Narrative and Structure

For narrative and structuralism I will be looking at how Todorov (1969) and Propp’s (1928) theory’s can be related to Drag Race. Also how they have a structure and format to the show that they’ve been using since series 1. And what effect this has on the audience. Also exploring this in relation to reality TV.

Todorov’s (1969) theory states that every film/ TV show follows the same narrative pattern:

1. There is balance  = Equilibrium
2. The equilibrium is disrupted by an event
3. Recognition of the disruption happening
4. Attempt to repair the damage from disruption
5. Return to equilibrium

In a way this theory can loosely be compared with RPDR as:

1. Start of each episode where the queens chatter about the week with each other
2. RuPaul comes into the work room to set the mini and maxi challenges
3. They have time to prep and get ready for the challenges
4. They all have critiques from the past weeks challenges  they have need to work on to improve and be successful on the challenges
5. After the challenges and lip sync one queen wins and one goes home.

RPDR slightly follows Todorov’s (1969) theory as they need to follow some sort of narrative cycle for the shows to make sense and to engage the audience. Each episode is in chronological order, with a disruption of the challenges, then the resolution of having one less queen to compete against. Thus making the show more engaging  as each episode you follow the story of the queens week, what they had to do to be safe in the competition. Also as it’s a competition this helps to drive the narrative forward as you wait to see who makes it through each week to make the final.

This can also link to the very strict format it sticks to each episode this is:

1. The show starts from last week where the Queens discuss who left
2. New Day all talking to each other, RuPaul comes in
3. Mini challenge happens
4. Sets maxi challenge
5. Prep for maxi challenge
6. Challenge performed eg. Magic show, dancing, acting, singing and snatch game  
7. Runway
8. Winner announced
9. Bottom 2 lip sync
10. One leaves
11. Everyone dances on stage
12. At end clip of next week’s show

This happens each episode with prizes to be won for both winning the mini and maxi challenge.  As this happens every week it makes the show recognisable for the audience as they know what to expect each week. As a fan myself I’m always excited to see what this week s challenges and runway theme is. Additionally throughout each episode they have catchphrases they say each episode. This is a narrative devices as they are said a different points within the show. So you expect to hear them at certain points within the narrative, for example you would hear, “Gentlemen start your engines, and may the best woman win” when the Runway is about to start. This helps you to spilt up the narrative into pieces. Down below is an edit I made of a selection of the catchphrases said each episode.

Propp (1928) states that in all characters within tales fit into these 7 character functions.

1. The villain
2. The dispatcher
3. The helper
4. The princess or prize
5.  The donor
6. The hero
7. The false hero

Although RPDR is a realty show you can align these to the show.

1. The villain could be either the frontrunner of the show, who everyone is jealous of. Or the judges, and example of this would be Michelle Visage who is known for her harsh critiques, which creates struggles for the contestants
2. The dispatcher would be RuPaul as he is the one who sets the queens off on the challenges throughout the show.
3. The helper would also be RuPaul as he gives critiques to the queens. Additionally the judges could be seen as the helpers as they help the queen’s things to help them improve and say what they have done well.
4. The prize would be winning the mini and maxi challenges, also winning the show overall to be ‘America’s next drag superstar,’ $100,000 and 1 years supply of luxury cosmetics.
5. The donor would be RuPaul as depending on the challenges gives them materials’ to make outfits and shows out of, also props. Also if it’s a singing or dancing challenge they get a professional to help them.
6. The hero could be either be RuPaul, as all the contestants look up to him. However it could be the person who wins the series, as they have overcome the challenges throughout the series and been crowned the winner.
7. The false hero could also be the winner of the series, as they would never be able to compare themselves with RuPaul.

Thus by having these ‘characters’ they help to drive the narrative forward, also making the show more interesting.  They help to make the show have more of a story line to it as they add things that help the show move/ flow or to create drama to draw in the audience.

One key part to the structure is title sequences, as they have the main title sequence, when RuPaul comes into the work room and the catwalk opening sequence. All these have been pretty much been the same since the first series. The title and catwalk have had the same background music since series 1. Thus making the actual songs iconic and recognisable to the audience. As when they hear that song they can imagine RuPaul walking down the runway. However they had to change the structure of the RuPaul’s entrance to the work room from saying “She mail” to “She done already done had herses.”  This was because it a play on words for shemale a trans term this term is considered transphobic. And as this is a pioneering show for the LGBT community, fans felt like the show needed to be more inclusive. RuPaul has had a few controversies over like one saying he would not allow trans women on the show. This led to a massive backlash from fans and contestants. He responded by saying “First of all, drag is dangerous. We are making fun of everything. But when someone doesn’t get the joke or feels offended by it, it’s a lose-lose situation, because you can’t explain a joke” (RuPaul, 2015) Showing how showing things of such nature can have huge implications on others, and when choosing to use this within the narrative to make a joke, may have to be changed for people to enjoy watching it. Below is an edit I have made of these sequences.

Another narrative device they have is a voice over from the queens. This is something they film at the end of the series, where the queens are in a room and talk to the camera about what’s happening in the scene, almost like their inner thoughts of what’s happening. Also when they are on the runway they explain what their look is. This helps to explain the narrative as you get to hear what’s going on in the queens heads, almost giving you a behind the scenes of the show. Also this helps the narrative to flow smoother as they can help you as a viewer understand what’s going on as sometimes when the drama starts you have no idea why. Also they say their true feelings in this segment, that without they probably wouldn’t say in the workroom, as sometimes it’s just bitching about other queens. This could be inspired by Big Brothers diary room, which is an iconic element of that show, and allows the audience a sneak peek into the contestant’s inner thoughts.