'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Season 4: Everything You Need to Know About the Returning Queens

VH1 announced the new cast and premiere date for the fourth installment of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” on Friday, revealing the 10 returning queens who will be competing for their place in the “Drag Race” Hall of Fame.

Farrah Moan, Gia Gunn, Jasmine Masters, Latrice Royale, Manila Luzon, Monét X Change, Monique Heart, Naomi Smalls, Trinity Taylor and Valentina will return to vie for the crown on Friday, Dec. 14 at 8 p.m.

Season 4 of “All Stars” will keep the show’s supersized 90-minute runtime, but it remains to be seen if the format will be the same after last season’s finale — in which Trixie Mattel was crowned the winner over fan-favorite Shangela due to a surprise vote by the eliminated queens — caused some backlash from the show’s fans.

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However, series host, judge and executive producer RuPaul has promised some new twists for the upcoming season.

“I think it will shock fans, although I don’t think they’ll be as disappointed,” RuPaul said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “We always try to do something fresh and interesting, and sometimes it turns out in a way that you don’t really expect. I love Trixie. She’s a real superstar, but I really didn’t count on the other girls who came back being so vindictive.”

“All Stars 4” will mark 14 seasons and nearly 10 years of “Drag Race,” so one could be forgiven for need a bit of a refresher before the show returns next month. For those new to the series or in need a quick primer on the 10 returning queens, here’s everything you need to know:

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Valentina (Season 9)

A true fan favorite and early frontrunner, Valentina coasted through much of her original season on good looks, natural talent and easy charm. It first became clear that perhaps her veneer was not as flawless as it seemed in one instantly iconic clash with “All Stars 3” contestant Aja, but it wasn’t until one of the most shocking eliminations in “Drag Race” herstory that it all fell to pieces in truly spectacular fashion.

It’s a moment best experienced in full, but Valentina, unprepared for her potential elimination, forgot the lyrics to Ariana Grande’s “Greedy” and tried to cover it up using a face mask. When Ru brought the lip sync to a halt to demand that she remove it, Valentina’s response was astonishingly bold — “I’d like to keep in on, please.” Naturally, that did not go well.

Best quote: “Farrah Moan, just shut up already.”

Gia Gunn (Season 6)

In the years since her original season aired, Gia has fully transitioned as a transgender woman and will now compete as the first out, transgender contestant in “Drag Race” herstory. Her name on the “All Stars 4” lineup also marks a reversal from RuPaul after previously insinuating that transgender contestants would not be allowed to compete on the show.

But Gia made her mark long before with her brash attitude and instantly meme-able catchphrases. Toss out an “Absolutely!” or “I’m feeling my oats, let me feel my oats” in conversation if you want to know who’s a “Drag Race” fan.

Best quote: “I don’t like messy queens, I don’t like cheap queens and I definitely don’t like manly queens.”

Jasmine Masters (Season 7)

She’s Jasmine Masters and she has something to say. Jasmine was eliminated just three episodes into Season 7, but her big personality, showcased best in her YouTube and Instagram videos, has earned her a wider fanbase even beyond her short time on “Drag Race.”

In one of her videos, Jasmine memorably declared that “Drag Race” had “done f—ed up drag, bottom line, cut and dry,” which made waves among fans. But it was another video about someone’s “hot, boiled-ass, porta potty mess” breath that caught the attention of Justin Bieber and turned her into a viral star.

Best quote: “No tea, no shade, no pink lemonade.”

Latrice Royale (Season 4)

Latrice the one to beat heading into “All Stars 4,” not only as an icon in the drag world at-large, but as one of two queens who has already competed on the show twice. She is also set to compete on the show’s “Holi-Slay Spectacular” special next month.

A seasoned, old-school performer, Latrice has delivered some of the show’s most flawless lip-sync performances, from an energetic “I’ve Got to Use My Imagination” to a weighty, emotional take on “You Make Me Feel” in which she bore a fake pregnancy belly and never moved from her spot.

Best quote: “Get those nuts away from my face!”

Monique Heart (Season 10)

Monique, along with Monet, is fresh off the most recent season of “Drag Race,” putting her at something of a disadvantage. Monique handcrafted every one of her looks, often on the day of the runway presentation, but was frequently clocked by the judges for her lack of polish. Has she had enough time to put together a set of costumes that can meet the even more stringent standards of an “All Stars” season?

But if Monique has anything going for her, it’s the effervescent, life-of-the-party personality that jumped off the screen and the big-hearted integrity that moved the audience to tears more than once.

Best quote: “Brown cow. Stunning!”

Naomi Smalls (Season 8)

Naomi Smalls, named for Naomi Campbell and Biggie Smalls, was just 21 when she competed on her first season and made it all the way to the final three. With an eye for detail and legs that go on for miles, Naomi was instantly a contender, turning out high-fashion look after high-fashion look. At one point, she crafted a dress out of paper that was so instantly memorable it would go on to inspire one of RuPaul’s own ensembles.

In the intervening period, Naomi has only upgraded her look, refining her make-up skills and wardrobe a becoming a true fashion icon.

Best quote: “Check your lipstick before you come for me.”

Trinity Taylor (Season 9)

Another queen who made it to the finale of her original season, Trinity “The Tuck” Taylor proved that one underestimates a pageant queen at their own peril on Season 9. She surprised the audience with an unclockable tuck and fearless lip syncs, but it was her sense of humor that endeared her to the judges and kept her in the game. Until the show surprised with a new format for the finale, it seemed like Trinity was easily one of the frontrunners for the crown.

Promising an “edgier” set of looks and probably even more silicone this time around, Trinity will be one to watch out for going into “All Stars.”

Best quote: “I have 50 units of botox in my face, I don’t know what y’all want from me.”

Farrah Moan (Season 9)

No, that’s not Christina Aguilera wearing an unreasonable amount of highlighter, it’s Farrah Moan.

Having Farrah and Valentina on the same “All Stars” season promises some juicy drama, especially after their last confrontation at the Season 9 reunion. Fans learned that Valentina’s congenial on-screen personality wasn’t reflective of her backstage relationships when Farrah confronted her on stage at the reunion, tearing into her for being a bad friend after filming ended.

It was Farrah who led the charge in the world’s most sarcastic round of applause, denying Valentina the audience voted title of “Miss Congeniality,” instead dubbing her “Fan Favorite.”

Best quote: “You don’t love me [Valentina].”

Manila Luzon (Season 3)

The “All Stars 4” contestant whose been in the “Drag Race” canon the longest, Manila, like Latrice, has already competed on the show twice and is set to appear in next month’s Christmas special. At this point, she’s somewhat of a “Drag Race” legacy act, readily recognized as one of the show’s best contestants who’s never won the crown.

Nearly every look accented by her signature blonde streak, Manila has been turning out some of the show’s most polished performances since Season 3. Who could forget the pineapple dress, or the Donna Summer lip-sync where she tore the makeup off her own face?

Best quote: “Nobody could confuse me with Jujubee because I had her killed.”

Monet X Change (Season 10)

The reigning Miss Congeniality — the first chosen by her fellow contestants — Monet may not have brought the glamor to Season 10, but her blend of humor and ferocity sold every look she wore on the main stage.

Nothing encapsulates that better than when a sponge dress she wore early on was so famously bad that it became a meme among the cast, but Monet committed to the bit so hard, she turned kitchen sponges into an entire brand. Now, with the opportunity (and the budget) to up her wardrobe, Monet might just be a threat to take the whole thing.

Best quote: “If these hoes try to come for me, I surely will cut thee. I will not hesitate to put thou in a ditch, because Maya Angelou ain’t no punk bitch.”

26 Streaming TV Shows You Can Binge in a Weekend (Photos)

Labor Day is a great time to hang out with friends and family and do some grilling. It's also a great time to stay in, watch TV, and do absolutely nothing else. Thanks to streaming services like Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu and Amazon Prime, there are a ton of great shows you can stream while you're avoiding sunlight. Here are 26 that you'll be able to wrap up before heading back to work next week.
"Altered Carbon" (Netflix)

A gritty sci-fi murder mystery, "Altered Carbon" takes place in the distant future, where consciousness can be downloaded and people can switch bodies to live forever -- if they can afford it. Action-packed and twisty, "Altered Carbon" is a great 10-episode mystery to work through on your days off.
Netflix
"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (Amazon Prime)

Amazon's period comedy about a housewife turned stand-up comedian took home Golden Globes this year for best comedy TV series and best actress in a comedy series for star Rachel Brosnahan. The funny, expertly cast comedy with eight hour-long episodes to keep you busy for a couple days.
Netflix
"Lost in Space" (Netflix)

Netflix rebooted the 1960s sci-fi TV show "Lost in Space," creating a more modern version of the Robinson family that feels grounded, while still "out there" in a similar way as the original. Parker Posey is also a standout as the slimy Dr. Smith in the 10-episode first season.
Netflix
"The Runaways" (Hulu)

The first Marvel show to make it to Hulu is a refreshing change from the Netflix takes. It follows a group of teenagers as they realize not only that they're special, but that their conspiratorial parents are not to be trusted. At 10 episodes, it's a quick watch and an interesting take on superhero TV shows.
Hulu
"Jack Ryan" (Amazon Prime)

Amazon gives a new look at Tom Clancy's many-storied spy, with John Krasinski taking on the role of the CIA analyst who quickly finds himself trying to take down terrorists. The eight-episode season is a relatively quick watch but has plenty of action and intrigue to keep viewers engaged.

Netflix
"Wormwood" (Netflix)

Directed by legendary documentarian Errol Morris, the hybrid docu-drama miniseries "Wormwood" digs into the story of a man's death, reportedly as part of a CIA experiment in the 1950s. But as files are declassified and more information comes to light, "Wormwood" tells the story of a possible Cold War conspiracy, reenacted by some top Hollywood talent. If you're looking for a new true crime obsession, the six-part miniseries is perfect.
Netflix
"Future Man" (Hulu)

A guy who finds himself recruited by soldiers from the future to fight genetically enhanced bad guys in "Future Man," because he's awesome at a video game. Turns out, he's not especially good at anything else. Riffing on classics like "Back to the Future," "Future Man" is pretty funny, and pretty smart, too. And with one season out, it's easy to work through in a couple of lazy days.
Hulu
"Dark" (Netflix)

It's easy to get lost in the mystery of "Dark," which centers on a small German town where children keep going missing. Before long, it becomes clear there' sci-fi spookiness afoot, as events start to mirror similar ones that happened 33 years ago. With the first season available, "Dark" is a quick watch that will keep you glued to your seat.
Netflix
"The Orville" (Hulu)

The first season of "The Orville" is all available on Hulu, and anybody itching for a return to old-school "Star Trek" should give it a shot. The show is basically what would happen if regular people served on the U.S.S. Enterprise -- a humorous and accessible take on the "Star Trek" formula, but which still gets what made those series so endearing.
Fox
"The Punisher" (Netflix)

The latest of the Marvel Netflix series follows a former marine who takes down criminals -- and finds himself unwittingly at the center of a conspiracy. "The Punisher" might be the best of the Marvel series so far, balancing the Punisher taking down bad guys and dealing with his own personal demons.
Netflix
“The Night Of” (HBO Go, HBO Now)

HBO’s short miniseries starts with an accusation and a murder, and spirals from there. Naz is a Muslim kid arrested for a murder he can’t remember if he committed, and even before his trial, the situation ripples out to affect everyone even remotely related to him or the crime. It’s a dark and dramatic look into the criminal justice system that goes beyond the usual police procedural.
HBO
“The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (Netflix)

Looking back into the American zeitgeist of 1994, FX’s drama adaptation of the trial of the century is an enthralling 10 episodes. It’s brilliantly cast and captures the moment, with all its bizarre and upsetting ins and outs, extremely well.
Netflix
“The OA” (Netflix)

Diving deep into the "strange and mysterious serialized show" category is "The OA," about a kidnapped blind woman who returns to her hometown with the ability to see. The series gets even weirder after that, constantly posing mysterious questions about the woman's powers and her kidnapping. The strangeness only escalates, so binge now for a mystery to solve ahead of the show's second season.
Netflix
"Castle Rock" (Hulu)

Part adaptation, part original story, "Castle Rock" takes place in the spooky town that's the setting for many of Stephen King's spookiest stories. "Castle Rock" is still airing new episodes weekly in the first season of the anthology series, but there are enough to make what's available a binge-worthy proposition.
“Black Mirror” (Netflix)

There are actually four seasons' worth of episodes of “Black Mirror” available on Netflix, but at only six episodes each, the series is just contained enough that you can get through the whole thing in a couple of days. It’s worth it, too, as “Black Mirror” puts a “Twilight Zone” twist on modern technology and human relationships.
Netflix
“The Jinx” (HBO Go and HBO Now)

The story of Robert Durst is a strange one, filled with disappearances, murder, dismemberment, and bad disguises. The six-episode documentary miniseries goes through the story of Durst's early life and the disappearance of his wife, through two other deaths, and ends with a possible bombshell break in the case. It's the kind of binge watch material that's hard to pull away from.
HBO
“The Fall” (Netflix)

This British police procedural about a detective hunting a serial killer stars Gillian Anderson of “X-Files” fame and Jamie Dornan of “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Though it covers three total seasons, the shorter series of BBC shows means the grand total is just 17 episodes.
Netflix
“Band of Brothers” (HBO Go and HBO Now)

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks produced this drama that follows the 101st Airborne through the European Theater in World War II. Intense, personal and powerful, the 10-part series tells the story of the war in a way that few other movies or series have captured.
HBO
“Making a Murderer” (Netflix)

This intensive documentary series covers the story of Steven Avery, who was exonerated of a rape accusation before being arrested for murder. The documentary covers the sorted story of the crime, the investigation, and the prosecution over 10 episodes, raising plenty of questions about whether Avery is guilty along the way.
Netflix
“Crazy Head” (Netflix)

British horror-comedy “Crazy Head” is about two women who can see demons. At first they think they’re crazy — but then they realize the demons are real. Over six episodes, Amy and Raquel battle the forces of evil, making it a funny experience that’s easy to knock out in a hurry.
Netflix
“11.22.63” (Hulu)

Adapting Stephen King’s novel of the same name, “11.22.63” sends James Franco back in time from 2016 to the 1960s. The plan: stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy and rewrite the entire future of America for the better. The entire story is perfect weekend material, covered in just eight episodes.
Hulu
"The Young Pope" (HBO Go, HBO Now)

Jude Law is the first American pope in a dark comedy about religion, authority, politics and backstabbing. "The Young Pope" has its surreal moments as Law's Pius XIII tries to deflect the machinations of the cardinals around him and figure out what to handle being His Holiness.
HBO
"Big Little Lies" (HBO Go, HBO Now)

HBO's scandal- and rumor-fueled dark comedy "Big Little Lies" also became a whodunit as its drama unfolded. With a star-studded cast that includes Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Alexander Skarsgard and Laura Dern, and clocking in at only seven episodes, "Big Little Lies" is a quick, high-quality watch. A second season of the show is on the way, but it probably won't land until 2019, so you've got plenty of time to catch up.
HBO
"The Confession Tapes" (Netflix)

The latest true crime documentary series on Netflix focuses on several cases in which people confessed to crimes they claim they didn't actually commit. Each case will leave viewers wondering if the people in question really are the perpetrators, or if police misconduct, psychological probing and other factors are really to blame for creating false confessions. There are no easy answers, but the questions "The Confession Tapes" raises about the American justice system are definitely interesting ones.
Netflix
"The Keepers" (Netflix)

Another of Netflix's lengthy true crime documentary sets out to try to find the killer of Sister Cathy Cesnick, a Catholic nun and teacher who died in 1969. The show quickly uncovers a sprawling, horrific tale of sexual abuse at a Baltimore Catholic school that might have led to Sister Cathy's murder, and possibly a cover up.
NBC
"The Staircase" (Netflix)

Dig into the story of the murder trial of Michael Peterson, accused of killing his wife Kathleen on the staircase in their house, as the story spans more than a decade. Netflix's new documentary adds three new episodes to the story of the trial, which took place in 2003, and its aftermath, digging into the investigation surrounding Peterson, the trial, and his ultimate fate.
Need more TV to binge? Check out our list of the 20 best Netflix original series that demand your attention.
Or catch up on some of the best shows to ever air on HBO.

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If you’re looking to beat the heat and stay home, settle in with these great streaming shows you can wrap up over the course of a few easy-going days

Labor Day is a great time to hang out with friends and family and do some grilling. It's also a great time to stay in, watch TV, and do absolutely nothing else. Thanks to streaming services like Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu and Amazon Prime, there are a ton of great shows you can stream while you're avoiding sunlight. Here are 26 that you'll be able to wrap up before heading back to work next week.

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26 Streaming TV Shows You Can Binge in a Weekend (Photos)

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