I feel like we’ve had similar workshop-style rehearsal segments in previous seasons’ comedy challenges. I’d have to research some, but I’m seeming to remember Kathy Griffin, Deven Green, Bruce Vilanch performing similar mentorship and coaching duties in seasons past?

It’s extra-smart for embedding a small character moment in the visual majesty of that whole mourning-brella lewk.

This is the best produced season in years, possibly ever.

I find this wholly and fundamentally correct.

Quite the contrary - I see Valentina as being 210% self-aware. Just not in a way that actually resembles how other people see her.

My usual weekly dumbass Random ‘pinions:

I certainly won’t begrudge you that position, in the least. I find the legacy-plead, for all its admitted faults, offers us a window into the queens’ professional and personal relationships with each other than the standard workroom kiki is able to provide.

I find the legacy format speaks to a certain egalitarian, democratic dimension to the queens’ relationships in the interregnum between their first appearances, and All Stars. Out in the real world, the working and personal relationships these queens are the more significant arbiter of success and career…

It’s started to make me think that I’d not previously considered the framework of the challenges to have their own momentum to the arc of the season.

these have all been magnificent ways to showcase every facet of the All Stars on a level we haven’t seen the showrunners pull off in a good while.

She was lip syncing well but her vibe was just so regal and some of her movements bordered on “pointer sister.”

Random ‘pinions:

I was kind of getting that impression from a lot of the runway tonight?

I’m in agreement that Babs isn’t probably going to enter the pantheon of all-time great Snatch Games, and shone largely by contrast to shitshow surrounding her. But bondage bunny stood out, again - in no small part because of contrast to the mediocrity on display.

Part of what’s making AS4 Valentina infinitely more charming than season 9 Valentina being that she seems to be far less apologetic that her That Actress Friend inauthenticity really is her most genuine self, if that paradox makes any sense?

I personally love Gia’s shit-stirring and will miss it because it seems so authentic coming from her.

We’ve not yet talked about her daily entrance mugging.

Late Random ‘pinions again; holiday charity gala thingamabobber this time:

See, now this is the stuff of homogay legend.

During our viewing, I’d had it pinned to - if Farrah was the only one struggling, that’s definitely on her. If Monet and Naomi also had issues, that points the blame directly at Monique’s leadership.