In a groundbreaking concept, Murray Hill hosts “Drag Me to Dinner,” a captivating drag competition series where queens are teamed up and challenged to throw extraordinary dinner parties. With each episode featuring two duos in a culinary face-off, the stakes are high as only one pair emerges as the victorious host. Renowned personalities Neil Patrick Harris, Bianca Del Rio, and Haneefah Wood grace the judging panel, while David Burtka lends his expertise as an advisor.
This exciting new show showcases over 40 drag performers, many of whom have already gained fame through their appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Del Rio, a seasoned drag superstar, expresses her enthusiasm, stating, “Because I was a Drag Race viewer myself, I’ve been judging these queens in my living room for years. So here was the opportunity to tell them what I thought. And trust me, I did not hold back from saying, ‘This is a sh*tty dinner party,’ because that’s what I was there for.”
Hill, too, commends the originality of Drag Me to Dinner, as it allows the queens to demonstrate their strengths and vibrant personalities. Beyond mere appearances and dance skills, the show delves into the multifaceted portrayal of drag queens, granting viewers a three-dimensional experience. Hill explains, “They get to talk, they get to improv, they get to shtick. We get to see a three-dimensional portrayal of drag queens. And it’s not like, ‘My outfit’s so great’ or ‘I’m trying to dance the best.’ We get to see the queens for who they are.”
As stars and executive producers of the show, Harris and Burtka approached Drag Me to Dinner as avid fans of drag, resulting in a joyous and exhilarating filming experience. Harris remarks, “I wanted to make sure that the tone and the sense of humor was respecting the drag viewing audience. All of these people are sharp, smart, funny, quick. They don’t need to be told the rules over and over. In fact, let’s just pretend like the rules don’t really exist. So that was our ethos: it’s a sloppy, hot mess of a show, and I couldn’t be more proud of it.”
In a time where anti-drag sentiments persist among conservatives, Harris and Burtka recognize the significance of portraying these queens as immensely talented artists who bring positivity to the world. Burtka emphasizes, “I’m glad everyone gets to see these queens in a light that they don’t normally get to be seen in. They could just show who they actually really are as performers. You see their personalities shine through the whole show, which was really important for me and Neil.”
“Drag Me to Dinner” is now available for streaming on Hulu, providing viewers with an opportunity to witness the charisma, talent, and infectious energy of these extraordinary drag queens firsthand. Prepare for a feast of entertainment and celebrate the bright lights that illuminate the drag community.
