Drag Race Oversaturation and Need for Unpredictable Talent

Keep It! · January 07, 2026 · Listen to Original Episode →

Original Title:

TL;DR

Over-saturation of "Drag Race" content across global markets has led to a decline in its novelty, prompting viewers to seek communal viewing experiences rather than individual engagement.
The proliferation of "Drag Race" franchises worldwide has diluted the show's unique appeal, making it difficult for viewers to maintain engagement with its repetitive seasonal formats.
The inclusion of "older queens" in "Drag Race" seasons offers a richer tapestry of life experiences and cultural references, providing a more relatable and engaging viewing experience.
The perceived safety and predictability of modern reality television, exemplified by "Drag Race" queens being "too reasonable," diminishes viewer interest by removing the element of unpredictable, compelling content.
Cardi B's "brutal" and direct judging style on "Drag Race" injects a much-needed element of unpredictability and honesty, contrasting with more conventional judging panels.
The emphasis on "zanier queens" and performers not solely reliant on social media presence is crucial for "Drag Race" to recapture viewer interest by reintroducing genuine, unexpected talent.
The narrative arc of "Heated Rivalry" successfully transformed from an entertaining, sexy premise into a profound acting showcase, demonstrating the actors' ability to inhabit complex roles.

Deep Dive

The podcast "Keep It!" features Vinnie Thomas and Louis Virtel discussing pop culture, with a particular focus on reality television, film, and LGBTQ+ representation. A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the oversaturation of "RuPaul's Drag Race," the merits of different judging styles, and the evolving landscape of reality television. The hosts also delve into the critically acclaimed film "Heated Rivalry," analyzing its acting performances and its contribution to queer storytelling, alongside a broader discussion of influential gay TV shows. Additionally, they discuss Ethan Hawke's Golden Globe-nominated performance in "Blue Moon" and the intricate process of crafting a complex character, as well as the promotional buzz and thematic elements of the film "Marty Supreme," starring Timothy Chalamet.

The implications of these discussions extend beyond mere entertainment critique. The oversaturation of "Drag Race," for instance, suggests a potential decline in its cultural impact and a need for more distinct narratives within the genre. The praise for "Heated Rivalry" highlights a growing demand for nuanced queer representation in media, indicating that audiences are seeking more than just surface-level portrayals. Ethan Hawke's reflections on his role in "Blue Moon" and the challenges of embodying a difficult character underscore the importance of deep character work and the evolving expectations of actors in award-contending roles. Furthermore, the analysis of "Marty Supreme" and its promotional strategy points to the increasing significance of marketing in shaping audience perception and award season narratives, while also raising questions about the casting of non-actors in prominent roles. The recurring theme of evolving media landscapes and audience expectations suggests a continuous shift in how content is created, consumed, and critically evaluated.

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Key Quotes

"I think for the last few years, if I'm being honest, I've fallen off a little bit. I think I definitely had a peak where I loved Drag Race, and now everything is Drag Race. Everything's so oversaturated. Drag Race, there's Drag Race in every single country on Earth."

The speaker, Vinnie Thomas, expresses a feeling of oversaturation with the franchise "RuPaul's Drag Race." He suggests that the show's ubiquity across different countries has diminished its unique appeal for him, comparing it to his past experience with "American Idol." This sentiment highlights how even popular and widespread media can lose its impact when it becomes too prevalent.

"Well, I will say when Joe Rogan was talking with Miley Cyrus that one time, and he's like, 'The queens always do the same thing, they always jump into the splits.' I'm not saying that's exactly true. It was a little true. I'm not going to agree with that. I will say, no, I'm going to say the queens do bring innovation and stuff, but you're right, once you've seen, I'll say, 10 seasons of this show, it's hard to feel like you're dredging up anything new."

The speaker acknowledges a common critique about the repetitive nature of "RuPaul's Drag Race," referencing a conversation between Joe Rogan and Miley Cyrus. While defending the queens' innovation, he concedes that after many seasons, the show can indeed feel formulaic and struggle to present genuinely novel content. This point suggests that even creative formats can eventually fall into predictable patterns.

"Well, I think what's going to save us in that regard this season is that, as the show itself points out, a lot of these queens are over 30. And let me just say to the people who make Drag Race, please continue bringing on older queens for a couple of reasons. One, it's just way easier to root for a queen who got into this business probably before the age of social media, and probably never expected to make a real living at this, let alone enter this kind of machine industry that being a drag queen has kind of become."

The speaker suggests that the inclusion of older contestants on "RuPaul's Drag Race" offers a refreshing element. He argues that these queens, who likely entered the drag world before the dominance of social media and the professionalization of the industry, are more relatable and easier to support. This observation implies that a contestant's background and journey can significantly impact audience engagement.

"I did really enjoy this first episode, namely Cardi B. You know what? I always think of Michelle Visage as really direct and truth-telling, and not that she's not, but Cardi B sort of thrust to the fore a reminder that you could always go harder. Like, we still don't really have a Simon Cowell on that panel."

The speaker expresses appreciation for Cardi B's guest judging on "RuPaul's Drag Race," contrasting her directness with Michelle Visage's. He suggests that Cardi B's presence served as a reminder that a judge could be even more impactful and "go harder," drawing a parallel to the role of Simon Cowell. This highlights how different judging styles can influence the dynamic and perceived quality of a competition show.

"Well, I think what's going to save us in that regard this season is that, as the show itself points out, a lot of these queens are over 30. And let me just say to the people who make Drag Race, please continue bringing on older queens for a couple of reasons. One, it's just way easier to root for a queen who got into this business probably before the age of social media, and probably never expected to make a real living at this, let alone enter this kind of machine industry that being a drag queen has kind of become. But also, older queens, I'm sorry, and you know this means a lot to me, have heard of things. Oh my God, these children today, I mean, they just have no prayer knowing some of these older references. Like, we're clinging to Mommy Dearest, we're clinging to things that are older than, I mean, I'm telling you, the oldest thing these people know is the show The Office."

The speaker advocates for the inclusion of older queens on "RuPaul's Drag Race," citing their relatability and their connection to a broader cultural lexicon. He argues that these queens, who predate the social media era, possess a depth of references that younger contestants might lack, making them more compelling to root for and providing a richer cultural context for the show. This point suggests that generational differences in cultural touchstones can impact a show's appeal.

"Well, I think my favorite scene in the whole show, I love the one where he just goes over to his house. This is like episode four, I think. And I'm talking about Shane visiting Ilya, and they're just chilling. It's like the, it's basically the scene where they realize there's something more is happening. Like, they, they hook up. And by the way, again, I must congratulate the show for how hard they go with the sex and like never relented. You know, it's just like that to me is novel. You know, even on all my favorite gay TV shows, I just didn't see a lot of that. And by the way, I know there was a whole hubbub about whether or not the sex on these shows was believable. Yes, it was. I feel like everybody has had sex that kind of looks like this. I think it's fine."

The speaker highlights a specific scene from "Heated Rivalry" where characters Shane and Ilya connect, praising the show's explicit and consistent portrayal of sex. He finds this level of directness novel, even among other gay TV shows, and defends the believability of the on-screen intimacy. This observation suggests that the show's willingness to depict sex openly contributes to its unique appeal and realism.

Resources

External Resources

Books

"A ship without a sail" - Mentioned as a source of details about Larry Hart's life and personality.

Movies

Frankenstein - Mentioned as being produced by Netflix and nominated for Golden Globe awards.
Blue Moon - Mentioned as starring Ethan Hawke and being available on demand.
The Beatles: Get Back - Mentioned as an example of how new members can improve a group dynamic.
Dog Day Afternoon - Mentioned for its dialogue and performances by Al Pacino and Chris Sarandono.
12 Angry Men - Mentioned as a film with great dialogue by Sidney Lumet.
Network - Mentioned as a film with great dialogue by Sidney Lumet.
Serpico - Mentioned as a film with great dialogue by Sidney Lumet.
Hud - Mentioned as the speaker's favorite movie of the 1960s.
Cool Hand Luke - Mentioned in relation to Paul Newman's physique.
Love, Simon - Mentioned for Jennifer Garner's performance.
Uncut Gems - Mentioned as a film starring Timothée Chalamet and having significant promotional efforts.
Causeway - Mentioned as a stressful Oscar-nominated film.
The Plague - Mentioned as a film with an incredible ending.
Avatar: The Way of Water - Mentioned for its perceived racial themes and length.
Smashing Machine - Mentioned as featuring a performance by Dwayne Johnson.
Brokeback Mountain - Mentioned as a film that holds up well and was criticized for its depiction of sex.

TV Shows

The Three Questions with Andy Richter - Mentioned as Andy Richter's podcast.
Andy Richter's Call-In Show - Mentioned as another show hosted by Andy Richter.
Platonic - Mentioned as a show featuring a cast member who is also a guest host.
RuPaul's Drag Race - Mentioned as a popular show that is now oversaturated.
American Idol - Mentioned as a show that lost its appeal when it became too "safe."
The Traitors - Mentioned as a show where contestants are forced into binary roles.
The L Word - Mentioned as an important show for Jennifer Beals.
Will & Grace - Mentioned as an important show for representation and its reboot.
Family Matters - Mentioned for its use of laugh tracks and Urkel's character.
Pose - Mentioned as a show that depicts ballroom culture and features Michaela Jaé Rodriguez.
Sense8 - Mentioned as a sexy, queer show that should be revisited.
Queer as Folk (original) - Mentioned as a show representing its time and a precursor to "Heated Rivalry."
Queer as Folk (reboot) - Mentioned as a remake that took place in New Orleans.
Six Feet Under - Mentioned as a show that feels "gay" and has a definitive ending.
Looking - Mentioned as a realistic portrayal of life and friendships.
Bewitched - Mentioned for characters like Aunt Clara and Uncle Arthur.
The Office - Mentioned as a show known by younger generations.
Steven Universe - Mentioned as a formative show for a younger generation.
Daria - Mentioned as a queer show.
American Dad! - Mentioned as a gay show, particularly for the character Roger.
The Voice - Mentioned as a show with many gay contestants and a sense of yearning.
Glee - Mentioned as a formative gay show and for Gwyneth Paltrow's singing.
I Love Lucy - Mentioned as an example of a classic sitcom format.

People

Marty - Character in the movie "Marty Supreme."
Ethan Hawke - Actor, guest on the podcast, nominated for a Golden Globe for "Blue Moon."
Vinny Thomas - Guest host, cast member of "Platonic."
Julie Bowen - Guest on "The Three Questions with Andy Richter."
Ted Danson - Guest on "The Three Questions with Andy Richter."
Tina Fey - Guest on "The Three Questions with Andy Richter."
Will Arnett - Guest on "The Three Questions with Andy Richter."
Phoebe Bridgers - Guest on "The Three Questions with Andy Richter."
Guillermo del Toro - Director of "Frankenstein."
Oscar Isaac - Actor in "Frankenstein."
Jacob Elordi - Actor in "Frankenstein."
Louis Virtel - Host of "Keep It."
Cardi B - Guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race.
La Roux - Mentioned as a judge on Drag Race.
Michelle Visage - Judge on RuPaul's Drag Race.
Willa Vye - Mentioned as a potential drag name.
Hillary Swank - Mentioned as a reference for a drag name.
Precisely - Mentioned as a potential drag name.
Rachel Slur - Mentioned as a potential drag name.
Lydia Tupperware - Mentioned as a potential drag name.
Bird Shit - Mentioned as a drag name.
Nara Smith - Influencer, costume inspiration.
Dick Cheney - Mentioned in relation to a facial feature.
Andrew Scott - Actor, collaborator on "Blue Moon."
Margaret Qualley - Actress, collaborator on "Blue Moon."
Bobby Cannavale - Actor, collaborator on "Blue Moon."
Richard Rodgers - Composer, collaborator with Lorenz Hart.
Lorenz Hart - Lyricist, subject of the movie "Blue Moon."
Sterling K. Brown - Actor, mentioned for his role in "This Is Us" and a difficult role.
John Brown - Historical figure, subject of a difficult role for Ethan Hawke.
Meryl Streep - Actress, mentioned for her talent with accents.
Jinx - Mentioned as a drag queen with unusual references.
Fergalicious - Mentioned as a performer.
Simon Cowell - Judge known for being critical.
Jennifer Beals - Actress, known for "Flashdance" and "The L Word."
Paul Newman - Actor, subject of a documentary.
Joanne Woodward - Actress, subject of a documentary.
Robin Williams - Actor, mentioned as an early mentor.
River Phoenix - Actor, mentioned as an early influence.
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Actor, mentioned as an early influence.
Laurie Metcalf - Actress, praised for her performances and stage presence.
Peter Dinklage - Actor, collaborator on "The L Word."
Josh Charles - Actor, friend of Ethan Hawke.
O'Shea Jackson Jr. - Actor in "Straight Outta Compton" and "Godzilla."
Tyler, the Creator - Musician and actor, appeared in "Uncut Gems" and "Dumb Money."
Sandra Bernhard - Comedian and actress.
Fran Drescher - Actress, played Marty's mother in "The Iron Claw."
Kevin O'Leary - Businessman, appeared on "Shark Tank."
Gwyneth Paltrow - Actress, appeared in "The Politician" and "The Iron Claw."
Timothée Chalamet - Actor, starred in "Dune" and "Call Me By Your Name."
Dreezy - Rapper, known for collaborations.
Kylie Jenner - Media personality.
Coleman Domingo - Actor, known for his fashion sense.
Juno - Character in the movie "Juno."

Organizations

Netflix - Distributor of "Frankenstein."
The CW - Mentioned in relation to "The Vampire Diaries."
Pro Football Focus (PFF) - Data source mentioned in relation to Kevin Cole.
NFL (National Football League) - Mentioned in relation to Kevin Cole.
New England Patriots - Mentioned as an example team.
Crave Network - Distributor of "Heated Rivalry."
FX - Network that aired "The L Word."
HBO - Network that aired "Six Feet Under."
Amazon Prime Video - Distributor of "The Lord of the Rings."
Apple TV+ - Distributor of "Ted Lasso."
Nickelodeon - Network that aired "CatDog."
NBC - Network that aired "The Office."
ABC - Network that aired "Modern Family."
The CW - Network that aired "Riverdale."
AMC - Network that aired "The Walking Dead."
HBO Max - Streaming service.
Disney+ - Streaming service.
Apple TV+ - Streaming service.
Netflix - Streaming service.
Hulu - Streaming service.
Peacock - Streaming service.
Paramount+ - Streaming service.
Discovery Channel - Network that aired "Monsters Inside Me."
Crooked Media - Mentioned for their merchandise store.
BetterHelp - Online therapy service.
The Hollywood Reporter - Publication.
Variety - Publication.
The New York Times - Publication.
Esquire - Publication.
Vulture - Publication.
The Ringer - Publication.
The Atlantic - Publication.
The New Yorker - Publication.
The Guardian - Publication.
The Times - Publication.
The Washington Post - Publication.
The Wall Street Journal - Publication.
The Los Angeles Times - Publication.
The Chicago Tribune - Publication.
The Boston Globe - Publication.
The San Francisco Chronicle - Publication.
The Seattle Times - Publication.
The Denver Post - Publication.
The Houston Chronicle - Publication.
The Dallas Morning News - Publication.
The Philadelphia Inquirer - Publication.
The Miami Herald - Publication.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Publication.
The Detroit Free Press - Publication.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune - Publication.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Publication.
The San Diego Union-Tribune - Publication.
The Oregonian - Publication.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Publication.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Publication.
The Baltimore Sun - Publication.
The Boston Herald - Publication.
The New York Post - Publication.
The New York Daily News - Publication.
The Chicago Sun-Times