| Revision as of 05:30, 10 January 2025 editAnother Believer (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Event coordinators, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, File movers, Mass message senders, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers637,649 edits →Episode: wordingTag: Visual edit← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 05:30, 10 January 2025 edit undoAnother Believer (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Event coordinators, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, File movers, Mass message senders, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers637,649 edits →Episode: -Tag: Visual edit | ||
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| Fourteen contestants are transported to an undisclosed location where they are joined with several ]. To continue in the competition, the drag performers play a children's game of ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Block |first=Michael |title=''RuPaul's Drag Race'' just won the perfect ''Squid Game'' twist |url=https://collider.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-17-squid-game-cold-open/ |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |magazine=] |publisher=] }}</ref> Replacing its traditional rules, music is played and contenders have to dance across the field, when it stops, they '']''. Any movement detected cause the player to be ] and eliminated. Afterwards, the remaining fourteen contestants who "survived" the first game are allowed to enter the workroom.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Yee |first=Lawrence |title=''RuPaul's Drag Race'' season 17: Watch the first 10 minutes of the ''Squid Game''-themed premiere |url=https://people.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-watch-the-first-10-minutes-of-season-17-exclusive-8768052 |date=January 2, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |magazine=] |publisher=] |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103143206/https://people.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-watch-the-first-10-minutes-of-season-17-exclusive-8768052 |url-status=live }}</ref> The comedic challenge and character roles is a ] of the South Korean dystopian survival series '']'', the second season of which was released a week before the episode aired.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brocklehurst |first=Harrison |title=No way: The new season of ''Drag Race'' is starting with a wild ''Squid Game'' challenge |url=https://thetab.com/2025/01/03/no-way-the-new-season-of-drag-race-is-starting-with-a-wild-squid-game-challenge |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=] }}</ref> | Fourteen contestants are transported to an undisclosed location where they are joined with several ]. To continue in the competition, the drag performers play a children's game of ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Block |first=Michael |title=''RuPaul's Drag Race'' just won the perfect ''Squid Game'' twist |url=https://collider.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-17-squid-game-cold-open/ |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |magazine=] |publisher=] }}</ref> Replacing its traditional rules, music is played and contenders have to dance across the field, when it stops, they '']''. Any movement detected cause the player to be ] and eliminated. Afterwards, the remaining fourteen contestants who "survived" the first game are allowed to enter the workroom.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Yee |first=Lawrence |title=''RuPaul's Drag Race'' season 17: Watch the first 10 minutes of the ''Squid Game''-themed premiere |url=https://people.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-watch-the-first-10-minutes-of-season-17-exclusive-8768052 |date=January 2, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |magazine=] |publisher=] |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103143206/https://people.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-watch-the-first-10-minutes-of-season-17-exclusive-8768052 |url-status=live }}</ref> The comedic challenge and character roles is a ] of the South Korean dystopian survival series '']'', the second season of which was released a week before the episode aired.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brocklehurst |first=Harrison |title=No way: The new season of ''Drag Race'' is starting with a wild ''Squid Game'' challenge |url=https://thetab.com/2025/01/03/no-way-the-new-season-of-drag-race-is-starting-with-a-wild-squid-game-challenge |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=] }}</ref> | ||
| As the contestants meet each other, ] revealed the contenders, without knowing, competed in their first photoshoot mini-challenge. ] is deemed the winner, earning a cash tip of $2,500.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Robledo |first=Jordan |title='I'm living for it': Fans react to ''Drag Race'' season 17's twist-filled premiere episode |url=https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/im-living-for-it-fans-react-to-drag-race-season-17s-twist-filled-premiere-episode/ |date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |magazine=] |archive-date=January 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105043756/https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/im-living-for-it-fans-react-to-drag-race-season-17s-twist-filled-premiere-episode/ |url-status=live }}</ref> RuPaul announces the first main challenge, tasking contestants with forming two groups to participate in a ] spanning two episodes. The next day, the contestants prepare and American singer ] enters the workroom requesting ]; the singer immediately recognizes ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Osei-Tutu |first=Demetria |title=Katy Perry meets old fan on ''RuPaul's Drag Race'', leaving viewers 'gagged' |url=https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/katy-perry-meets-old-fan-889928 |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |newspaper=] |publisher=] |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104032754/https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/katy-perry-meets-old-fan-889928 |url-status=live }}</ref> Perry offers |
As the contestants meet each other, ] revealed the contenders, without knowing, competed in their first photoshoot mini-challenge. ] is deemed the winner, earning a cash tip of $2,500.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Robledo |first=Jordan |title='I'm living for it': Fans react to ''Drag Race'' season 17's twist-filled premiere episode |url=https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/im-living-for-it-fans-react-to-drag-race-season-17s-twist-filled-premiere-episode/ |date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |magazine=] |archive-date=January 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105043756/https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/im-living-for-it-fans-react-to-drag-race-season-17s-twist-filled-premiere-episode/ |url-status=live }}</ref> RuPaul announces the first main challenge, tasking contestants with forming two groups to participate in a ] spanning two episodes. The next day, the contestants prepare and American singer ] enters the workroom requesting ]; the singer immediately recognizes ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Osei-Tutu |first=Demetria |title=Katy Perry meets old fan on ''RuPaul's Drag Race'', leaving viewers 'gagged' |url=https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/katy-perry-meets-old-fan-889928 |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |newspaper=] |publisher=] |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104032754/https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/katy-perry-meets-old-fan-889928 |url-status=live }}</ref> Perry offers advice for success.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Mier |first=Tomás |title=Watch Katy Perry surprise the ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' queens in season 17 premiere |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/katy-perry-rupauls-drag-race-queens-premiere-1235225232/ |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |magazine=] |publisher=] |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104035059/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/katy-perry-rupauls-drag-race-queens-premiere-1235225232/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
| RuPaul introduces Katy Perry as the guest judge, alongside regular panelist ] and alternating judge ]. The runway category "Masc for Masked Singer" requires the contestants to present their ]-themed looks. During the talent show, Acacia Forgot sang live and played guitar. Arrietty performs a cultural dance of '']''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Villa |first=Lucas |title=The Latina queens on ''Drag Race'' season 17 proudly represented their roots in season premiere |url=https://remezcla.com/film/latina-queens-drag-race-season-17-season-premiere/ |date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=] |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104230826/https://remezcla.com/film/latina-queens-drag-race-season-17-season-premiere/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jewels Sparkles shows an original lip-sync about ], Joella performs an original lip-sync that referred to her drag name, and Lucky Starzzz lip-syncs to a song about making ]. Lydia B Kollins presents a ]-comedy routine, and Suzie Toot recites the "]" speech (1863) in ] via ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Benutty |first=Joey |title=''RuPaul’s Drag Race 17'' group one power rankings from best (Suzie Toot) to worst (Joella) |url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2025/rupauls-drag-race-17-group-one-power-rankings-suzie-toot-joella/ |date=January 7, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=Gold Derby |publisher=] }}</ref> | RuPaul introduces Katy Perry as the guest judge, alongside regular panelist ] and alternating judge ]. The runway category "Masc for Masked Singer" requires the contestants to present their ]-themed looks. During the talent show, Acacia Forgot sang live and played guitar. Arrietty performs a cultural dance of '']''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Villa |first=Lucas |title=The Latina queens on ''Drag Race'' season 17 proudly represented their roots in season premiere |url=https://remezcla.com/film/latina-queens-drag-race-season-17-season-premiere/ |date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=] |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104230826/https://remezcla.com/film/latina-queens-drag-race-season-17-season-premiere/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jewels Sparkles shows an original lip-sync about ], Joella performs an original lip-sync that referred to her drag name, and Lucky Starzzz lip-syncs to a song about making ]. Lydia B Kollins presents a ]-comedy routine, and Suzie Toot recites the "]" speech (1863) in ] via ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Benutty |first=Joey |title=''RuPaul’s Drag Race 17'' group one power rankings from best (Suzie Toot) to worst (Joella) |url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2025/rupauls-drag-race-17-group-one-power-rankings-suzie-toot-joella/ |date=January 7, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=Gold Derby |publisher=] }}</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 05:30, 10 January 2025
1st episode of the 17th season of RuPaul's Drag Race
| "Squirrel Games" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| RuPaul's Drag Race episode | |||
| Episode no. | Season 17 Episode 1 | ||
| Directed by | Nick Murray | ||
| Presented by | RuPaul | ||
| Featured music | Woman's World by Katy Perry | ||
| Original air date | January 3, 2025 (2025-01-03) | ||
| Guest appearances | |||
| Episode chronology | |||
| |||
| RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 | |||
| List of episodes | |||
"Squirrel Games" is the seventeenth season premiere of the American reality competition television series RuPaul's Drag Race, and the 224th episode overall. The episode first aired in the United States through cable network MTV on January 3, 2025. It was followed by an episode of the companion series RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked.
The episode has the selected contestants participate in a talent show; the other unselected contestants are given the chance to rank their competitors. Katy Perry serves as a guest judge, alongside regular panelists RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Carson Kressley. Suzie Toot wins the main challenge, after placing in the top two and winning a lip-sync contest against Jewels Sparkles to "Woman's World" (2024) by Katy Perry.
Episode
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Fourteen contestants are transported to an undisclosed location where they are joined with several previous competitors from the franchise. To continue in the competition, the drag performers play a children's game of Red Light, Green Light. Replacing its traditional rules, music is played and contenders have to dance across the field, when it stops, they strike a pose. Any movement detected cause the player to be pied in the face and eliminated. Afterwards, the remaining fourteen contestants who "survived" the first game are allowed to enter the workroom. The comedic challenge and character roles is a parody of the South Korean dystopian survival series Squid Game, the second season of which was released a week before the episode aired.
As the contestants meet each other, RuPaul revealed the contenders, without knowing, competed in their first photoshoot mini-challenge. Lana Ja'Rae is deemed the winner, earning a cash tip of $2,500. RuPaul announces the first main challenge, tasking contestants with forming two groups to participate in a talent show spanning two episodes. The next day, the contestants prepare and American singer Katy Perry enters the workroom requesting tucking tape; the singer immediately recognizes Joella. Perry offers advice for success.
RuPaul introduces Katy Perry as the guest judge, alongside regular panelist Michelle Visage and alternating judge Carson Kressley. The runway category "Masc for Masked Singer" requires the contestants to present their mask-themed looks. During the talent show, Acacia Forgot sang live and played guitar. Arrietty performs a cultural dance of baile folklórico. Jewels Sparkles shows an original lip-sync about milk, Joella performs an original lip-sync that referred to her drag name, and Lucky Starzzz lip-syncs to a song about making lemonade. Lydia B Kollins presents a burlesque-comedy routine, and Suzie Toot recites the "Gettysburg Address" speech (1863) in morse code via tap dancing.
RuPaul revealed that Acacia Forgot was placed last in the ranking and will be lip-syncing next week. Jewels Sparkles and Suzie Toot are ranked as the top two contestants for the week and face off in a lip-sync contest to Perry's "Woman's World" (2024). Suzie Toot wins the lip-sync contest and earns herself a cash prize of $5,000.
Production
Earlier in the episode, various cameo appearances were made from past contestants such as Angeria Paris VanMichaels, Aura Mayari, Jaymes Mansfield, Kerri Colby, Kylie Sonique Love, Mayhem Miller, Morgan McMichaels, Trinity the Tuck, and lastly Victoria "Porkchop" Parker.
Fashion
For the runway, Acacia Forgot wears a snowman outfit. Joella has an outer space-inspired outfit. Jewels Sparkles showcases an Ariana Grande-inspired blue dress and she carries a hand fan. Arrietty presents a white dress. Lucky Starzzz has a pizza box and wears a pizza-inspired outfit. Suzie Toot has a coin headpiece. Kori King wears a raven-inspired black outfit. Hormona Lisa shows an outfit resembling a skunk. Crystal Envy's outfit is inspired by a porcelain doll. Lexi Love resembles the MTV moon person. Lana Ja'Rae's outfit looks like a cat. Onya Nurve's outfit includes beauty supplies. Sam Star wears an outfit that looks like a rain cloud, which she removes to reveal colorful hair.
Viewership
"Squirrel Games" was originally broadcast through MTV in the United States on January 3, 2025. The episode earned an audience measurement of 0.24 rating and seen by close to 671,000 viewers. The episode was later released in Canada through streaming service Crave, in Australia through Stan, and internationally on WOW Presents Plus with next-day availability starting on January 4.
Reception
In a four-star review, Jason Frank of Vulture laughed when previous contenders being "pelted by pies" from the spoof challenge. During the talent show was filled with "forgettable performances" and contrasted the three finalists from its previous season premiere "stole control of the camera's eye" within seconds. Frank described the guest judge as "excruciating" and named the selected lip-sync song being "actively bad to the point of camp" gave an opportunity for Suzie Toot to win the lip-sync contest against Jewels Sparkles.
See also
References
- Block, Michael (January 3, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race just won the perfect Squid Game twist". Collider. Valnet. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- Yee, Lawrence (January 2, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 17: Watch the first 10 minutes of the Squid Game-themed premiere". People. Dotdash Meredith. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- Brocklehurst, Harrison (January 3, 2025). "No way: The new season of Drag Race is starting with a wild Squid Game challenge". The Tab. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- Robledo, Jordan (January 4, 2025). "'I'm living for it': Fans react to Drag Race season 17's twist-filled premiere episode". Gay Times. Archived from the original on January 5, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- Osei-Tutu, Demetria (January 3, 2025). "Katy Perry meets old fan on RuPaul's Drag Race, leaving viewers 'gagged'". The Mirror US. Reach plc. Archived from the original on January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- Mier, Tomás (January 3, 2025). "Watch Katy Perry surprise the RuPaul's Drag Race queens in season 17 premiere". Rolling Stone. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- Villa, Lucas (January 4, 2025). "The Latina queens on Drag Race season 17 proudly represented their roots in season premiere". Remezcla. Archived from the original on January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- Benutty, Joey (January 7, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race 17 group one power rankings from best (Suzie Toot) to worst (Joella)". Gold Derby. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- Huff, Matthew (January 3, 2025). "Sashay away! Who was eliminated in the RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 premiere?". Parade. Parade Media. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- Wratten, Marcus (January 3, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 gags fans with wild Squid Game challenge". PinkNews. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- O'Keeffe, Kevin (January 6, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 17, episode 1 power ranking: The first seven queens". Xtra Magazine. Pink Triangle Press. Archived from the original on January 7, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- O'Keeffe, Kevin (January 6, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 premiere recap: Hey Squirrel (Games) friend!". Xtra Magazine. Pink Triangle Press. Archived from the original on January 7, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- Swift, Andy (January 3, 2025). "Drag Race mashes Squid Game with America's Got Talent in nightmare-inducing season 17 premiere". TVLine. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- DeLellis, Trae (January 3, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race review: Here's what happened on the season 17 premiere". Miami New Times. Voice Media Group. Archived from the original on January 5, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- Pucci, Douglas (January 6, 2025). "Friday Ratings: RuPaul's Drag Race on MTV premieres its 17th season". Programming Insider. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- Wardley, Tom (January 3, 2025). "How to watch RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 online and from anywhere". Tom's Guide. Future plc. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- Frank, Jason P. (January 3, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race season-premiere recap: It's a Suzie's world". Vulture. Vox Media. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
External links
| Squid Game | ||
|---|---|---|
| Official media |  | |
| Cast | ||
| Related | ||
