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"Squirrel Games"
RuPaul's Drag Race episode
Episode no.Season 17
Episode 1
Directed byNick Murray
Presented byRuPaul
Featured music"Woman's World"
by Katy Perry
Original air dateJanuary 3, 2025 (2025-01-03)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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"Grand Finale" 		Next →
"Drag Queens Got Talent – Part 2"
RuPaul's Drag Race season 17
List of episodes

"Squirrel Games" is the seventeenth season premiere of the American reality competition television series RuPaul's Drag Race, and the 224th episode overall. The episode first aired in the United States through cable network MTV on January 3, 2025. It was followed by an episode of the companion series RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked.

The episode has the selected contestants participate in a talent show, afterwards the unselected contestants are given the chance to rank their competitors. Katy Perry serves as a guest judge, alongside regular panelists RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Carson Kressley. Suzie Toot wins the main challenge, after placing in the top two and winning a lip-sync contest against Jewels Sparkles to "Woman's World" (2024) by Katy Perry.

According to Nielsen Media Research (NMR), the episode was seen close to 671,000 household viewers and gained a 0.24 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. "Squirrel Games" received positive reviews from critics who praised the parody act based on South Korean dystopian survival series Squid Game (2021–2025).

Episode

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Katy Perry (pictured in 2024) is a guest judge.

Fourteen contestants are transported to an undisclosed location where they are joined with several previous competitors from the franchise. To continue in the competition, the drag performers play a children's game of Red Light, Green Light.[1] Replacing its traditional rules, music is played and contenders have to dance across the field, when it stops, they strike a pose. Any movement detected cause the player to be pied in the face and eliminated. Afterwards, the remaining fourteen contestants who "survived" the first game are allowed to enter the workroom.[2]

As the contestants meet each other, RuPaul revealed the contenders, without knowing, competed in their first photoshoot mini-challenge. Lana Ja'Rae is deemed the winner, earning a cash tip of $2,500.[3] RuPaul announces the first main challenge, tasking contestants with forming two groups to participate in a talent show spanning two episodes. The next day, the contestants prepare and American singer Katy Perry enters the workroom requesting tucking tape; the singer immediately recognizes Joella.[4] Perry offers advice for success.[5]

RuPaul introduces Katy Perry as the guest judge, alongside regular panelist Michelle Visage and alternating judge Carson Kressley.[6] "Masc for Masked Singer" is the runway category which requires contestants preseting their mask-themed outfits. During the talent show, Acacia Forgot live performed and played guitar, with Arrietty danced in a traditional dress involving baile folklórico. Subsequently, three original lip-syncs were shown: Jewels Sparkles choreographed a milk-themed song,[7] Joella performed a song referring to her drag name, and Lucky Starzzz lip-synced about making lemonade. Lastly, a burlesque-comedy routine was enacted by Lydia B Kollins, and Suzie Toot recites the "Gettysburg Address" (1863) in morse code via tap dancing.[8]

Acacia Forgot was revealed to be placed last in the ranking and will be lip-syncing next week. Jewels Sparkles and Suzie Toot are ranked as the top two contestants for the week and face off in a lip-sync contest to Perry's "Woman's World" (2024). Suzie Toot wins the lip-sync contest and earns herself a cash prize of $5,000.[9]

Production

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"Squirrel Games" was previewed in a lengthy promotional trailer for season seventeen on December 12, 2024. This included various scenes such as the ranking formats and talent show.[10] An online video was released featuring the first ten minutes of the episode through YouTube. It showcased the reappearance of Lil' Poundcake, a fictional character created by Alaska Thunderfuck and Lineysha Sparx from the competition series.[11]

The season seventeen premiere episode was directed by Nick Murray.[12] The episode opens with a comedic challenge and character roles being an ironic imitation of the South Korean dystopian survival series Squid Game (2021–2025);[13] coincidentally, its second season was released a week prior the episode aired.[14] Various cameo appearances were made from past contestants such as Angeria Paris VanMichaels, Aura Mayari, Jaymes Mansfield, Kerri Colby, Kylie Sonique Love, Mayhem Miller, Morgan McMichaels, Trinity the Tuck, and lastly Victoria "Porkchop" Parker.[15]

Broadcast

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"Squirrel Games" was originally broadcast through MTV in the United States on January 3, 2025. The episode was seen approximately from 671,000 viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research (NMR). The viewership received a five percent drop compared to its previous season premiere.[16] The episode was later released on January 4 throughout streaming services; via Crave for Canada, Stan for Australia, and on WOW Presents Plus internationally with next-day availability.[17]

Fashion

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The conical-bra Jean-Paul Gaultier piece (pictured) resembling Perry's oversized champagne gown.

Entering the workroom, Perry debuted with an all black punk fashion attire wearing sunglasses, a hoodie appearing the phrase "sex symbol" in all uppercase letters, with knee-length boots.[18] Appearing on the main stage, Perry wore a champagne "boudoir-inspired" outfit that resembles a Jean-Paul Gaultier pink conical-bra corset dressed for American singer and record producer Madonna. The "part-avant garde" gown was designed by Judassime; as for the choker, it featured an "oversized silver ring detail" customized by Zana Bayne.[19]

For the runway category, Acacia Forgot wore a catsuit with a grumpy snowman helmet, Arrietty presents a white dress dripping in blood, as Jewels Sparkles showcases an Ariana Grande-inspired blue gown, and Joella has an outer space-inspired illusion.[20] Crystal Envy dressed as a porcelain doll which revealed a cracked skull, Hormona Lisa displayed a black gown resembling a skunk, with Lexi Love presented a Moonman statuesque from the MTV Video Music Awards, and Lucky Starzzz having a pizza box and wears a pizza-inspired catsuit.[21][22]

Reception

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Jason Frank for entertainment website Vulture, laughed when previous contenders being "pelted by pies" from the spoof challenge. Throughout the talent show, most of the perfomances were described as "forgettable" and did not "stole control of the camera's eye". Frank soon criticized the lip-sync song selection as "actively bad to the point of camp" gave an opportunity for Suzie Toot to win against Jewels Sparkles.[23]

Belen Edwards wrote for digital media Mashable, showed their enjoyment for the lip-sync contest with Jewels Sparkles acting out a flexible "high-energy" choreograph, with Suzie Toot tap dancing and "breaks out a perfectly timed Charleston".[24] Edwards also acknowledged the negative criticism shown for "Woman's World" with the involvement of Dr. Luke in the song's production; American singer Kesha previously accused him of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.[25]

Kevin O'Keeffe of online publication Xtra Magazine, names the episode "solid" and "does a good job of introducing us to the queens, it breaks up the talent shows nicely and it’s just twisty enough to keep things interesting." Repetitive lip-syncs were shown in the episode but O'Keeffe soon realized "those performances win", mentioning the premiere episode for season fourteen.[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Block, Michael (January 3, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race just won the perfect Squid Game twist". Collider. Valnet. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  2. ^ Yee, Lawrence (January 2, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 17: Watch the first 10 minutes of the Squid Game-themed premiere". People. Dotdash Meredith. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  3. ^ Robledo, Jordan (January 4, 2025). "'I'm living for it': Fans react to Drag Race season 17's twist-filled premiere episode". Gay Times. Archived from the original on January 5, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  4. ^ Osei-Tutu, Demetria (January 3, 2025). "Katy Perry meets old fan on RuPaul's Drag Race, leaving viewers 'gagged'". The Mirror US. Reach plc. Archived from the original on January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  5. ^ Mier, Tomás (January 3, 2025). "Watch Katy Perry surprise the RuPaul's Drag Race queens in season 17 premiere". Rolling Stone. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Daw, Stephen (December 12, 2024). "Katy Perry is sashaying onto the RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 premiere". Billboard. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on December 26, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  7. ^ Villa, Lucas (January 4, 2025). "The Latina queens on Drag Race season 17 proudly represented their roots in season premiere". Remezcla. Archived from the original on January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  8. ^ Benutty, Joey (January 7, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race 17 group one power rankings from best (Suzie Toot) to worst (Joella)". Gold Derby. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  9. ^ Huff, Matthew (January 3, 2025). "Sashay away! Who was eliminated in the RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 premiere?". Parade. Parade Media. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  10. ^ Huff, Matthew (December 12, 2024). "RuPaul's Drag Race drops season 17 trailer with deranged new twist". Parade. Parade Media. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  11. ^ "Drag queens turn deadly: RuPaul's Drag Race launches season 17 with Squid Game parody". The Express Tribune. January 3, 2025. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  12. ^ "Squirrel Games". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  13. ^ Brocklehurst, Harrison (January 3, 2025). "No way: The new season of Drag Race is starting with a wild Squid Game challenge". The Tab. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  14. ^ Palmer, Haasch (May 15, 2024). "Squid Game season 2 is coming in December, according to its star Lee Jung-jae". Business Insider. Insider Inc. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  15. ^ Wratten, Marcus (January 3, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 gags fans with wild Squid Game challenge". PinkNews. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  16. ^ Pucci, Douglas (January 6, 2025). "Friday Ratings: RuPaul's Drag Race on MTV premieres its 17th season". Programming Insider. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  17. ^ Wardley, Tom (January 3, 2025). "How to watch RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 online and from anywhere". Tom's Guide. Future plc. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  18. ^ Narayanan, Varsha (January 7, 2025). "Katy Perry blends BDSM with chic in cone bra dress for RuPaul's Drag Race". Mandatory. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  19. ^ Lapid, Alyssa (January 6, 2025). "Katy Perry's cone bra dress was a boudoir-inspired masterpiece". Bustle. Archived from the original on January 9, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  20. ^ Swift, Andy (January 3, 2025). "Drag Race mashes Squid Game with America's Got Talent in nightmare-inducing season 17 premiere". TVLine. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  21. ^ DeLellis, Trae (January 3, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race review: Here's what happened on the season 17 premiere". Miami New Times. Voice Media Group. Archived from the original on January 5, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  22. ^ O'Keeffe, Kevin (January 6, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 17, episode 1 power ranking: The first seven queens". Xtra Magazine. Pink Triangle Press. Archived from the original on January 7, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  23. ^ Frank, Jason P. (January 3, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race season-premiere recap: It's a Suzie's world". Vulture. Vox Media. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  24. ^ Edwards, Belen (January 9, 2025). "Help, I can't stop thinking about Suzie Toot's "Woman's World" lip sync". Mashable. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 15, 2025. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  25. ^ Melendez, Miguel (July 11, 2024). "Katy Perry receives pushback for having Dr. Luke produce "Woman's World" song after his Kesha legal drama". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  26. ^ O'Keeffe, Kevin (January 6, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 premiere recap: Hey Squirrel (Games) friend!". Xtra Magazine. Pink Triangle Press. Archived from the original on January 7, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.

Further reading

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