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Squirrel Games
"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 had the selected contestants participate in a talent show, afterwards the unselected contestants were given the chance to rank their competitors. Katy Perry served as a guest judge, alongside regular panelists RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Carson Kressley. Suzie Toot won 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_(54206733094)_(cropped_2).jpg) 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 performed and played guitar, with Arrietty danced in a traditional dress involving baile folklórico. Subsequently, there were three original lip-syncs : 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, Lydia B Kollins did a burlesque-comedy routine and Suzie Toot recited 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 were 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 won the lip-sync contest and earns herself a cash prize of $5,000.[9] Production"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"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 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 resembled the Jean-Paul Gaultier pink conical-bra corset made 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 presented a white dress dripping in blood, Jewels Sparkles showcased an Ariana Grande-inspired blue gown, and Joella had 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 as a Moonman statuesque from the MTV Video Music Awards, and Lucky Starzzz had a pizza box and wore a pizza-inspired catsuit.[21][22] ReceptionJason Frank, for entertainment website Vulture, wrote that he laughed when previous contenders being "pelted by pies" from the spoof challenge. Throughout the talent show, most of the performances were described as "forgettable" and did not "steal control of the camera's eye". Frank criticized the lip-sync song selection as "actively bad to the point of camp" and wrote that it gave an opportunity for Suzie Toot to win against Jewels Sparkles.[23] Belen Edwards, in digital media Mashable, enjoyed the lip-sync contest with Jewels Sparkles acting out a flexible "high-energy" choreograph, writing that with Suzie Toot tap dancing she "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, named 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 alsoReferences
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