The Rumor Mill: August 25, 2025

In this episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Recap, hosts Joe Betance and Nathan Patrick Brown discuss the latest episode, including the challenges faced by the contestants, the controversial comments made by Mr. Blackstone, and the implications of the lip sync battles. They also analyze the performances of the queens in the latest maxi challenge. In this episode, the hosts discuss various aspects of the latest Drag Race episode, including the joy of live viewing parties, the communal experience of laughter, and the challenges faced by contestants. They delve into the significance of table visits, the complexities of poverty and connections, and the dynamics of conflict resolution in the workroom. The conversation culminates in reflections on elimination day and the overall impact of the episode. Patreon: patreon.com/afterthoughtmedia Voicemail: speakpipe.com/afterthoughtmedia Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The Rumor Mill, Joe and Nathan dive into the latest tea from the world of Drag Race and beyond. Patreon & Apple Podcasts Updates: Joe lifts the “embargo” on voicemails and breaks down all the ways you can get exclusive Afterthought Media content, including Slaysian Royale and the return of Dragula. Cultural Misunderstandings: A discussion on Slaysian Royale sparks listener feedback about Filipino humor, translation quirks, and the use of words like “auspicious.” Joe and Nathan unpack the comments, reflect on cultural nuance, and talk about why covering international seasons can be tricky. Listener Voicemail: Laura from the Sutherland Shire shares how the podcasts have been with her through major life milestones—from earning a nursing degree to starting a family. She’s even moving closer to Nathan’s hometown, leading to talk of theatre productions, beaches, and life in Wollongong. Shea Couleé Drama: The big news of the week—Shea’s drag daughters have all dropped the Couleé name. Joe and Nathan cover the story, explore the daughters’ cryptic statements, and question what’s really going on behind the vague-booking. Joe even makes a bold pitch inviting them to spill the tea on The Rumor Mill. Theme Song Fun: Nathan reacts to a new, very “Australian” variation of his theme song and Joe revisits the AI-generated Rumor Mill jingle. Pop Culture Tangents: From Australian Survivor to Disneyland’s Gay Days, the hosts mix in stories of cousins, concerts, and cultural quirks that only Joe and Nathan could deliver. It’s a lively mix of hot tea, cultural commentary, listener love, and sharp Drag Race gossip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Recap, hosts Joe Betance and Nathan Patrick Brown discuss the latest episode titled 'RDR Live.' They delve into the technical issues faced during the recording, the ongoing drama within the drag community, and provide a detailed overview of the episode's events, including the lip sync battle and the controversial badonkadonk twist. The hosts also share their takeaways from the episode, highlighting the delusions of some contestants and the need for better writing in the challenges. In this episode, Nathan and Joe delve into the dynamics of the workroom, discussing the contestants' strategies, character choices, and the challenges they face in sketch performances. They critique the writing quality of the sketches, particularly focusing on the caveman sketch and the Golden Girls parody, while also analyzing RuPaul's humor and cultural references. The conversation highlights the importance of character consistency and the impact of writing on performance quality. In this episode of the Drag Race Recap, Nathan and Joe discuss the latest elimination day, the behind-the-scenes drama among contestants, and the runway looks that wowed and disappointed. They critique the performances and fashion choices of the queens, highlighting the dynamics of competition and personal opinions on the contestants' journeys. The conversation flows through various themes, including celebrity crushes, fashion critiques, and the overall impact of the episode on the competition. Patreon: patreon.com/afterthoughtmedia Voicemail: speakpipe.com/afterthoughtmedia Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a slow drama week, but Joe and Nathan still deliver plenty of chaos, laughs, and a packed voicemail bag. From Latrice Royale wig-snatching clips to a flood of SpeakPipe messages, the fans keep the conversation going. This week’s highlights include: Joe begging for voicemails… and getting more than he bargained for. Listener April sharing a wild personal backstory that once made headlines. Tim from Atlanta, David from Texas, and Shawn the Kentucky chiropractor all check in with love, tea, and shade. A thoughtful dive into whether Drag Race has a bias against Latin queens. Evan calling in hot from the bars with a Slaysian Royale recap of his own. Plus: awkward break mishaps, favorite drag queens, and Lauri's infamous run-ins with Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick. It’s messy, funny, heartfelt, and very Rumor Mill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Recap, hosts Joe and Nathan discuss Season 17 Episode 4, titled 'Bitch I'm a Drag Queen.' They delve into the controversial opinions surrounding Mr. Blackstone, analyze the recent lip sync battle, and emphasize the significance of the Snatch Game in the competition. The conversation also touches on the emotional reactions of the queens post-elimination and the dynamics of the maxi challenge. In this episode, Joe and Nathan delve into the latest happenings in Drag Race, discussing bizarre moments, team dynamics, and personal stories shared by the contestants. They analyze the studio day performances, the peculiar tumbleweed scene, and the overall quality of the episode compared to previous ones. The conversation also touches on the elimination day reflections, highlighting the contestants' backgrounds and the authenticity of their stories. In this episode of Drag Race Recap, Joe and Nathan delve into the latest episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17, discussing cringe-worthy moments, fashion critiques, and the elimination of Joella. They explore the cultural implications of the contestants' performances and the judges' comments, while also reflecting on the overall quality of the runway looks and performances. The conversation culminates in a discussion about the final moments of the episode and the implications of the critiques given to the contestants. Patreon: patreon.com/afterthoughtmedia Voicemail: speakpipe.com/afterthoughtmedia Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rumor Mill — August 25, 2025 Joe and Nathan are back with a lighter week of Drag Race gossip—but plenty of laughs and tangents to keep things lively. Joe shares how ChatGPT has completely changed the way he preps the show, leading to a deep dive on AI, transcripts, and editing tricks. Listener voicemails spark heartwarming moments and shady commentary, from Sophia’s long history with the podcast to Evan’s sultry recap of Slaysian Royale. Then it’s on to the big story: Drag Race finalist Lexi Love facing a trademark battle over her stage name. Joe and Nathan unpack the messy legal drama, the fan reactions, and whether either side really has the stronger case. Along the way, expect sharp takes on Mistress Isabel Brooks, Gia Gunn, and even a detour into copyright law quirks with Del Taco and Naugles. It’s a short week on rumors, but a full episode of tangents, laughs, and trademark tea. 🔗 Leave us a voicemail: speakpipe.com/afterthoughtmedia 💖 Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/afterthoughtmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Recap, Joe and Nathan discuss Season 17 Episode 3 titled 'Monopulence.' They delve into the mini challenge, the main challenge, and the dynamics between the contestants, highlighting the drama and controversies that arise. The hosts express their opinions on the performances, the contestants' personalities, and the overall production of the episode, comparing it to earlier seasons of the show. In this episode recap of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17, hosts Nathan and Joe delve into the latest table visits, queen ratings, and the drama that unfolds on elimination day. They discuss the runway looks, offering critiques and insights into the contestants' performances, culminating in a lip sync battle that determines who stays and who goes home. The conversation is filled with humor, sharp observations, and a deep dive into the dynamics of the competition. Patreon: patreon.com/afterthoughtmedia Voicemail: speakpipe.com/afterthoughtmedia Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rumor Mill — August 18, 2025 Joe and Nathan are back with another week of drag world news, listener messages, and plenty of shade. This week, they: Compare U.S., U.K., and Australian TV standards, leading to a hilarious detour about Big Brother Uncut and Nathan’s first glimpses of nudity on TV. Break down the disappointing finale of And Just Like That and debate whether Johnny Cakes was secretly hot. Debut a brand-new SpeakPipe jingle and share their first-ever listener voicemails. Trevon calls in to weigh in on Bob and Monet’s race play controversy, while Evan delivers a detailed (and adorable) recap of Slayzian Royale. Cover the headlines: Heidi N Closet’s involvement in ELF Cosmetics’ controversial ad with comedian Matt Rife, and the messy $80 wig drama between Orion Story and Britney Blackout. Talk behind-the-scenes tea on editing, timing, and why listener engagement means so much. Plus, Nathan plugs his Breaking Down Bad Books podcast (now on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) and his new Disneyland vlogs on YouTube, while Joe admits he’s already crushing on Evan’s voice. Send your own SpeakPipe messages at speakpipe.com/afterthoughtmedia and join the conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Recap, hosts Joe and Nathan discuss Season 17 Episode 2, titled 'Drag Talent Show.' They delve into the performances of the queens, the dynamics of the competition, and viewer feedback regarding the podcast's format. The conversation also touches on the runway category and the guest appearance of Lawrence Chaney, exploring the contestants' performances and the overall reception of the episode. In this episode, the hosts delve into various aspects of the latest Drag Race episode, discussing production choices, contestant dynamics, and the authenticity of moments on the show. They explore budding romances among contestants, the confusion surrounding the 'Is It Cake?' challenge, and the character of Hormona Lisa. The conversation also touches on fashion critiques and the contestants' strategies, all while maintaining a humorous and critical tone. In this episode, the hosts delve into various topics ranging from nostalgic advertising to the performances in the latest talent show of RuPaul's Drag Race. They discuss the Coppertone ad featuring Jodie Foster, analyze Lexi Love's fashion choices, critique Hormonalisa's stand-up performance, and explore the dynamics of the competition, including a surprising twist involving a tank of water and a lever. Patreon: patreon.com/afterthoughtmedia Voicemail: speakpipe.com/afterthoughtmedia Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rumor Mill – August 11, 2025 Joe and Nathan are back with more gossip, banter, and biting commentary. Joe kicks things off with an oddly passionate ode to his collection of back scratchers, before teasing exciting Patreon news: Season 2 coverage of Drag Race is on the way — plus possible Project Runway recaps available free to all Patreon supporters. The pair dive into two big Drag Race–adjacent stories: Bob the Drag Queen “Race Play” Clip Controversy – A seven-year-old podcast joke resurfaces (minus key context), sparking online outrage. Joe and Nathan unpack what was actually said, how the clip has been weaponized in the past, and why context matters. Plain Jane vs. Dawn Feud – After declining a collaboration with Plain Jane’s producer friend, Dawn is later seen lip-syncing to one of his songs. Plain Jane calls it hypocrisy, but Joe and Nathan question whether this is even drama worth caring about. As always, the hosts mix sharp takes with personal anecdotes, weaving in thoughts on internet pile-ons, the perils of oversharing, and why some feuds feel more like reheated leftovers than fresh tea. Patreon: patreon.com/afterthoughtmedia Voicemail: speakpipe.com/afterthoughtmedia Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices