Bob The Drag Queen Finally Watches Drag Race Down Under!

Following a targeted campaign by Lazy Susan and the Drag Race Down Under season four cast, Bob The Drag Queen has finally watched Drag Race Down Under.

The season eight Drag Race winner invited Lazy Susan onto his podcast, Only Child, this week to discuss the much maligned Australian franchise.

But did he like what he saw?

 

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Bob The Drag Queen Vs Drag Race Down Under

After years of publicly dismissing Drag Race Down Under, Bob finally watched the premiere of Drag Race Down Under vs The World and his verdict may surprise fans.

In the day before his interview with Lazy Susan aired, Bob dropped his full review of the first episode, which he reviewed with Aussie drag darling Courtney Act on his other podcast, Purse First Impressions.

“I did enjoy it. I enjoyed it very much,” Bob admitted to Lazy Susan.

He was particularly impressed that Raven’s return to the competition remained a secret. However, Bob thought the episode spent too much time celebrating her reputation rather than allowing her to compete like everyone else. At the time of recording, Bob had only seen one episode and was not privy to the ultimate Raven gag the rest of the world received in episode two.

Despite enjoying the premiere, Bob remained unmoved when Lazy attempted to convince him to revisit the franchise’s earlier seasons.

“You’ve not convinced me to go back,” he told her, although he promised to continue watching Down Under vs The World.

Lazy argued that the franchise’s rough edges are precisely what make it entertaining. Comparing it to early reality television, she said its small sets, questionable production choices and unpolished drag allow authentic and frequently absurd moments to break through.

To prove her point, Lazy arrived with flash cards featuring some of the franchise’s most memorable moments.

First was season two winner Spankie Jackzon in one of her notoriously unpolished looks. Bob was shocked by the visible underwear, unconventional construction and “fresh-out-of-the-bag” wig. Lazy argued that Spankie represented a rare “pure charisma” victory in that her magnetism was powerful enough to overcome almost any runway.

Lazy also showed Bob Queensland veteran Mandy Moobs dressed as a baby for an acting challenge, complete with a diaper and bottle. Mandy had apparently wanted the Pit Crew in matching diapers, but production refused.

 

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Next came the bicycle challenge inspired by Nicole Kidman’s early film BMX Bandits. Bob was unfamiliar with the movie, while Lazy celebrated the challenge’s bizarre Australian specificity.

Minnie Cooper received two entries in Lazy’s presentation. In one, the Australian drag veteran carried an actual flat screen television down the runway and declared it a purse. In another, she lip synced to Lady Gaga’s “Dance in the Dark” in clown makeup, a psychedelic tutu and flat wheeled shoes while her opponent was dressed as a lion.

Bob’s Brutal Art Simone Verdict

The pair also revisited Art Simone’s dramatic season one elimination.

Lazy described the moment as a full Shakespearean tragedy. Art, who had reportedly been considered a possible host before joining the competition, was eliminated second and appeared completely devastated.

When a producer reminded Art that she had still made it onto the show, she memorably replied that it meant nothing.

Bob was considerably less sympathetic.

“She deserved to go home,” he declared, arguing that Coco Jumbo had fairly defeated Art and that production should not have simply returned her to the competition.

Bob suggested Art should instead have been given a comeback challenge, invited onto a later season or saved for an international edition.

Lazy agreed the return was chaotic, but argued that the chaos itself helped make the season unforgettable.

 

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Lazy Susan’s Journey From Contestant To Judge

Lazy also reflected on being rejected three times by the American series and three times by Down Under before finally securing a place on season four.

The timing proved perfect for her, however. Lazy won the season and was subsequently invited to judge Down Under vs The World alongside Michelle Visage and Rhys Nicholson.

Lazy admitted that critiquing established queens such as Raven and Nicole Paige Brooks was intimidating. She was nevertheless thrilled that years of rejection had led not only to a crown, but also to a place on the judging panel.

The pair also discussed Courtney Act, whom Lazy described as an Australian household name and effectively the country’s answer to RuPaul. Bob repeatedly questioned why Courtney was not hosting the franchise, although Lazy stopped short of offering a definitive explanation.

As for their own competitive futures, Lazy entertained the possibility of an international or all-winners season, while Bob said it would take a $1 million prize to tempt him back. However, Bob is absolutely convinced that if he returned, he would win the competition, no matter who he is up against.

“I’m really good at Drag Race,” he said. “My skillset just happens to fall perfectly in [Drag Race].”

Bob had previously ruled out a return to the franchise, saying that All Stars was for “losers” and revealing he was not called for the iconic All Winners season. Last year he also famously hit out at the Vs The World franchise, encouraging other queens to say no to appearing on the show “we have to stop them from even offering it as an option” he said at the time.

Lazy Susan may not have persuaded Bob to complete the earlier seasons, but her campaign still achieved something remarkable: Bob is watching Down Under vs The World and enjoying it, with the Drag Race star vowing to finish watching the season.

You can watch the full chat below.