'RuPaul's Drag Race' Enters Drag Banning Controversy with Best 'Rusical' in Years

"RuPaul's Drag Race" entered the political fracas over banning drag on Friday night's episode, and did so with the best Rusical in years. The show, which concentrates more on highlighting empowering stories of its individual candidates, took a solid stand on the growing challenge to drag culture in the United States.

On the show, the challenge was a Rusical called "Dragloose," a parody of "Footloose," the difference being that instead of dancing being banned in a small Midwestern town, it is drag that gets the boot.

As the Insider comments: "'Wigloose,' then, is about a town in which drag is banned. It is a shockingly, almost startlingly prescient moment for 'Drag Race,' a show that, with its nonpartisan 'vote' signs, Nancy Pelosi Is Mother messaging, and toothless 'Trump: The Rusical' challenge, has rarely been on top of the political ball. And yet with drag, queerness, and trans people specifically facing so much persecution and outright hatred right now, this stupid drag musical somehow manages to cultivate a feeling of righteousness. Maybe it's because the show mostly manages not to shout at me how important this musical is, or maybe I'm just scared, but for the first time in a long time, 'Drag Race' did something marginally political and I did not roll my eyes at the centrist cheese of it all. Progress!"

AV Club reports:: "Taking place in a small town where drag is outlawed, this week's challenge is like a ripped-from-the-headlines episode of 'Law & Order.' Anticipating the recent anti-drag legislation passed in Tennessee, 'Drag Race' tackles the bigotry and dangers of a reenergized anti-Queer movement through song and dance."

AV Club called this Rusical one of the best in the history of the genre. "A staple since Season 6, this is one of the franchise's greatest rusicals in recent memory, if not since the original 'Shade: The Rusical.' Colorful, feel-good, and high energy, 'Wigloose' also conveys an important message. Modeled after 'Footloose' with touches of 'Spring Awakening,' it is a cautionary tale about the dangers of repressive regimes and the power of self-expression through the art of drag. From the staging to the editing, choreography, and costuming, the technical production is perfection. Each musical number entertains while also moving the larger story along. While deeply indebted to its inspirational sources, 'Wigloose' excels because of its solid and emotional narrative. Each part and performance, no matter the size, feels essential to the story and has a moment to shine. Every queen absolutely nails their parts and no one hits a false note. Judging from the smiles on the judges' faces this episode should end with a lip sync for the win, rather than a lip sync for your life."