Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race can now rejoice as the show returns to 90-minute episodes, starting with Season 15. The announcement was made on February 9, 2023, on the show’s official Twitter account, after a series of handwritten notes from Todrick Hall defending The Real Friends of WeHo. The change to 60-minute episodes had been made due to The Real Friends of WeHo airing between Drag Race and Untucked.
The show had faced controversy following its network switch to MTV and the placement of The Real Friends of WeHo between Drag Race and Untucked. This led to a petition that received thousands of signatures. Many fans were unhappy with the hour-long episodes, which had limited the airtime for contestants.
The announcement of the show’s return to 90-minute episodes was met with mixed reactions from fans. While some celebrated the news, others were not pleased that it would take another month for the extended episodes to return. The show’s queens celebrated the news on Twitter.
Season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race features 16 new queens competing for the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar,” with a cash prize of $200,000. The season will also feature guest judges including Ali Wong, Amandla Stenberg, Harvey Guillén, Hayley Kiyoko, Julia Garner, Janelle Monáe, Maren Morris, Megan Stalter, and Orville Peck. The Exhibit: Finding the Next Great Artist will premiere on March 3 at 9 PM following Drag Race from 8-9 PM, with Untucked airing at 10 PM. The new 90-minute episodes will begin airing on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 8/7c on MTV.
The return of 90-minute episodes is a welcome change for fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race, who will now be able to see more of their favorite contestants. This also suggests that the show’s producers are taking the concerns of the fans seriously and are willing to make changes to improve the show. The inclusion of a diverse range of guest judges further highlights the show’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. It remains to be seen how the new episode length will affect the show’s ratings and overall success. Nonetheless, this change shows that the show’s producers are listening to feedback and are committed to keeping the show fresh and exciting.
