Why RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars 10’s Bracket System is Ruining the Fun for Fans!

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Without a doubt, RuPaul’s Drag Race stands among the finest reality shows ever made, and it often delights fans with multiple seasons each year. Following the conclusion of Season 17, we’ve been gifted with All-Stars 10 (available through a Paramount+ subscription). Although I thoroughly enjoyed the double premiere, I must admit that the tournament format is starting to bother me somewhat.

As some viewers are still figuring out how to catch up with RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars 10, I’ve already binge-watched the first two episodes. The opening episode was an enjoyable watch, and it was even more delightful due to fan favorites like Aja. Now we’re on Episode 3, which continues to focus on Bracket 1. I’m eagerly anticipating the unfolding drama, but I’m disappointed that we won’t get to see other contestants just yet. The bracket system separates the queens, and I find it hard to adapt to this new format… even though the season has been incredibly entertaining up until now.

I Hate That We’ve Only Seen Half The Cast.

From day one, I’ve been a devoted fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, tuning into the original, slightly hazy season on Logo all the way back in 2009. It has since grown into an Emmy-winning phenomenon, but I must confess that when the show undergoes significant format changes, I can be reluctant to embrace them. The bracket system piques my interest, yet I yearn for a method to highlight more of the competitors in these early episodes.

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Perhaps an approach could involve using parentheses interchangeably for each episode, but considering how Drag Race is filmed, this would lead to watching the series out of order. It seems there’s no simple way to alleviate my unease without dropping the plot device entirely, so I’ll just need to endure my discomfort while catching up each Friday.

I’m Going To Miss The First Group When They’re Gone.

It’s peculiar that more than half of the cast from All-Stars 10 haven’t appeared on our screens yet, and it will feel even more unusual when the initial contestants are absent for prolonged periods during the competition. Characters like Bosco and Irene the Alien (assuming they make it past their initial grouping and advance in the competition) will win our affection, only to disappear for weeks as subsequent groups go through the same elimination process. The first two episodes have been thrilling, but I must confess that I’m experiencing some growing pains.

Indeed, I understand the advantages in having smaller groups, as it provides more individual spotlight for each contestant in an episode, since the focus is solely on one group of queens. This is why split premieres of shows like Drag Race, dating back to Season 6, have proven effective. However, the reality that we won’t witness the complete cast interacting as a single group during this season of All-Stars is disappointing for someone like me who appreciates observing their collective dynamics and camaraderie.

Fresh installments of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars” can be streamed every Friday on Paramount+, kicking off their 2025 TV debut schedule. As we progress through this season, it will be interesting to see how viewers react to the new format.

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2025-05-16 23:07