RuPaul’s Drag Race: 10 of the greatest Snatch Game performances of all time

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK returns to our screens tonight, with fans excited for the highly anticipated return of Snatch Game.

A staple in every series of Drag Race, this challenge brings together comedy, improvisation and celebrity impersonation skills and is always a favourite among viewers.

The queens must take part in a game show based on the US TV show Match Game, all the while impersonating their favourite celebrities.

Over the years, Snatch Game has produced many of Drag Race’s most memorable moments and has become known for an ability to make or break a contestant’s time on the show.

Here are 10 of the greatest Snatch Game performances ever...

Read more – ‘Bing Bang Bong’: How series two of Drag Race UK is breathing life back into the franchise

Bendelacreme as Maggie Smith (Season 6)

It’s hard to imagine that any queen could beat Bianca del Rio’s unshakeable Judge Judy impression, but the eventual champion was just pipped to the post during season six’s episode. Making the bold decision to impersonate legendary British actor Maggie Smith (complete with the accent, ageing make-up and full Downton Abbey regalia), Dela managed to stand out among the popstars and reality TV contestants with her quick responses. Asked why she spoke so formally, the queen shot back: “Excuse me, we originated the language!”, leaving Ru in stitches.

Baga Chipz as Margaret Thatcher (UK Series 1)

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When Baga Chipz announced her intention to impersonate the Iron Lady on Drag Race UK’s first ever Snatch Game, the nation collectively shuddered. But, with glowing red eyes and fangs and a vampiric sneer whenever approached by RuPaul, Baga excelled, especially when playing off The Vivienne’s also excellent Donald Trump. Writing the word “redundancy” on her card with a smiley face, she repeated: “We must b***er the miners, more money for the rich and less for the poor.”

Pearl as Big Ang (Season 7)

Season seven’s Snatch Game contained some of the greatest performances of all time, meaning that some really great impersonations got a little lost. But one criminally underrated performance from this episode was Pearl as Mob Wives star Big Ang,who, when asked a question about Batman and Robin, replied: “I had a rough childhood, OK? I wasn’t watching f***ing Batman and Robin,” leaving everyone laughing.

Aquaria as Melania Trump (Season 10)

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Having positioned herself as the fashion girl of season 10, nobody expected Aquaria to excel quite so well at Snatch Game. Impersonating Melania Trump, the drag queen managed to maintain a look of stony-faced indifference while getting out some cracking lines, including mistaking Ru for Barack Obama and thinking that “any hole is a goal” is a family-friendly catchphrase.

Alaska Thunderf*** as Mae West (All Stars 2)

If you like your Snatch Game performances full to the brim with innuendo, it doesn’t get better than Alaska’s Mae West. Pairing her lightning fast reflexes with West’s old Hollywood glamour, the comedian had Ru unable to control his laughter. “You don’t beat around the bush, do you?” Ru told her, with Alaska replying in milliseconds: “What do you mean, I beat around the bush all the time.” Genius.

Kennedy Davenport as Little Richard (Season 7)

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As the seasons have gone on, we’ve seen more and more queens impersonate male celebrities on Snatch Game. But the first to do it was Kennedy Davenport as “Tutti Frutti” singer Little Richard, who interspersed her hilarious answers referencing the singer’s sexuality with random vocal riffs. Some of the funniest moments come from her interactions with Ginger Minj’s Adele, who also shone in this episode.

Chad Michaels as Cher (Season 4)

Look, when you work as a Cher impersonator for a living, you’ve got to pull out something pretty special if you’re going to do it on Snatch Game. Luckily, Chad Michaels came prepared, with her performance including multiple costume and wig changes. Even as chaos descended around her from the other panelists (season four’s Snatch Game being notoriously one of the messiest), Chad kept her cool, telling Ru: “I don’t know why they book me on these chicken s*** gigs, I’m a f***ing Oscar winner!"

Bob the Drag Queen as Uzo Aduba/Carol Channing (Season 8)

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Most drag queens are pretty confident in their abilities, but few more so than Bob the Drag Queen, who played not one, but two characters during season eight’s Snatch Game. Starting off as Orange is the New Black star Uzo Aduba – a performance already hilarious on its own – Bob changed costumes halfway through to impersonate Carol Channing, even making callbacks to her first character. The judges accused her “showboating”, but when you’re this good, we say showboat away.

Jinkx Monsoon as Little Edie (Season 6)

Playing a character not everybody knows can be a risk on Snatch Game, but funny will always shine through even if the references aren’t always picked up on. When Jinkx Monsoon portrayed American socialite Edie Beale, best known as Little Edie, it was a risk, but Monsoon’s ability to riff off her other contestants made the Grey Gardens star a brilliant choice for a character.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK airs Thursdays at 7pm on BBC iPlayer.