By Denny Patterson
Hope you’re hungry! Drag Me to Dinner, Hulu’s new glamorous and messy faux competition series that no one takes too seriously, is serving up a great big helping of drag chaos.
Created and produced by Neil Patrick Harris and husband David Burtka, this totally bonkers project is a riotous, fourth-wall-breaking, unapologetic send up to traditional reality shows. In each episode, two teams of popular drag queens go head-to-head to throw the most fabulous, “drag-tastical” dinner party, hoping to be crowned champion and walk away with the grandest “prize” in television history: The Glorious Golden Grater.
“We’ve had the idea for this show for over five years,” Burtka says. “When we were filming, we just couldn’t believe it, and as we were filming, we were having the best time. I hope that is conveyed to audiences. We were able to come up with a cast that just made us cackle every day, and it was a blast to do. Hopefully, it’s a blast to watch.”
“We laughed at the idea of it, and we laughed at the notion of what it could be,” Harris adds. “Like David said, we couldn’t believe it. When Hulu said yes and gave us sort of carte blanche creativity, saying they believed in us and believed in this, we were blown away. The entire time, it’s been a laughing, smiling, joyfest.”
“We didn’t know if it would be hilarious or a piece of crap,” Burtka concludes.
Each episode will also have its own unique theme, as revealed by Burtka, and joining Harris at the judges table are drag superstar Bianca Del Rio and actress Haneefah Wood. Serving as host is none other than New York City legend Murray Hill, “the hardest-working middle-aged man in show business.”
“Working with Bianca, Murray, and Haneefah – what a dream team,” Burtka exclaims. “These are some of the funniest people alive.”
Although Drag Me to Dinner might look like a trainwreck to some, Harris notes that the show was sort of designed to be that way.
“It was always intentional that we would show backstage and sometimes see the cameras,” he says. We didn’t want it to feel precious because I think that’s what’s fun about drag. The duality between glamor, perfect lighting, and amazing lip syncs, but also the messiness of it all. It’s highbrow lowbrow at the same time.”
The drag duos include Alexis Mateo and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Raja and Detox, Trinity the Tuck and Bebe Zahara Benet, Morgan McMichaels and Mayhem Miller, Latrice Royale and Manila Luzon, Kim Chi and Naomi Smalls, BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon, Heidi N Closet and Jaida Essence Hall, Ginger Minj and Nina West, Gigi Goode and Symone, Darienne Lake and Mrs. Kasha Davis, Alaska and Willam, Kiki Ball-Change and Thorgy Thor, Sherry Vine and Jackie Beat, Rhea Litré and Jasmine Rice LaBeija, Merrie Cherry and Pixie Aventura, Meatball and Biqtch Puddin, Selma Nilla and Chelsea Piers, Peachez Iman Cummings and Marti Gould Cummings, and Peaches Christ and the late Heklina.
Teams are focused on multiple criteria: food and drink, design and decor, entertainment, and overall vibe.
“There are some girls on this show who can really cook,” Burtka says. “Latrice Royale’s chicken was so good, and Pixie Aventure made a jambalaya that was amazing. I want the recipe.”
“And make sure to keep an eye out on some of the performances,” Harris states. “BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon singing an original song as mermaids and watching Merrie Cherry smash cans of beer with her chest was like watching a Gallagher show go wrong. It really runs the gamut. Everyone is radically different in their own great way.”
Drag Me to Dinner is now streaming on Hulu.
