Sketchy Queens

I was really excited to see Jinkx have the space to do his thing.... but after episode 1 I felt like I had tuned into the wrong show or in some Bizzaro world. Who is this!

The first episode had 2 great bits.. The Jennifer's and Sunrise Blvd.. I kept in mind it was put together during the height of covid, but still it fell flat for me.

I'm not even an avid follower on social media; My expectations are based on appearances on Drag Race/All Stars and some other shows/youtube videos. So I was expecting the Jinkx that unashamedly loves old Hollywood. Then I wondered how and why WOW/RuPaul didn't swap some things around. I can't see Junkx wanting a side kick that can't deliver either vocally or comically. Apparently they are good friends, but if something doesn't work..it just don't work...NEXT!

I 'get' a wide array of comedy styles/subjects, I honestly felt like I was just waiting to be let in on a private joke. As much as I tried to keep in mind it was an effort of 2 friends/cohorts, it just fails. I think Liam may just be in acting school and no one has the heart to say "hunty Ya need to look for sumthin' elseses". I love a great deadpan monotone routine, from someone that knows the nuances. In subsequent sketches of Sunset Blvd Jinkx character didn't hold true to the one in episode 1 and just came off like random non-sense.

So I revisited the Jinkx appearances on DR and DRAS that are inspired masterpieces, hoping to muster the will to watch the remaining episodes of Sketchy Queens..

Jinkx Monsoon, our favorite narcoleptic drag artist and two-time winner of Rupaul's Drag Race, teams up with Liam Krug and World of Wonder in this low budget sketch comedy show. The duo present a solid concept, emphasizing Jinkx's aptitude for impersonations but with poorly executed results. One keeps hope the skits will improve as the season progresses to no avail. Jinkx is undoubtedly talented, yet WOW seems uninterested in supporting them in the production and direction... two areas severely lacking. Although Jinkx delivered masterclasses on RPDR Snatch Game, her impersonations come off forced and flat. If you don't have a WOW membership, save yourself the enrollment and watch Winderly Landchime (Jinkx's one successful characterization) on YouTube. The show was picked up for a second season, hopefully there's more directorial support for the actors and stronger writing on the horizon.

It's SO low budget. It's SO weird. It's SO stupid. It is SO...fun!

The sketches are creative, off-the-wall, and, well, dumb. But dumb in the best way. I love it. I keep finding myself giggling while rolling my eyes.

I'm amazed that they can do these sketches so deadpan. The "Sonoma Public Access I see you and I hear you" sketches are so awkward. It is so much fun watching the guests completely crack.

The episodes are really short, perfect for when you have just a bit of time to fill and want a quick laugh.

Give it a try for a few episodes, and just go into it knowing that it is SO stupid. Let your expectations go and just enjoy!

I haven't watched youtube videos of Jinkx, which are supposed to be an inspiration for this show. This seems like the format of acting challenges from Drag Race, but without the context that makes those awful attempts kinda funny and the scenes are just too long and without jokes. Jinkx always dominated in acting challenges, which is why this is so weird. Were those challenges all that she can deliver? Transfer to a TV format was unsuccessful. I think they need better writers for this show, or better, they need good writers. This feels like a project kids would do in high school, just to entertain each other. The Katydids started as youtube sensations and they managed to transfer to TV. I think I'll rather watch "Teachers" for the n-th time. Jinkx, snap out of it. You are better than this.