Snatch Game
The Snatch Game is a challenge on the Drag Race reality competition television franchise.[1] Beginning with the second season of the original American series RuPaul's Drag Race, the challenge has taken place on every season since. It has also occurred on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars since season 2, both seasons of RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race, and on the Thai, British, Canadian,[2] Dutch, Australian-New Zealand, Spanish, Italian, French, Filipino, Belgian, Swedish, and Mexican international installments. The Snatch Game typically parodies the game show Match Game (known as Blankety Blank, and Lily Savage's Blankety Blank in the UK and Blankety Blanks in Australia) and is a test of the contestants' skills at celebrity impersonation and improvisational comedy.
Usually occurring about halfway through each Drag Race season, Snatch Game is commonly perceived as one of the most important and memorable challenges of the show and, in RuPaul's own words, separates "the basic bitches from the fierce-ass queens."[3] Winners of the show are often amongst the top performers in the Snatch Game,[lower-alpha 1] though there are a few exceptions.[lower-alpha 2]
Because they are drag queens, the show's contestants typically impersonate women, although there have been several instances of contestants choosing male celebrities whose public images were sufficiently flamboyant to fit in with a drag aesthetic.[4] Several contestants have chosen to impersonate other people directly associated with the show, such as other past or present contestants, Michelle Visage, or RuPaul.[5] Queens cannot choose copyrighted characters,[6] although some have ostensibly impersonated actors while actually basing their portrayal on one of the celebrity's film or television performances.[4]
The challenge often brings in celebrity guests who serve as answer providers and sometimes, but not always, also serve as the guest judges of the episode. However, some seasons have also used members of the show's regular production team, such as Michelle Visage, Ross Mathews, Carson Kressley, Rhys Nicholson or members of the Pit Crew, in lieu of outside guests.
Six queens have won the Snatch Game more than once: BenDeLaCreme, Ginger Minj, Baga Chipz, Jinkx Monsoon, Trinity the Tuck and Jimbo. One queen, Gia Gunn, has been eliminated more than once for her Snatch Game performances.
United States
Legend:
RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race
Season | Guest celebrities | Celebrity | Drag name | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Monét X Change Trixie Mattel |
Jordan Connor | Babykins La Roux | Chrissy Teigen | Win |
Jermaine Fowler | Miss Mimi Teapot | Kevina Hart[lower-alpha 19] | R-up | ||
Nico Tortorella | Olivette Isyou | Lucille Ball[lower-alpha 20] | R-up | ||
Bob the Drag Queen[lower-alpha 21] | — | ||||
2 | Brooke Lynn Hytes Monét X Change |
Mark Indelicato | Thirsty Von Trapp | Erika Jayne | WIN |
Tatyana Ali | Chakra 7 | Eartha Kitt | SAFE | ||
AJ McLean | Poppy Love | David Bowie[lower-alpha 22] | BTM | ||
Kevin McHale | Chic-Li-Fay | Celine Dion | ELIM |
International
Legend:
Canada's Drag Race
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestant | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Colin McAllister Justin Ryan |
Jimbo | Joan Rivers | WIN |
BOA | Gypsy Rose Blanchard | SAFE | ||
Ilona Verley | Rebecca More | SAFE | ||
Lemon | JoJo Siwa | SAFE | ||
Rita Baga | Édith Piaf | SAFE | ||
Scarlett BoBo | Liza Minnelli | SAFE | ||
Priyanka | Miss Cleo | BTM | ||
Kiara | Mariah Carey | ELIM | ||
2 | Brad Goreski Boman "Bomanizer" Martinez-Reid |
Synthia Kiss | Rachel Zoe | WIN |
Adriana | Sofía Vergara | SAFE | ||
Gia Metric | Jim Carrey[lower-alpha 23] | SAFE | ||
Icesis Couture | La Veneno | SAFE | ||
Kendall Gender | Kris Jenner | SAFE | ||
Kimora Amour | Leslie Jones | SAFE | ||
Pythia | Grimes | SAFE | ||
Eve 6000 | Bernie Sanders | BTM | ||
Suki Doll | Yoko Ono | ELIM | ||
3 | Brad Goreski Traci Melchor |
Gisèle Lullaby | Marie Curie | WIN |
Bombae | Aziz Ansari | SAFE | ||
Miss Fiercalicious | Kourtney Kardashian | SAFE | ||
Irma Gerd | Marilyn Monroe | SAFE | ||
Vivian Vanderpuss | Tammy Faye Messner | SAFE | ||
Jada Shada Hudson | Saucy Santana | SAFE | ||
Kimmy Couture | Ariana Grande | BTM | ||
Lady Boom Boom | Mado Lamotte | ELIM | ||
Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestant | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 Snatch Summit |
Traci Melchor Sarain Fox |
Icesis Couture | Donatella Versace | WIN |
Ra'Jah O'Hara | Big Freedia | TOP2 | ||
Rita Baga | Guilda | SAFE | ||
Silky Nutmeg Ganache | Lizzo | SAFE | ||
Vanity Milan | Spice | SAFE | ||
Victoria Scone | Kim Woodburn | SAFE | ||
Anita Wigl'it | Adele | BTM | ||
Stephanie Prince | Cardi B | ELIM |
Drag Race Belgique
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestant | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Plastic Bertrand Juriji der Klee |
Mademoiselle Boop | Amélie Nothomb | WIN |
Athena Sorgelikis | Serge Gainsbourg | SAFE | ||
Drag Couenne | Michel Daerden | SAFE | ||
Susan | Sœur Sourire | SAFE | ||
Peach | Dominique Lehmann | BTM | ||
Valenciaga | Vanessa Paradis | ELIM |
Drag Race Brasil
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestant | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bruna Braga Dudu Bertholini |
Helena Malditta | Narcisa Tamborindeguy | WIN |
Betina Polaroid | Regina Rouca | SAFE | ||
Dallas de Vil | Dilma Rousseff | SAFE | ||
Miranda Lebrão | Paola Carosella | SAFE | ||
Organzza | Maria Bethânia | SAFE | ||
Shannon Skarlett | Inês Brasil | SAFE | ||
Naza | Márcia Sensitiva | BTM | ||
Rubi Ocean | Marília Gabriela | ELIM |
Drag Race España
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestant | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Samantha Hudson Kika Lorace |
Killer Queen | Isabel Díaz Ayuso | WIN |
Carmen Farala | Dakota Tárraga | SAFE | ||
Dovima Nurmi | Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart | SAFE | ||
Pupi Poisson | Karina | SAFE | ||
Sagittaria | Encarnita Rojas | SAFE | ||
Hugáceo Crujiente | Mona Lisa | BTM | ||
Arantxa Castilla-La Mancha | Belén Esteban | ELIM | ||
2 | Eva Hache Jedet |
Sharonne | Verónica Forqué | WIN |
Drag Sethlas | Carmen Lomana | SAFE | ||
Estrella Xtravaganza | Paquita Salas | SAFE | ||
Juriji Der Klee | Isabel[lower-alpha 24] | SAFE | ||
Marina | Antonia Dell'Atte | SAFE | ||
Venedita Von Däsh | Miguel Bosé | SAFE | ||
Diamante Merybrown | RuPaul | BTM | ||
Onyx | Joanna of Castile | ELIM | ||
3 | Karina Pupi Poisson[lower-alpha 25] |
Pink Chadora | Lola Flores | WIN |
Bestiah | La Hierbas | SAFE | ||
Clover Bish | Maite Galdeano | SAFE | ||
Hornella Góngora | Juan Carlos I | SAFE | ||
Pitita | Sara Montiel | SAFE | ||
Vania Vainilla | Bárbara Rey | SAFE | ||
Visa | Paulina Rubio | SAFE | ||
Pakita | Peppa Pig[lower-alpha 26] | BTM | ||
The Macarena | Paca La Piraña | ELIM |
Drag Race France
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestant | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bérengère Krief Bilal Hassani |
La Grande Dame | Alexandra Rosenfeld | WIN |
Elips | Chantal Ladesou | SAFE | ||
Lolita Banana | Rossy de Palma | SAFE | ||
Paloma | Fanny Ardant | SAFE | ||
Soa de Muse | Félindra | SAFE | ||
La Big Bertha | Jean-Pierre Coffe | BTM | ||
Kam Hugh | Mireille Mathieu | ELIM | ||
2 | Amanda Lear Eddy de Pretto |
Punani | Amanda Lear | WIN |
Cookie Kunty | Johnny Halliday | SAFE | ||
Keiona | Afida Turner | SAFE | ||
Mami Watta | Shauna Sand | SAFE | ||
Moon | Brigitte Fontaine | SAFE | ||
Sara Forever | Françoise Sagan | SAFE | ||
Ginger Bitch | Victoria Silvstedt | BTM | ||
Piche | Geneviève de Fontenay | ELIM | ||
Drag Race Germany
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestants | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 Snatch Game at Sea |
Dianne Brill Gianni Jovanovic |
Kelly Heelton | Bruce Darnell | WIN |
Metamorkid | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | SAFE | ||
Pandora Nox | Arnold Schwarzenegger[lower-alpha 27] | SAFE | ||
Yvonne Nightstand | Vincent Raven | SAFE | ||
Loreley Rivers | Ludwig van Beethoven | BTM | ||
Victoria Shakespears | Inês Brasil | BTM | ||
Nikita Vegaz | Silvia Wollny[lower-alpha 28] | ELIM | ||
Drag Race Holland
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestant | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Carlo Boszhard Monica Geuze |
Envy Peru | Patty Brard | WIN |
ChelseaBoy | Joe Exotic | SAFE | ||
Janey Jacké | Anny Schilder | SAFE | ||
Ma'Ma Queen | Raven van Dorst | SAFE | ||
Miss Abby OMG | Michella Kox | BTM | ||
Sederginne | Mega Mindy[lower-alpha 29] | ELIM | ||
2 | Carlo Boszhard Elise Schaap |
Keta Minaj | Sophie Anderson | WIN |
Vivaldi | Nikkie Plessen | WIN | ||
My Little Puny | Marijke Helwegen | SAFE | ||
Tabitha | Kim Holland | SAFE | ||
The Countess | Louis XIV | SAFE | ||
Vanessa Van Cartier | Queen Mathilde | SAFE | ||
Ivy-Elyse | Cardi B | BTM | ||
Love Masisi | Grace Jones | ELIM |
Drag Race Italia
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestant | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Donatella Rettore Giancarlo Commare |
Le Riche | Valeria Marini | WIN |
Elecktra Bionic | Francesca Cipriani | SAFE | ||
Farida Kant | Alessandra Celentano | SAFE | ||
Luquisha Lubamba | Elettra Lamborghini | SAFE | ||
Ava Hangar | Alice and Ellen Kessler | BTM | ||
Divinity | Belén Rodríguez | ELIM | ||
Enorma Jean | Rita Levi-Montalcini | DISQ | ||
2 | Sandra Milo | La Diamond | Cristiano Malgioglio | WIN |
Aura Eternal | Pamela Prati | SAFE | ||
Gioffré | Pingu[lower-alpha 30] | SAFE | ||
Nehellenia | Elenoire Ferruzzi | SAFE | ||
La Petite Noire | Chiara Ferragni | SAFE | ||
Skandalove | Jill Cooper | SAFE | ||
Panthera Virus | Asia Argento | BTM | ||
Obama | Barbara d'Urso | ELIM |
Drag Race México
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestants | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Valentina Óscar Madrazo |
Cristian Peralta | Verónica Castro | WIN |
Lady Kero | Luna Gil | SAFE | ||
Margaret Y Ya | Martha Debayle | SAFE | ||
Matraka | Adela Micha | SAFE | ||
Regina Voce | Walter Mercado | SAFE | ||
Gala Varo | La Llorona | BTM | ||
Argennis | Gloria Trevi | ELIM | ||
Drag Race Philippines
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestant | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 Snatch Game KNB? |
Jon Santos Jojie Dingcong |
Xilhouete | Vicki Belo | WIN |
Eva Le Queen | Rufa Mae Quinto | SAFE | ||
Marina Summers | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo | SAFE | ||
Precious Paula Nicole | Charo Santos-Concio | SAFE | ||
Viñas DeLuxe | Kris Aquino | SAFE | ||
Boy Abunda | ||||
Brigiding | Elizabeth Ramsey | BTM | ||
Minty Fresh | Maria Sofia Love | BTM | ||
2 Snatch Game KNB? |
Jon Santos Kim Molina |
Captivating Katkat | Joy Belmonte | WIN |
Arizona Brandy | Adele | SAFE | ||
Bernie | Madam Inutz | SAFE | ||
Hana Beshie | Jessica Soho | SAFE | ||
M1ss Jade So | Queen Dura | SAFE | ||
ØV Cünt | Zenaida Seva | SAFE | ||
DeeDee Marié Holliday | Meryl Streep[lower-alpha 31] | BTM | ||
Jennifer Coolidge | ||||
Matilduh | Sassa Gurl | BTM | ||
Veruschka Levels | Dionisia Dapidran-Pacquiao | ELIM | ||
Drag Race Sverige
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestant | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Arantxa Alvarez Omar Rudberg |
Admira Thunderpussy | Anita Ekberg | WIN |
Elecktra | Anna Anka | SAFE | ||
Fontana | Britney Spears | SAFE | ||
Santana Sexmachine | Gunilla Persson | SAFE | ||
Vanity Vain | Anna Book | SAFE | ||
Antonina Nutshell | Sandra Dahlberg | BTM | ||
Imaa Queen | Carola | ELIM |
Drag Race Thailand
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestant | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Metinee Kingpayom Polpat Asavaprapha |
Natalia Pliacam | Sumanee Gunakasem | WIN |
B Ella | Leena Jung | SAFE | ||
Amadiva | Cherprang Areekul | SAFE | ||
Dearis Doll | Jintara Poonlarp | SAFE | ||
Année Maywong | Lukkade Metinee | BTM | ||
JAJA | Nicki Minaj | BTM | ||
Petchra | Amy Winehouse | ELIM | ||
2 | Metinee Kingpayom Khemanit "Pancake" Jamikorn |
Angele Anang | Vatanika | RW |
Bandit | Ornapha Krisadee | SAFE | ||
Vanda Miss Joaquim | Cardi B | SAFE | ||
Srimala | Sophia La | BTM | ||
Tormai | Thapanee Ietsrichai | WEL | ||
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under
Season | Guest celebrities | Contestant | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Michelle Visage Rhys Nicholson |
Anita Wigl'it | Queen Elizabeth II | WIN |
Elektra Shock | Catherine O'Hara[lower-alpha 32] | SAFE | ||
Etcetera Etcetera | Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton | SAFE | ||
Karen from Finance | Dolly Parton | SAFE | ||
Kita Mean | Dr. Seuss | SAFE | ||
Maxi Shield | Magda Szubanski[lower-alpha 33] | SAFE | ||
Scarlet Adams | Jennifer Coolidge | SAFE | ||
Coco Jumbo | Lizzo | BTM | ||
Art Simone | Bindi Irwin | ELIM | ||
2 | Michelle Visage Raven |
Hannah Conda | Liza Minnelli | WIN |
Kween Kong | NeNe Leakes | SAFE | ||
Molly Poppinz | Orville Peck | SAFE | ||
Spankie Jackzon | Barry Humphries[lower-alpha 34] | SAFE | ||
Yuri Guaii | Courtney Love | SAFE | ||
Beverly Kills | Val Garland | BTM | ||
Minnie Cooper | Ellen DeGeneres | ELIM | ||
3 | Keiynan Lonsdale Max Currie |
Ashley Madison | Jesus Christ | WIN |
Bumpa Love | Kiri Te Kanawa | SAFE | ||
Gabriella Labucci | Emma Watkins | SAFE | ||
Hollywould Star | Naomi Campbell | SAFE | ||
Isis Avis Loren | Donatella Versace | SAFE | ||
Flor | Charo | BTM | ||
Rita Menu | Cardi B | ELIM |
RuPaul's Drag Race UK
RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World
Series | Family | Contestant | Impersonation | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 Snatch Game: Family Edition |
Katie Price | Baga Chipz | Kathy Bates[lower-alpha 42] | TOP2 |
Jujubee | Cher | BTM | ||
Pangina Heals | Mariah Carey | ELIM | ||
Michelle Visage | Blu Hydrangea | Mike Myers[lower-alpha 43] | WIN | |
Janey Jacké | James Charles | BTM | ||
Mo Heart | Billy Porter[lower-alpha 44] | BTM | ||
Most frequent impersonations
Cardi B is the most frequently impersonated celebrity. Both queens who impersonated Mariah Carey and two of the five queens who impersonated Cardi B were eliminated, making them the only choices of impersonation subject to lead to multiple contestants' eliminations. Both of the queens to impersonate Ariana Grande, Celine Dion, Ellen DeGeneres, Nancy Grace, and Rue McClanahan, respectively, and two of the three queens to impersonate Lady Gaga were up for elimination due to their performances, but only one queen was eliminated for each. Two of the four queens to impersonate Eartha Kitt, and two of the three queens to impersonate Cher and RuPaul, respectively, landed in the bottom, but none of them were eliminated. Two of the three queens to impersonate Liza Minnelli won the Snatch Game, making her the first impersonation subject to earn multiple queens a win, while Joan Rivers became the second following season 15 of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Number | Celebrity | Contestant | Season |
---|---|---|---|
5 | Cardi B | Vanda Miss Joaquim | Thailand 2 |
Jaida Essence Hall | Season 12 | ||
Ivy-Elyse | Holland 2 | ||
Stephanie Prince | Canada vs. the World | ||
Rita Menu | Down Under 3 | ||
4 | Eartha Kitt | Chi Chi DeVayne | Season 8 |
Valentina | All Stars 4 | ||
Jujubee | All Stars 5 | ||
Chakra 7 | Celebrity 2 | ||
3 | Adele | Ginger Minj | Season 7 |
Anita Wigl'it | Canada vs. the World | ||
Arizona Brandy | Philippines 2 | ||
Beyoncé | Tyra Sanchez | Season 2 | |
Kenya Michaels | Season 4 | ||
Asia O'Hara | Season 10 | ||
Britney Spears | Tatianna | Season 2 | |
Derrick Barry | Season 8 | ||
Fontana | Sverige 1 | ||
Cher | Delta Work | Season 3 | |
Chad Michaels | Season 4 | ||
Jujubee | UK vs the World | ||
Donatella Versace | Miss Fame | Season 7 | |
Icesis Couture | Canada vs. the World | ||
Isis Avis Loren | Down Under 3 | ||
Jennifer Coolidge | Scarlet Adams | Down Under 1 | |
Jaymes Mansfield | All Stars 8 | ||
DeeDee Marié Holliday | Philippines 2 | ||
Lady Gaga | Sonique | Season 2 | |
Phi Phi O'Hara | Season 4 | ||
Miz Cracker | All Stars 5 | ||
Liza Minnelli | Alexis Michelle | Season 9 | |
Scarlett BoBo | Canada 1 | ||
Hannah Conda | Down Under 2 | ||
RuPaul | Jessica Wild | Season 2 | |
Trixie Mattel | All Stars 3 | ||
Diamante Merybrown | España 2 | ||
Whitney Houston | Sahara Davenport | Season 2 | |
Monét X Change | All Stars 4 | ||
Trinity K. Bonet | All Stars 6 | ||
2 | Alyssa Edwards | Violet Chachki | Season 7 |
Aja | Season 9 | ||
Amanda Lepore | Trinity Taylor | Season 9 | |
Luxx Noir London | Season 15 | ||
Ariana Grande | Tatianna | All Stars 2 | |
Kimmy Couture | Canada 3 | ||
Amy Winehouse | Yara Sofia | Season 3 | |
Petchra | Thailand 1 | ||
Carol Channing | Pandora Boxx | Season 2 | |
Bob the Drag Queen | Season 8 | ||
Celine Dion | Brooke Lynn Hytes | Season 11 | |
Chic-Li-Fay | Celebrity 2 | ||
Charo | Shuga Cain | Season 11 | |
Flor | Down Under 3 | ||
Diana Vreeland | Robbie Turner | Season 8 | |
Raja | All Stars 7 | ||
Dolly Parton | Karen from Finance | Down Under 1 | |
Kylie Sonique Love | All Stars 6 | ||
Ellen DeGeneres | Blair St. Clair | All Stars 5 | |
Minnie Cooper | Down Under 2 | ||
Gemma Collins | Cheryl Hole | UK 1 | |
Kitty Scott-Claus | UK 3 | ||
Grace Jones | BeBe Zahara Benet | All Stars 3 | |
Love Masisi | Holland 2 | ||
Inês Brasil | Shannon Skarlett | Brasil 1 | |
Victoria Shakespears | Germany 1 | ||
Joan Crawford | Mariah | Season 3 | |
Alyssa Edwards | All Stars 2 | ||
Joan Rivers | Jimbo | Canada 1 | |
Loosey LaDuca | Season 15 | ||
Julia Child | Milk | Season 6 | |
Divina de Campo | UK 1 | ||
Leslie Jones | Heidi N Closet | Season 12 | |
Kimora Amour | Canada 2 | ||
Lizzo | Coco Jumbo | Down Under 1 | |
Silky Nutmeg Ganache | Canada vs. the World | ||
Marilyn Monroe | Ivy Winters | Season 5 | |
Irma Gerd | Canada 3 | ||
Mariah Carey | Kiara | Canada 1 | |
Pangina Heals | UK vs the World | ||
Maya Angelou | Chi Chi DeVayne | All Stars 3 | |
Monét X Change | Season 10 | ||
Mona Lisa | Hugáceo Crujiente | España 1 | |
Jax | Season 15 | ||
Nancy Grace | Acid Betty | Season 8 | |
Detox | All Stars 2 | ||
Naomi Campbell | Shea Couleé | Season 9 | |
Hollywould Star | Down Under 3 | ||
NeNe Leakes | Peppermint | Season 9 | |
Kween Kong | Down Under 2 | ||
Nicki Minaj | Trinity K. Bonet | Season 6 | |
JAJA | Thailand 1 | ||
Paris Hilton | Raven | Season 2 | |
Gottmik | Season 13 | ||
Rachel Zoe | Laganja Estranja | Season 6 | |
Synthia Kiss | Canada 2 | ||
Rue McClanahan | Crystal | UK 1 | |
Elliott with 2 Ts | Season 13 | ||
Saucy Santana | Jada Shada Hudson | Canada 3 | |
Malaysia Babydoll Foxx | Season 15 | ||
Sofía Vergara | Cynthia Lee Fontaine | Season 9 | |
Adriana | Canada 2 | ||
Tammy Faye Messner | Ginger Minj | All Stars 2 | |
Vivian Vanderpuss | Canada 3 | ||
Tina Turner | Shangela | Season 3 | |
Widow Von'Du | Season 12 | ||
Tiffany Haddish | Monique Heart | All Stars 4 | |
A'keria C. Davenport | Season 11 | ||
Walter Mercado | Alexis Mateo | All Stars 5 | |
Regina Voce | México 1 | ||
Wendy Williams | DiDa Ritz | Season 4 | |
Naomi Smalls | All Stars 4 |
Reception
The "Snatch Game" challenge has been called the signature challenge on the show.[15] Kevin O'Keeffe from Into discusses that the challenge isn't only about the celebrity impersonation and RuPaul looks for accuracy, humor and the idea of the character. He also states that the challenge tests a lot of different skills, such as the queens' ability to put on a different look from their signature one, and also their ability to be "funny on a dime".[16] RuPaul states each year, as the challenge is introduced, that the cardinal rule of the challenge is to make him laugh.[5]
Writing for Vulture, Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers state that "Snatch Game" is "the mother of all comedy challenges on a reality show" despite the varied results over the years.[17] On a more critical reception of the challenge, Josh Lee, for PopBuzz, argues that while the annual challenge has given viewers some of the best moments from RuPaul's Drag Race, it is starting to feel stale overall. He comments that recent celebrity impersonations in the challenge have been lackluster and the show should adapt and retire "Snatch Game" in future seasons of the series.[18]
Notes
- In the 48 seasons to include the Snatch Game, seventeen queens (Jinkx Monsoon [twice], Bob the Drag Queen, Aquaria, Alaska, Trinity the Tuck, Shea Couleé, Natalia Pliacam, The Vivienne, Envy Peru, Sharonne, Blu Hydrangea, Gisèle Lullaby, La Diamond, Ra'Jah D. O'Hara, Admira Thunderpussy, and Jimbo) who won the Snatch Game went on to win their seasons.
- In the 48 seasons to include the Snatch Game, only five queens (Yvie Oddly, Willow Pill, Trixie Mattel, Priyanka, and Lawrence Chaney) who placed in the bottom for the Snatch Game went on to win their seasons.
- as Mary Lee Johnston from Precious
- as Faye Dunaway's portrayal of Crawford in Mommie Dearest
- as Violet Crawley from Downton Abbey
- as Fran Fine from The Nanny
- as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren from Orange is the New Black
- a parodic Kim Jong-un's sister
- as Blanche Devereaux from The Golden Girls
- As a twist, the contestants were split in two groups to compete in two separate Snatch Games.
- a parodic Gordon Ramsay's sister
- Adore Delano quit the competition, due to depression and mental issues, just before Snatch Game, but in a prior conversation with RuPaul, she revealed she was going to impersonate Jan Crouch for the challenge.
- Kristin Chenoweth joined the contestants as an additional panelist, portraying herself.
- as Samantha Jones from Sex and the City
- As a twist, the contestants were asked to portray two separate celebrities in two separate Snatch Games.
- as Sheneneh Jenkins from Martin
- as Patsy Stone from Absolutely Fabulous
- as Joanie Taylor from The Catherine Tate Show
- A parodic Kevin Hart's sister
- as Lucille Esmeralda "Lucy" McGillicuddy Ricardo from I Love Lucy
- Bob the Drag Queen joined the contestants as an additional panelist, portraying herself.
- as Ziggy Stardust from Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
- as Ace Ventura from Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
- from the viral video Las vecinas de Valencia
- Special guest Pupi Poisson reenacted her season one impersonation of Karina, who was also a celebrity guest alongside Pupi.
- Credited as Pepa Pink.
- as Terminator from the Terminator franchise
- Credited as Frau Wollny.
- Credited as Mega Mega Mindy.
- Credited as Pinguino.
- as Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada
- as Moira Rose from Schitt's Creek
- as Lynne Postlethwaite from The D-Generation
- as Humphries' drag character Dame Edna Everage
- as Vicky Pollard from Little Britain
- Credited as Psychic Sally.
- as Kath Day-Knight from Kath & Kim
- as Charity Shop Sue
- as Kevin McCallister from the Home Alone films
- as Gladys Kingston from Little Miss Jocelyn
- Credited as Sainty Paddy.
- as Annie Wilkes from Misery
- first as Austin Powers and then as Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers series of films
- as Pray Tell from Pose
References
- "Where Are Your Favorite Queens from RuPaul's Drag Race Season 1?". TV Guide. February 2, 2019. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
- Joey Nolfi, "Canada's Drag Race first look serves Canadian bacon with a side of fish". Entertainment Weekly, May 19, 2020.
- "'RuPaul's Drag Race' episode 6 recap: Which queen won Snatch Game?" Archived 2019-04-19 at the Wayback Machine. Mic, April 28, 2017.
- "The 10 Tightest Snatch Game Characters on RuPaul's Drag Race" Archived 2019-03-27 at the Wayback Machine. Vulture, May 4, 2017.
- "Bob the Drag Queen on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 9's Snatch Game". Teen Vogue, May 1, 2017.
- RuPaul, "Characters are copyrighted. RT @SickeningHunty: Why are "characters" not allowed in Snatch Game?". Twitter, April 12, 2015.
- Rezsnyak, Eric. ""RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 5: Snatch Game Wrap-Up". City Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2019-03-27. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- Reid, Alexander Abad-Santos, Joe (2014-03-25). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Power Rankings: The Snatch Game Edition". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 2019-03-27. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
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