Just recalling how Japanese reality TV dating show, The Boyfriend, had a drag queen in their studio commentary team. I found a proile of Durian Lollobrigida online.

And then also for Korean reality TV survival show, The Influencer, one of the participants has been a drag queen, Gvan Queen. I can't find a separate interview, so here's a general roundup of all the participants on the show.

I've already posted about The Boyfriend before, so I won't repeat myself other than to say I really enjoyed the commentary team for the show.

The Influencer arrived just when I needed some light, frothy distraction from the UK riots. It's often silly but also quite ruthless. There are moments or mechanics in the show that are emotionally painful for some participants as they compete to avoid elimination and to win a large cash prize. At the same time, all these influencers are getting more eyes on them because of participating in the show, so my guess is that for many of them, the stressful parts of the competition can at least be somewhat balanced by the potential to gain more followers in real life.

Anyway, without giving away major spoilers, Gvan Queen gets to briefly bring in some other drag queens in one segment. That's pretty cool.

This suffers slightly from the reality dating TV trope of gradually introducing even more participants just when you think the house is finally full. But otherwise, I've watched the first 3 episodes and I like it so far. Some of the guys have backstories that are genuinely affecting, and it's easy to wind up rooting for them to find love and friendship. I'll have to see how it all goes, but unless something very weird happens, I can easily see myself watching it through to the end.

Aw, that was really good. I think everyone in that show pushed their own boundaries and grew in various ways. And my heart grew 3 sizes watching them do it.

I mean, it's nice that there were some couples leaving together. And at the same time, it was about more than that. It was about the value of friendship too, and community - like one of the guys finding his determination to come out to his family because of the conversations and supportive friends he found in the house.

And also I appreciate the commentators for the show, who empathised with everyone - it was exactly the kind of feeling you'd want as a viewer, watching this show. There's enough incidental drama just seeing people falling in love, working through various issues, communication problems, resolving communal issues (like the cost of chicken for one dude's protein smoothies!), finding strength to express themselves, finding ways to support each other as friends... With a commentary team whose approach is heartfelt, everything feels warmer, more empathetic, rather than as if the show is trying to artificially gin up extra drama, tension, conflict, etc. Instead, watching this show felt like an invitation to try to understand everyone's journeys, and it was genuinely moving and memorable as a result.

I hope there will be a second series! I would 100% watch that.

This suffers slightly from the reality dating TV trope of gradually introducing even more participants just when you think the house is finally full. But otherwise, I've watched the first 3 episodes and I like it so far. Some of the guys have backstories that are genuinely affecting, and it's easy to wind up rooting for them to find love and friendship. I'll have to see how it all goes, but unless something very weird happens, I can easily see myself watching it through to the end.