Let’s be real for a second. We’ve had roughly eight million seasons of drag queens on television, but the kings? They were mostly relegated to the background or guest spots. That finally changed in June 2025 when King of Drag hit Revry. It wasn’t just another carbon copy of the "Race" we all know. It was messy, it was low-budget in that charming indie way, and honestly, it was the most refreshing thing to happen to queer TV in years.
If you missed the initial run of king of drag episodes, you missed the "Final Thrust." You missed "Weenie Challenges." You basically missed a revolution in facial hair and chest binding.
The King of Drag Episodes That Changed the Game
The season only ran for six episodes, which sounds short until you realize they filmed the whole thing in about a week. It was a sprint. Hosted by the legendary Murray Hill—the hardest working middle-aged man in show business—the show immediately set a different tone. Instead of the polished, high-fashion glitz of mainstream drag, we got a lot of "DICK." That’s Murray’s version of the C.U.N.T. acronym, standing for Daring, Innovation, Caring, and Karisma.
Episode 1: "Battle of the Boy Bands" (Aired June 22, 2025)
This was the wake-up call. Ten kings walked into the room, and the energy was just... different. King Molasses dominated from the jump. He wore his father’s agbada and talked about how drag connected him to his Nigerian heritage. The challenge was a boy band performance, and Molasses’ team, "The Blue Ballers," absolutely crushed it. We also got our first "Final Thrust"—a breakdancing battle that saw Tuna Melt become the first to go home. It felt heavy because these performers have waited so long for this platform.
Episode 2: "The Dong Show" (Aired June 29, 2025)
Celebrity impersonation. But not Snatch Game. This was a riff on the old-school Gong Show. King Molasses won again, doing an incredible Ira Glass, which is exactly the kind of niche brilliance you only get from kings. We also saw the elimination of Buck Wylde after a stand-up comedy battle.
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Episode 3: "Death of Your Fears" (Aired July 6, 2025)
This one got dark. The kings had to create horror-themed looks based on their actual phobias. King Perka $exxx—who is basically a ball of anxious comedy—finally found his footing and took the win. But the "Final Thrust" was a double elimination. Alexander the Great and Pressure K both got the boot after a "found footage" acting challenge called The Blair Butch Project.
Why the Judging Panel Mattered
The "Kings' Court" wasn't just a bunch of random celebs. They brought in Sasha Velour and Gottmik, sure, but the real MVPs were the actual king icons like Tenderoni and Wang Newton. Having people who actually understand the nuances of masculine illusion—how to contour a jawline versus a cheekbone—made the critiques feel legitimate. They weren't judging kings by queen standards.
The Road to the Crown
By the time we hit the later king of drag episodes, the tension was thick. Episode 4, "Prom Night," featured guest judges like Carmen Carrera and Jackie Beat. It was a "Nautical Night" runway where Henlo Bullfrog finally snagged a win with a brilliant aquatic look. Charles Galin King, a fan favorite, was sent packing after a cheerleading battle.
Then came the semi-finals. "A Song for the King" (Episode 5).
This was the DIY episode. The kings had to make outfits out of unconventional materials and lip-sync to ARXX's "Good Boy." Dick Von Dyke—who lived up to his name with a constant stream of jokes—took the win here. Sadly, we lost Big D and King Perka $exxx in another double elimination. Seeing Big D, a 50-year-old king who has been doing this since 2005, leave right before the finale was a gut punch.
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The Finale: "Showbiz" (July 27, 2025)
The top three: King Molasses, Dick Von Dyke, and Henlo Bullfrog.
They did a final lip-sync battle to Frankie Simone’s "KING." It wasn't even close, honestly. King Molasses had that winner's energy from the first frame of the first episode. He walked away with $10,000, a custom suit from Sharpe Suiting, and the title of the first-ever King of Drag.
What People Get Wrong About the Show
A lot of people expected a "Drag Race" spin-off. It’s not. It’s an independent production by Revry and The Silo. Because of that, it has a raw, community-access-TV vibe that feels way more authentic than the overproduced stuff we usually see.
Some critics complained about the "messy" editing or the low budget. But that’s the point. Drag king culture has always thrived in the underground, in the dive bars, and in the spaces where you have to make magic out of nothing. The show reflected that. It wasn't polished because the art form is about grit.
Essential Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking to dive into the world of drag kings, don't stop at the show. The winner, King Molasses, is a powerhouse of D.C. drag. Dick Von Dyke is still touring the Midwest with some of the smartest comedy sets in the biz.
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- Watch it on Revry: It’s the only place to get the full experience with the behind-the-scenes bits.
- Follow the cast: These performers don't have the "World of Wonder" machine behind them yet. They rely on direct support.
- Look for the "Final Thrusts": If you only watch one thing, watch the breakdancing battle in Episode 1 and the "Blair Butch Project" in Episode 3.
The impact of these king of drag episodes is already being felt. Since the finale, there’s been a massive uptick in king bookings at major festivals. Whether RuPaul eventually decides to cast a king or not doesn't really matter anymore. Murray Hill and his crew proved that the kings can build their own house, and it's a lot more fun than the one next door.
If you’re serious about supporting the art, go find a local king show. Buy a ticket. Tip them well. This show was a massive milestone, but it’s only the beginning of what these artists can do when someone finally hands them a microphone.
Watch the full season of King of Drag on the Revry streaming app or via Philo to see the entire journey of King Molasses and the rest of the royalty.