Tread Perilously is a podcast in which hosts Erik Amaya and author Justin Robinson watch the “worst” episodes of popular TV shows, attempting to determine if they would continue to watch the series based on the most off-key moments.

This Week: RuPaul’s Drag Race‘s “ShakesQueer”

Tread Perilously begins Total Request 4 — a month of requests from the top tier Patreon subscribers — with the challenge of a competition reality show! The program: RuPaul’s Drag Race. The episode: “ShakesQueer”

When the contestants are tasked to stage Drag-ified productions of Shakespeare plays, it becomes obvious one team is better suited to the job than the other. Will a decision made because of friendship sink Kennedy Davenport’s prospects of winning the whole season? Will the revised version of MacBeth, “MacBitch,” prove not to be the slam-dunk it should be? And will a truly remarkable gown be enough to prevent one contestant from being eliminated?

Erik wishes he could be more catty like the contestants. Justin is surprised by Erik’s choice of weekly savior. It leads to a discussion of Natalie Portman. Both reveal the reality shows they actually watch and how it informs their appreciation of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Erik senses a sinister undercurrent in the editing of a certain team’s story. He also admits he does not know how the kids feel about Shakespeare. Justin recalls the use of Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet in Southern California literature education. Erik discusses his dislike of Baz Luhrmann’s filmography. And, somehow, a Star Wars digression occurs.

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