5 Drag Race Challenges That Should Return & 5 That Should Sashay Away

#5: Sashay Away: Talent Show

Introduced in “All Stars 2,” the talent competition was a great addition. It was a chance for the queens to showcase their unique talents in a way that other maxi-challenges might not let them. Queens brought some truly wild skills to the mainstage as a result. Once it became a faithful part of every season, though, it became clear there are only so many lip syncs and goofy novelty numbers you can watch before the originality drains away. The talent show has become more about trying to game the system than showing the judges a unique talent. Lip sync stunt showcases start to run together after a while, and there’s already a place for that in the competition. It’s called the bottom two.

#5: Come Back: Original Snatch Game

The celebrity impersonation challenge has been one of the show’s perennial favorites. In recent years, though, the “Snatch Game” has taken some detours. It started on “All Stars,” when the show introduced the “Snatch Game of Love” format, a parody of “The Dating Game.” Season 18 saw the first time a new format hit the main series. We’re hoping the “Snatch Game of Love Island” variation is not here to stay. The original version is great because it gives the queens free reign to take jokes where they want, without the distraction of the dating show framework. RuPaul’s fill-in-the-blank questions are harder to plan for, and “Snatch Game” should be sink or swim.

#4: Sashay Away: Rumix Challenge

Season 2 of “All Stars” introduced the challenge that tasked the contestants with writing and performing their own rap verses to RuPaul songs. It’s understandable they’d keep bringing it back. “Read U Wrote U” is probably one of the best things to come out of a “Drag Race” maxi-challenge. However, the Rumix maxi-challenge has made appearances in nearly every season since, often with diminishing returns. Frankly, we can only hear so many lyrics about snatching wigs and snatching crowns before it starts to feel repetitive. Season 17 and 18 ditched the Rumix altogether, and we’d be fine if the trend continues.

#4: Come Back: Drag Movie Shequels

Why do a remake when you can do a shequel? The queens of “All Stars” season 2 breathed new life into several classics, appearing in parodic sequels to movies like “Showgirls” and “Thelma & Louise.” Despite some choice moments from its first and only appearance, the Drag Movie Shequels challenge has yet to make a return. It’s a shame because there are so many options. We want to see dragged-up, queen-centric sequels to “Mean Girls,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” or “Valley of the Dolls.” This one could be the gift that keeps on giving if they ever bring it back.

#3: Sashay Away: “RDR Live”

Sketch comedy’s been done on “Drag Race” before, but the breezy, one-take live nature of “RDR Live” seemed like a welcome change to the challenge lineup. First appearing on “All Stars” 8, it made a pretty successful jump to the main series for season 16. Since then, its zany and fast-paced mini-variety show format has only worn thin. Seasons 17 and 18 saw less successful attempts. The big problem with the sketches here is the writing. There’s an art to this kind of comedy, and even the most talented queens can’t make some of these clumsy jokes land.

#3: Come Back: Music Video Challenge

During the first eight seasons, “Drag Race” finalists were put through one final trial. This last challenge would have them appearing alongside RuPaul in the music video for her latest single. It was shoved aside for the Lip Sync Smackdown for the Crown and the Rumix challenge later on, but it’s time for the music video to make a comeback. They would prove themselves in several areas, including lip syncing, posing, acting, and dancing. It was like the great equalizer, highlighting different queens’ varying strengths and helping make the case for who and who would not make it to the finals.

#2: Sashay Away: Lip Sync LaLaPaRuZa Smackdown

Every season, the queens compete in a bracket-style lip sync tournament. The Lip Sync LaLaPaRuZa has served very different purposes over the years. Sometimes, the winner receives a separate cash prize. Other times, the loser of the competition goes home. It’s even been a way for eliminated queens to win re-entry into the season. The LaLaPaRuZa has given us some great moments, but the inconsistency and the choice of songs often leaves viewers wanting. Lackluster smackdowns in recent years might be a sign that the formula has run stale and might need to go on the shelf for a while.

#2: Come Back: Makeover Challenge (with the Other Queens)

How a queen paints her face is very personal. When the queens aren’t making over strangers, members of the crew, or family members, they’re sometimes paired with each other. Watching them put their face on another queen could be an emotional rollercoaster or it could be a hilarious disaster. Season 7 probably had the best version of this challenge. The queens were asked to makeover an eliminated contestant who would be welcomed back into the competition if their partner won. Whatever the stakes, it’s easily one of the most entertaining challenges ever featured on the show.

#1: Sashay Away: Makeover Challenge

We’re not sure what RuPaul means by “drag family resemblance,” and at this point, we’re too annoyed to ask. Near the end of a season, queens will be tasked with turning another drag newbie into their drag daughter. While we’ve gotten some absolute gold over the years, if Season 18 proved anything, it’s that this challenge is the one that’s in desperate need of a makeover. From inconsistent criteria to wonky judging, this one has been on the chopping block for a long time. No more makeover challenges until we figure out what’s going on.

#1: Come Back: Drag on a Dime

These days, “Drag Race” is a major investment. Constantly raising the bar for fashions, the queens spend thousands on their runway packages. But there’s something to be said for good, old-fashioned drag ingenuity. The “Drag on a Dime” challenge appeared in the very first episode ever, and it really needs to make a comeback. It forces the queens to design looks based on what they can find and where their own skills lie. Anyone can throw on a beautifully designed garment. Not everyone can make one. It demonstrates taste level like no other design challenge can.

Which “Drag Race” challenges need to make their grand Ru-turn? Tell us in the comments.