Know Your Herstory References on RuPauls Drag Race

RuPaul's Drag Race is a brilliantly crafted show that references multiple aspects of queer and popular culture. Challenges frequently parody other reality-television shows, queens quote dialogue from gay classic films, etc. In order to appreciate the genius of RuPaul's Drag Race, this site is dedicated to identifying as many of the references as possible. Because knowing your gay herstory is sickening!      

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Season Four, Episode Five “Beat the Cock” mini-challenge

Appearance: Mini-challenge that featured queens competing in four separate dexterity challenges:“Cock-a-doodle-Ru,” during which contestants were blindfolded and had to pin a chicken cutout onto a poster of RuPaul’s face; “Pluck-a-Duck,” during which contestants had to get a feather across the room by blowing it into the air; “Choke the Rooster,” during which contestants had to toss rings onto a fake rooster; and “Lay an Egg,” during which contestants had to hold eggs between their legs and carry them across the room to a basket

Reference: Pun on the game show “Beat the Clock,” which required contestants to perform tasks within a time limit

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Seasons Two-Seven, Snatch Game

Episodes: Snatch Game, Seasons 2-7

Appearance: Main challenge during which queens dress as celebrities and answer questions posed by guest celebrities

Reference: Parody of the U.S. panel game show “Match Game,” in which contestants tried to match celebrities’ answers to fill-in-the-blank questions. 

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Season Four, Episode One, "RuPocalypse Now!" mini-challenge

Episode: Season Four, Episode One, "RuPocalypse Now!" Appearance: The Totally Toxic mini-challenge where queens have to pose while rotating and being sprayed by paint Reference: The mini-challenge is modeled after Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 1999 fashion show No 13, where model Shalom Harlow rotates on a turntable wearing a white dress and being spray-painted