Scene from the episode with Gigi Goode and Nicky Doll in charge of deciding what acting roles they choose for the remaining contestants in the Werk Room.
"Gay's Anatomy" is the fifth episode of the twelfth season of the American television series RuPaul's Drag Race, which first aired on March 27, 2020, through American cable network VH1. It was followed by an episode of the companion series RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked. The episode has the remaining contestants overact in a parody based on the medical drama series, Grey's Anatomy. Normani serves as a guest judge, alongside regular panelists RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Carson Kressley.
In the episode "Gay's Anatomy", American singer and dancer Normani (left, pictured in 2019) is a guest judge and Nicky Doll (right, pictured in 2022) is eliminated from the competition.
The acting challenge and character roles are a spoof of the American medical drama series Grey's Anatomy. Gigi Goode decides to take the role of Dr. Tizzy Stevens (Izzie Stevens) with Nicki Doll portraying Baby Dearest; Widow Von'Du is assigned with Mimi Dearest.[3] Jackie Cox and Jan are chosen to be Meredith Gay (Meredith Grey). Jaida Essence Hall, Brita, and Sherry Pie are given the roles of Rhonda Shimes (Shonda Rhimes), Dr. Sandra Okurrr (Sandra Oh), and Dr. Mother Gay, respectively.[4]
RuPaul introduces Normani as the guest judge, alongside regular panelist Michelle Visage and alternating judge Carson Kressley.[5] The runway category is "Planet of the Capes", which requires the contestants to present looks with capes. Aiden Zhane's outfit references The Silence of the Lambs (1991), and Gigi Goode showcases a look inspired by Troop Beverly Hills (1989).[6] Sherry Pie wears an Elvis Presley-inspired outfit.[7] RuPaul declares Sherry Pie as the winner of the main challenge, earning her a cash tip of $5,000.[a]
Aiden Zhane, Gigi Goode, Jan, Jackie Cox, and Widow Von'Du receive positive critiques and are deemed safe. Brita, Crystal Methyd, Heidi N Closet, Jaida Essence Hall, and Nicky Doll receive negative critiques.[9] The contestants leave the stage and the judges deliberate. Heidi N Closet and Nicky Doll place in the bottom two and face off in a lip-sync contest to "Heart to Break" (2018) by Kim Petras. Nicki Doll is eliminated from the competition, and returns to the Werk Room to write a message on the mirror for the contestants using lipstick.[10]
The 63-minute episode was directed by Nick Murray, and originally aired on VH1 in the U.S. on March 27, 2020. The episode's premiere was seen by close to 630,000 viewers.[11] A disclaimer regarding the catfishing allegations of Joey Gugliemelli (also known as Sherry Pie) from VH1 appears in every episode;[12] VH1 also excluded footage of them aside from episodes three and five.[13]World of Wonder, the production company behind the reality competition, donated $5,000 to The Trevor Project due to the disqualified contestant winning.[8]
After its episode premiere including the companion series, Brita issued an apology on Twitter for her actions towards Aiden Zhane, and expressed, "It is obviously not okay to bring one of my sisters down just because I was feeling a certain way".[14] Nicki Doll told Gay Times that she "needed to fight twice as hard to show my personality" and felt "like it was an All Stars season."[15] Previously eliminated contestants Dahlia Sin and Rock M. Sakura shared on social media what they would have worn for the runway had they still been in the competition.[16]
Dylan B. Jones of The Guardian said the episode started with Gigi Goode crying due to the recent elimination and "will never not be good [television]" and will not surpass Julianne Moore crying. The acting challenge was described as "throwing things up in the air" and believes Nicky Doll is set to be eliminated. He also mentions the rivalry storyline involving Aiden Zhane is too "predictable" and will "start to run thin pretty quick."[17] In a four out of five review, Paul McCallion of Vulture said the acting challenge "cements itself as one of the better installments" such as "Breastworld". McCalliion praised Brita and said he "can attest to the star quality she exudes on stage."[18] Kate Kulzick of The A.V. Club gave the episode a rating of B+ and said the parody draws many "memorable installments" of Grey's Anatomy. Some contestants were "standouts but no lowlights" and criticized the judging panel being "vague".[19] Jom Elauria of Screen Rant included the sketch parody in a list comprising the series ten best-acting challenges in 2022.[20]
Television
United States
