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Season 1 – RuPaul's Drag Race

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – RuPaul's Drag Race Feb 2009 Reality Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
"RuPaul's Drag Race" is a reality show in which a group of talented drag queens compete in challenges to impress host RuPaul, the world's most famous drag queen, to win a cash prize along with a crown and the title of America's Next Drag Superstar. Each episode consists of a main challenge, usually some form of performance or fashion design -- sometimes both. The queens then participate in a themed runway show, where one is declared the winner of that week, while two others are announced to be up for elimination. The bottom two must then compete to stay on the show with a lip-sync for their lives.
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RuPaul's Drag Race — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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David Hinckley New York Daily News 06/03/2025
3/5
For those who do appreciate this style of entertainment, though, good news: It's just as much fun, and sometimes just as bitchy, as you would expect and hope. Go to Full Review Thomas Rogers Salon.com 06/03/2025
"Drag Race" aims for high camp, but, unfortunately, with the show's low production values and sloppy execution, it lands somewhere closer to pathos. Go to Full Review Robert Lloyd Los Angeles Times 06/03/2025
For all its crazy flamboyance, the big hair, the extreme makeup, the outrageous characters, the taping and tucking and stuffing and gluing, the cartwheels and the juggling -- yes, there is juggling -- this is an art whose true subject is dignity. Go to Full Review Tamara Gorzalka Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta) 06/03/2025
This reality show, in which RuPaul is searching for an heir to her throne, is amazing -- it's the best thing happening in gender variant visibility. Go to Full Review Victoria Brownworth Philadelphia Gay News 05/27/2020
Certainly Drag Race is over the top and trés gay and a lot of fun. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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04/18/2021 A tad boring compared to the newer seasons. I'm sure back in that era it was considered good. See more 05/12/2019 Even if the image quality is the worst, is important to remember the bold act to present a reality show full of "LGBTness" in the television. See more 11/04/2018 Uma primeira temporada muito boa, com desafios engraçados e interessantes. A única falha enorme na série é a pouca qualidade na gravação... See more Read all reviews
RuPaul's Drag Race — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Santino Rice

Judge

Merle Ginsberg

Judge

Bob Mackie

Judge

Debra Wilson

Judge

Jenny Shimizu

Judge

Michelle Williams

Judge

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Feb 2, 2009 Drag on a Dime The contestants must reinvent their looks using thrift-store clothing and trinkets from the dollar store; guest judge Bob Mackie helps weed out the least-stylish drag queen. Details Episode 2 Aired Feb 9, 2009 Girl Group Challenge The contestants split into two rival musical groups, trying to impress RuPaul and guest judge Michelle Williams with their lip-synching skills. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 16, 2009 Queens of All Media The contestants' tasks include being a newscaster, product spokesperson and talk-show host to RuPaul and guest judge Debra Wilson. Details Episode 4 Aired Feb 23, 2009 Mac-Viva Glam Challenge The contestants make screen tests for a cosmetics company; model Jenny Shimizu helps judge the contestants' drag-queen status. Details Episode 5 Aired Mar 2, 2009 Drag School of Charm The contestants transform a group of female extreme fighters into their drag daughters. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 9, 2009 Absolut Drag Ball The contestants hit the dance floor at a drag ball. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 16, 2009 Extra Special Edition Looking back on the highlights, lowlights and previously unseen footage from the first six episodes ahead of the climactic grand finale. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 23, 2009 Grand Finale The final three face their last challenge while shooting a music video; artist Cazwell helps cast the vote. Details Episode 9 Aired Mar 23, 2009 Re-United! The contestants reunite to discuss what has happened since the competition ended. Details

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RuPaul's Drag Race — Season 1

RuPaul's Drag Race View more photos

Season Info

Director
Ian Stevenson
Network
MTV
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Reality
Original Language
English
Release Date
Feb 2, 2009