The Alaska Thunderf * ck Extra Special Comedy Special.
Whatever your entertainment needs, we’ve got you (and hopefully your mind) here for you with Queerty’s weekly ‘Culture Club’ column featuring some of the highlights of new releases, streaming shows, classics worth revisiting and what to drink while you watch.
The Giggle: The Alaska Thunderf * ck Extra Special Comedy Special
The Alaska drag edit is bidding for its next hyphen with this ultra-unique comedy special. The extra special comedy special combines a lipync battle with documentary-style backstage and Alaska’s own brand of performance / stand-up art in an innovative hybrid film that finds the Drag race alum in great shape. Throughout the film, Alaska shares her thoughts on drag, drama, comedy, and the evolution of the queer community with other popular artists including Jackie Beat, Margaret Cho, and Sherry Vine. As for the comedy itself, the titular queen shows no fear in attempting a work of anti-comedy; that is, jokes that are so bad, so deliberately not funny, that they become downright hilarious, especially with the unemotional delivery of Ms. Thunderf * ck. Alaska fans, Drag race and the esoteric comedy will vanish. If nothing else, the stage proves that Alaska is more than just a drag queen; rather, she is a consummate and interesting performer.
Airing on OUTTv on April 15th.
The mystery: the cruel summer
This Freeform mystery series debuts this week, following a group of 1990s high school students in the midst of a crisis. When popular girl Kate (Oliva Holt) goes missing, suspicion falls on nerd, Kate-wannabe Janette (Chiara Aurelia) for her disappearance. As with any good thriller, there’s more to this mystery than it might seem at first glance, especially as Janette tries to deflect the blame and Kate’s story comes to light. A queer audience is expected to connect with one of the characters released during the series (we won’t reveal who here … it’s a surprise) as well as the presence of Blake Lee, the openly gay actor known here as an adorable half of the couple in Christmas setup. Add to that a healthy dose of 90s music and nostalgia, and Cruel summer may well become the dormant blow of spring.
Debut on Freeform on April 20.
Snack: 420 chopped
There is no doubt that many of you dear readers already have plans in place to celebrate April 20, everyone’s favorite cannabis-related holiday. Anyone who needs a little themed entertainment – or just something to cure cravings – should watch the new cooking show. Chopped 420. Five competitors compete against each other to create different food products using ganja as a base, among them Drag race alum Laganja Estranja, making an offer for fame outside the drag scene … and a prize of $ 10,000. It’s a nice way to celebrate a little 4/20, come up with some recipe ideas for that next date, or just watch who wins the prize when the smoke clears (see what we did there ?).
Broadcast on the food network on April 20.
The drama: the incredible 25th year of Mitzi Bearclaw
Morningstar queer and Native American actress Angeline is making headlines in this drama about a young woman torn between her hometown and her dream of becoming a fashion designer. When Mitzi has to return to her small town reservation to care for her ailing mother, she faces unresolved relationships, past rivalries, and her mother’s constant disapproval. Besides its portrayal of Native American life and reserve culture – which makes it a fascinating sight –Bear claw Mitzi follows the usual comic and dramatic rhythms of “back to small towns”. This can make the film somewhat predictable in its plot, although Angeline has a natural appeal and a camera presence. That, coupled with beautiful photographs of Canadian landscapes, leads us to recommend it as a value to watch.
Available on VOD and DVD on April 20.
The Croon: Kameron Ross “If I could go back”
Gay, country singer and America has talent Kameron Ross is releasing his latest single this week, a rock-infused country tune that pays homage to the love of small towns. If the lyrics offer any clue, for Ross that means going for donuts, quiet streets and may be a few more minutes with a beautiful friend. For us, it also has a certain bittersweet reminder: so many queer people are fleeing small towns to avoid becoming the next victim of hate crime. If only people could be as welcoming as the warm glow of the porch light.
Streaming on YouTube April 16.
The Spin: Lawrence Rothman “Thrash The West” (feat. Amanda Shires)
Genderqueer frontman Lawrence Rothman is also releasing a new track this week, the first of their upcoming album. “Thrash The West” finds Rothman confronted with the trauma of his childhood and channeling the baritone ballads of Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash, The Smiths and their occasional collaborator, Courtney Love. For us, that would offer enough of a hook, although Rothman’s pensive lyrics – as melancholy as they are – do have a certain allure. Rarely does a folkloric ballad cut so deeply or so bizarrely.
Stream on YouTube.
The shameless take: the Q program
Queerty’s toughest (and only) entertainment editor is appearing in The Q Agenda’s season finale this week. We join hosts Enrique Sapene, Victor Ramos, Juliana Joel and Lianna Carrera in discussing the importance of queer media, living with Queerty, and the future of LGBTQ entertainment. It’s fun, trust us.
Airs April 15 on LATN at 8:30 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. PT and on LATN’s YouTube channel.
The sip: the liquid 420
In honor of every stoner’s favorite date, we’ve selected this fruity and very green cocktail as this week’s libation. Reminiscent of a melon-scented pina colada, it’s also a great way to welcome in the spring heat. And we mean heat in every sense of the word.
- 1/2 ounce of spiced rum
- 1/2 ounce of blue Curacao liqueur
- 1/2 ounce of coconut rum
- 1/2 ounce of melon liqueur
- 12 ounces of pineapple juice
- 1 dash of sweet and sour mixture
Combine the ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well and serve.
