'RuPaul's Drag Race' Is Returning to 90-Minute Episodes Following Fan Outcry
Feb. 10 2023, Updated 1:33 p.m. ET
Are you looking to feast your eyes on sickening, campy, fishy, gag-worthy drag excellence? On queens who are skilled at twirling and kicking the house down? Look no further than iconic reality competition show RuPaul's Drag Race. Since 2009's Season 1 (which saw BeBe Zahara Benet take home the crown), RuPaul's Drag Race has thrown talented drag queens into the ring, where they compete in various challenges that test their skills in acting, comedy, fashion, design, dancing, and lip-syncing.
Now on Season 15 — which boasts both the biggest cast (16 contestants) and the biggest grand prize ($200,000) yet— the Emmy-winning series is sashaying its way over to MTV. Previously, Drag Race called VH1 its home, and before that it aired on Logo TV.
Though the move to MTV has already proven to be wonderful for the franchise, superfans aren't pleased with one particular thing: Drag Race episodes will be just one hour moving forward. The gaggerini of it all. Let's discuss the sudden change.
Why was 'RuPaul's Drag Race' shortened to one hour in length?
From Season 10 to Season 14, Drag Race blessed viewers with 90-minute episodes. Now, a half hour of joy is being cut from each Season 15 episode. The drag gods clearly aren't doing their jobs.
As for why Drag Race episodes are being cut down, it concerns the release of MTV's newest reality series, The Real Friends of WeHo, which premiered on Jan. 20, 2023, at 9 p.m. EST ... right after Drag Race.
"The reason for the shortened episodes is to lean into the opportunity to build a destination night by using the existing hit franchise to launch a new series like The Real Friends of WeHo," sources told Deadline.
The Real Friends of WeHo gives viewers an “unfiltered and honest look at a select group of friends living, loving, and pursuing their passions in the West Hollywood community.”
Its cast includes Brad Goreski and Todrick Hall — both of whom frequently appear on RuPaul's Drag Race — as well as Curtis Hamilton, Dorión Renaud, Jaymes Vaughan, and Joey Zauzig.
'RuPaul's Drag Race' is returning to 90-minute episodes — but when?
On Feb. 9, viewers learned that 90-minute episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race would be returning on March 10 — much to fans' relief. The announcement was made on the show's Instagram account, and users flocked to the comments to express their joy.
One person declared, "Can I get an amen?!"
Another user wrote, "Thank you for listening to your audience."
Yet another exclaimed, "We did it, Joe!"
Hopefully, MTV learned its lesson — and the 90-minute episodes will be here to stay.
Season 15 episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race air on Fridays at 8 p.m. EST on MTV.
