous couch, the queens were first tasked in the episode’s Mini Challenge to test out a joke in the Big Red Chair by telling a hilarious joke or risk being flipped. Let’s just say they all got flipped. The impact that this segment has had on the nation and fans around the world was felt through this challenge. As much as the participants may not want their legs tossed over their heads, viewers are hungry for a hilarious moment. RuPaul ensured that happened. Following the Mini Challenge, it was time to tackle The Graham Norton Show with the man himself.
In this Maxi Challenge, the queens were tasked to split into two teams to partake in a mini-parody version of The Graham Norton Show. And the exercise was especially realistic with Graham at the helm. He portrayed himself as the queens were tested in active listening, storytelling, and the ability to banter. Through anecdotes and playful banter, the queens were transported straight onto the infamous couch sans actual cocktails. The challenge was more than just to test their ability to gab; it showcased how they might fare in the real world when they’re on the mic themselves, and it wasn’t an easy test. Some queens faltered, unsure of when to chime in and how to tell their story. Other queens, like the incredibly dominating La Voix, excelled, with Graham noting it was a masterclass. Even though La Voix was clearly the star of the couch, the majority of her group’s ability to riff with one another kept the energy up. It was almost like an actual episode of The Graham Norton Show!
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Why ‘The Graham Norton Show’ Matters To Queer Television
The beauty of this challenge was that the aura and vibe Graham Norton infuses into the actual show was alive and well despite the unusual situation. His ability to keep the conversation flowing, even in the context of a competition series, was masterful. And it’s all thanks to his decades of experience. Additionally, as a judge on the show, of course, he wanted to ensure that every single queen had the opportunity to shine, and he was in a position to make sure that happened. Even if they were struggling, he found a way to bring them back up. When Charra Tea shared her story, she was struggling to ensure that the punchline landed. She made a good effort, but it never quite landed. But then, since there was extra time left in the segment, she was able to gobble up the spotlight and find another quick anecdote that not only landed, it saved her. All thanks to Graham’s quick wit for posing a question about fame.
The reason why this challenge was a success is mainly due to the media institution that The Graham Norton Show is. The queens knew the references because they had seen the show and knew what they had to do. Even so, being out on that couch, the pressure is on. They can gab with one another in the Werk Room, but can they do it with Graham Norton leading the charge? Over the course of Graham’s long run on the BBC, there have certainly been duds on the couch. Guests who were just not committed to the bit. But for those who are eager to play in the sandbox of this unique chat show, that’s when moments are made. That’s what the queens were tested on. With Drag Race becoming a mainstream phenomenon, the likelihood that the queens will be booked for a chat show in the future is high. This was a test that most celebrities may never get the opportunity to have. And to have one of the greatest hosts as their guide? They’re pretty lucky.
Whether it’s the American series or any of the international seasons in the franchise, the ability to reference pop culture is inherent in the art form. It’s always done for a purpose. When Drag Race parodies something, it means that the source material has meaning and weight. The Graham Norton Show certainly is that in the late-night comedy world in the UK. Alan Carr may be a bit bummed out that his former show, Chatty Man, was reduced to a parody called “Catty Man” during Season 4. I suppose the reverence was just not the same to mock. Nevertheless, this Season 6 challenge was the perfect challenge, illuminating who was ready to become the UK’s Next Drag Superstar. And the fact that Graham Norton himself was able to get involved made it the perfect test for the queens.
