Canada's Drag Race

The production value is predictably poor and the judging pannel isn't exactly star-studded. Hey, it's Canadian Reality TV. And yet somehow it all works in its favour. Many fans are nostalgic for the early seasons of drag race, a show that was less polished and more camp... and maybe this satisfies that craving. While it's too early to tell, I'm more intrigued than I thought I'd be. The cast is giving charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent, and the judges aren't repeating the mistake of being too nice, unlike other Canadian iterations of state side shows.

Look, it's not changing the game. The franchise itself has grown mildly stale, so any deviation is refreshing at this point. But I laughed, which is more than I can say for All Stars 5. So, I'll be watching and I recommend you give it a go.

Queens are fun, but the fakeness and lack of likeability of the judges sinks this ship.

It's unlike most other seasons of drag race and rather than falling for the cast earlier on, I really don't think you get drawn in until about halfway through. Pythia and Icesis were definitely my front-runners but you really end up enjoying most of the cast towards the end. Canada is a lot more kindness and innocent puns but as someone who has seen every episode of every franchise, if you give it a few episodes, it gets really good. (EPISODE 8 WAS ONE OF THE BEST OF THE WHOLE FRANCHISE) Brooklyn could knock the air out of your lungs, she is stunning every look and plays the part perfectly. I really wish they'd just let her be the main judge since it's kind of off-putting to see the judge switch around so much but I guess I get it.

Sure, the judges are not stellar , but the talent from the queens make up for it. With a tighter 1 hour show there is less fluff and things get down to business. The amount of salty reviews dismissing the show because Ru isn't in it or they don't like the judges is doing a great disservice to these amazing Canadian drag queens. They'll entertain you non-stop. The show is a refreshing departure from the main series.

Bad judging, production and writing and overal a boring watch

CDR's smaller production budget would have been a great chance to adapt and deviate from the current US RPDR format. Instead, we got this...

All of the judges look and sound uncomfortable. Some episodes, best in challenge + OK/bad runway = no win. Other episodes, worst in challenge + great runway = win. Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman is particularly rude to queens. Brooke Lynn conveys little emotion. Stacey McKenzie is the only judge who consistently gives constructive criticism. The guest judges have been great, however.

Terrible production - bad lighting that does nothing for the queens, strange editing with over-use of sound effects and haphazard cuts and corny/unfunny writing.

I'm giving this 3 stars solely for the queens. They are all talented in their own ways and deserve better. They also certainly don't deserve to be body shamed in front of an international audience the way they were.

(Edited after 4 more episodes)