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RuPaul's Drag Race Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
9 Episodes 2009 - 2009
Episode 1
Drag on a Dime
Mon, Feb 2, 200943 mins
In this first episode, we are introduced to the nine queens that will be competing for "the fierce title of America's Next Breakthrough Drag Superstar." These nine contestants (chosen from thousands of entries) come from all over the United States plus one contestant from Puerto Rico and another from Cameroon. The winner will receive a feature photo spread in Paper magazine, a portrait taken by renown photographer Greg Gorman to be used in an LA Eyeworks legendary designer eye wear campaign, headline the Absolut Vodka Pride Tour across the U.S., and $20,000 cash courtesy of MAC Cosmetics and Absolut Vodka. Their first challenge is a photo shoot by Mike Ruiz. It involves two hot men washing a car and, needless to say, the queens get all wet. The next challenge is to recreate their glamorous drag look using hand-me-downs from the studio wardrobe and items from a dollar store. Their photo and their original "drag on a dime" look is judged by RuPaul, Merle Ginsberg, Santino Rice, Bob Mackie, and Mike Ruiz. The first contestant to be eliminated is announced after a lip sync between the bottom two queens.
Episode 2
Girl Group Challenge
Mon, Feb 9, 200943 mins
For the mini challenge, the contestants must take pictures of themselves reacting to situations RuPual dictates. The two winners become team captains for the main challenge. They must form two rival girl groups where each team member is in charge of a different aspect of the challenge (makeup, hair, costumes, and choreography). The two teams perform and are critiqued by the judges. The winning group is safe and contains the winner of the challenge. One of the queens from the losing team is sent home.
Episode 3
Queens of all Media
Mon, Feb 16, 200943 mins
The queens must create an Oprah inspired look for the main challenge and retrace her career (report the news via teleprompter, pitch products, and interview celebrity guests). They hit the runway in their very own best drag.
Episode 4
M.A.C/Viva Glam Challenge
Mon, Feb 23, 200943 mins
With three queens down, RuPaul pairs the racers off to do one another's makeup in the mini challenge. For the main challenge, they must campaign their own screen test entitled "I am a MAC Viva Glam Woman Because..."
Episode 5
Drag School of Charm
Mon, Mar 2, 200943 mins
RuPaul brings in a group of girl fighters to work out the contestants for the mini challenge. The winner gets to pair each queen with the fighter of his choosing to transform into a version of their drag persona.
Episode 6
Absolut Drag Ball
Mon, Mar 9, 200943 mins
The final four "vogue off" in the mini challenge. The winner gets to choose which Absolut vodka flavors the queens will be representing for the main challenge (creating three different looks: swimwear, executive realness, and evening gown).
Episode 7
Extra Special Edition
Mon, Mar 16, 200943 mins
This clip show includes a short history of drag, audition tapes of queens who did and didn't make it, the top ten most unforgettable fashion moments, never before scenes, a look at the catch phrases, and a recap of the season thus far.
Episode 8
Grand Finale
Mon, Mar 23, 200943 mins
The remaining three queens face their final challenge when they're asked to transform into video vixens for the music video to Ru's latest single, "Champion."
Episode 9
Re-United!
Mon, Mar 23, 200943 mins
RuPaul hosts as all 9 contestants are reunited. They discuss the highlights, lowlights, and dramatic moments from the show, answer viewer questions, and get a chance to give the judges a piece of their minds. Miss Congeniality is announced.
