Over this past Winter Break, I ran out of my usual YouTube video fodder. Desperate for shortterm entertainment, I delved into a whole new side of the site and of pop culture: the fantastic realm that is RuPaul’s “Drag Race.”
Since the show’s relatively recent popularity, it has expanded onto other platforms. One of these platforms is YouTube, through the channel WOWPresents. Extra clips from past and current seasons, like the well-known behind the scenes show “Untucked,” are uploaded onto the channel during the airing of the new season of the show on TV.
But this is YouTube, so content has to be provided year-round for people to keep interest in the channel. As a result, the most popular drag queens often have their own personalized show on the channel, like Alyssa Edward’s “Alyssa’s Secret.”
But out of all the content that WOWPresents pumps out, the gem of the channel is a show that appeals to all, not just Drag Race Fans. This show is “UNHhhh.”
“UNHhhh” is Katya Zamalodchikova and Trixie Mattel’s show where they spend around seven minutes essentially having a disjointed, slightly perverted, often educational, and always hilarious kiki with each other. They cover a whole range of topics in their large number of episodes, from flirting to most recently, magic. The two hail from the seventh season of “Drag Race,” and while they didn’t seem to bond well in the season, the viewers of the show get to watch these two hilarious queens recognize each other’s unique sense of humor and become fast close friends.
Katya’s drag character is of a high-class Russian whore, and Trixie’s drag character is in her last name. She’s a living Barbie doll. But while Katya looks the most “fish,” or the closest to looking like a real women, her humor is absurd and dark, while Trixie’s humor is crackling and witty, a much more traditional approach to comedy compared to her insane makeup.
The show also benefits from fantastic editing. An example is where key phrases are iconically written out next to the drag queens’ faces. Another is how the imaginary scenarios that the two dream up are created through the editing with their faces photoshopped in.
“UNHhhh” has made me laugh to the point of tears, and simultaneously has taught me about drag and gay culture. It’s a unique and beloved show, one that for the foreseen future will continue to make memorable content.
