RuPaul's Drag Race Recap

In the penultimate episode of The Rumor Mill, Joe and Nathan dive headfirst into one of the season’s most unexpected storylines: when the host himself becomes the news. What starts as a recap of a listener’s feedback spirals into a candid discussion about paraphrasing, cultural nuance, and the perils of being quoted back to yourself. The conversation covers: A fair-and-balanced “news report” about Joe’s back-and-forth with a listener from Berlin. Audio receipts, transcripts, and the hazards of context (or the lack thereof). The return of familiar voices on the voicemail line—including a Scottish tongue-twister, Brendan’s zombie cameo, and a passionate plea for the comeback of Mr. Blackstone. Tom from Ireland pitches a brand-new Afterthought Media spinoff idea, sparking a debate about psychology, drag queens, and how deep is too deep. With just one week left before the finale, Joe and Nathan reflect on spats with listeners, conspiracies involving Blackstone, and whether Stefan himself might be orchestrating it all from behind the scenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Syys 58min

In this episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Recap, Joe and Nathan discuss Season 17 Episode 8, titled 'The Wicked Wiz of Oz: the Ruzical.' They delve into the performances of the contestants during the lip sync battle, the dynamics of the musical challenge, and the reactions of the queens post-elimination. The conversation highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the performances, the relationships between contestants, and the overall impact of the episode's themes. In this conversation, Joe and Nathan delve into various themes surrounding a reality TV show, focusing on political commentary, contestant dynamics, and performance critiques. They discuss the implications of personal opinions on political figures, the appearance and behavior of contestants, and the challenges faced during performances. The conversation also touches on the emotional struggles of contestants and the competitive nature of the show, highlighting the complexities of character interactions and the impact of personal histories on performance. In this episode of Drag Race Recap, hosts Joe and Nathan dive into the rusical challenge, analyzing the performances of various contestants and their interpretations of iconic characters from The Wizard of Oz. They discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each performance, the dynamics of the roles assigned, and the overall impact of the musical numbers. The conversation shifts to the runway category of parasols and shady ladies, where they critique the looks presented by the contestants and the commentary provided by guest judge Helen Schaefer-Gray. The episode concludes with reflections on the lip sync battle and the overall performance of the contestants, highlighting the winners and those in the bottom two. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

25 Syys 1h 17min

This week on The Rumor Mill, Joe and Nathan are left to fend for themselves with no voicemails and no real drag news to report—so naturally, chaos ensues. Joe unveils his brand-new “Sad Rumor Mill” theme song (AI lyrics included), while Nathan pretends not to be emotionally scarred by a listener email dredging up that infamous Wigloose rant. The two spiral into everything from tinnitus hacks to Starbucks prank videos before landing on a top five “least favorite queens” list that’s equal parts petty and cathartic. Joe even breaks out his mixer to attempt a Queen Kong impression, with… mixed results. Later, Joe comes clean about some rough outtakes from Slaysian Royale, playing clips of himself being a total diva toward poor Evan Markson. Will Evan quit the network? Justice for Evan! It’s a short-turned-long episode that proves what happens when you don’t send in your voicemails—Joe and Nathan go rogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 Syys 28min

In this episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Recap, hosts Joe and Nathan delve into Season 17, Episode 7, titled 'Snatch Game.' They discuss the dynamics of the episode, including the lip sync battle, contestant performances, and the judging process. The conversation highlights the importance of making great television and the challenges contestants face in balancing their performances with the expectations of the show. The hosts also provide insights and advice for future contestants, emphasizing the need for authenticity and charisma on screen. In this segment, the conversation delves into various aspects of the Drag Race episode, focusing on the performances of contestants, their awareness of the cameras, and the dynamics of the Snatch Game. The hosts critique the characters chosen by the queens, the humor (or lack thereof) in their performances, and the overall impact of their choices on the competition. They also discuss the return of fan-favorite Alyssa Edwards and her influence on the show, as well as the performative nature of some contestants' actions. In this episode, Nathan and Joe delve into the performances from the Snatch Game segment of Drag Race, analyzing various characters and their portrayals. They discuss the effectiveness of humor in drag, the dynamics of elimination day, and share their final thoughts on the episode's overall reception and critiques. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

18 Syys 1h 47min

Joe and Nathan are back with a voicemail-heavy edition of The Rumor Mill. Listeners from around the world check in — from Cleveland to Kentucky, from Australia to Finland — to share feedback, stories, and a few zingers. Along the way, Joe reflects on the show’s evolution from its spoiler-days roots, teases the possibility of a hiatus when Nathan heads off on his world trip, and even slips into character as a “Chinese spy” mid-call. Highlights include: Anonymous callers asking for more “planned bits” and reminding Joe of long-forgotten show gags. A deep dive into listener Brendan’s hot-take on Sasha vs. Shea, sparking debate about queens who’ve aged well — or not. Matt from Michigan explaining how Afterthought Media helped him through a rough tinnitus flare, and throwing some unexpected shade Nathan’s way. Sean, Chloe, Halle, Allie, and James all chiming in with appreciation, questions, and stories — including a shoutout to classic Afterthought shows like Fat Camp, Hallmark Homo’s, Fighting Prince Charming, and Murder House Flip. A quick look at RuPaul’s DJ set with fracking imagery in the background — not exactly headline news, but worth a mention. A sneak peek at possible new theme songs for the “news” segment, complete with AI-generated lyrics that sound more Hunger Games opening ceremony than drag gossip. It’s an episode that blends community, comedy, and camp — a reminder that The Rumor Mill thrives as much on listener voices as it does on Joe and Nathan’s banter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 Syys 1h 2min

In this episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Recap, hosts Joe Betance and Nathan Patrick Brown discuss the latest episode, including the challenges faced by the contestants, the controversial comments made by Mr. Blackstone, and the implications of the lip sync battles. They also analyze the performances of the queens in the latest maxi challenge. In this episode, the hosts discuss various aspects of the latest Drag Race episode, including the joy of live viewing parties, the communal experience of laughter, and the challenges faced by contestants. They delve into the significance of table visits, the complexities of poverty and connections, and the dynamics of conflict resolution in the workroom. The conversation culminates in reflections on elimination day and the overall impact of the episode. Patreon: patreon.com/afterthoughtmedia Voicemail: speakpipe.com/afterthoughtmedia Email: dragracerecap@afterthought.media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Syys 1h 17min

This week on The Rumor Mill, Joe and Nathan dive into the latest tea from the world of Drag Race and beyond. Patreon & Apple Podcasts Updates: Joe lifts the “embargo” on voicemails and breaks down all the ways you can get exclusive Afterthought Media content, including Slaysian Royale and the return of Dragula. Cultural Misunderstandings: A discussion on Slaysian Royale sparks listener feedback about Filipino humor, translation quirks, and the use of words like “auspicious.” Joe and Nathan unpack the comments, reflect on cultural nuance, and talk about why covering international seasons can be tricky. Listener Voicemail: Laura from the Sutherland Shire shares how the podcasts have been with her through major life milestones—from earning a nursing degree to starting a family. She’s even moving closer to Nathan’s hometown, leading to talk of theatre productions, beaches, and life in Wollongong. Shea Couleé Drama: The big news of the week—Shea’s drag daughters have all dropped the Couleé name. Joe and Nathan cover the story, explore the daughters’ cryptic statements, and question what’s really going on behind the vague-booking. Joe even makes a bold pitch inviting them to spill the tea on The Rumor Mill. Theme Song Fun: Nathan reacts to a new, very “Australian” variation of his theme song and Joe revisits the AI-generated Rumor Mill jingle. Pop Culture Tangents: From Australian Survivor to Disneyland’s Gay Days, the hosts mix in stories of cousins, concerts, and cultural quirks that only Joe and Nathan could deliver. It’s a lively mix of hot tea, cultural commentary, listener love, and sharp Drag Race gossip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

9 Syys 51min

In this episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Recap, hosts Joe Betance and Nathan Patrick Brown discuss the latest episode titled 'RDR Live.' They delve into the technical issues faced during the recording, the ongoing drama within the drag community, and provide a detailed overview of the episode's events, including the lip sync battle and the controversial badonkadonk twist. The hosts also share their takeaways from the episode, highlighting the delusions of some contestants and the need for better writing in the challenges. In this episode, Nathan and Joe delve into the dynamics of the workroom, discussing the contestants' strategies, character choices, and the challenges they face in sketch performances. They critique the writing quality of the sketches, particularly focusing on the caveman sketch and the Golden Girls parody, while also analyzing RuPaul's humor and cultural references. The conversation highlights the importance of character consistency and the impact of writing on performance quality. In this episode of the Drag Race Recap, Nathan and Joe discuss the latest elimination day, the behind-the-scenes drama among contestants, and the runway looks that wowed and disappointed. They critique the performances and fashion choices of the queens, highlighting the dynamics of competition and personal opinions on the contestants' journeys. The conversation flows through various themes, including celebrity crushes, fashion critiques, and the overall impact of the episode on the competition. Patreon: patreon.com/afterthoughtmedia Voicemail: speakpipe.com/afterthoughtmedia Email: dragracerecap@afterthought.media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 Syys 1h 23min