Gay's Anatomy

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| footer = In the episode "Gay's Anatomy", American singer and dancer Normani (left, pictured in 2019) is a guest judge and Nicky Doll (right, pictured in 2022) is eliminated from the competition.

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Following Rock M. Sakura's elimination, the remaining eleven contestants—Aiden Zhane, Brita, Crystal Methyd, Gigi Goode, Heidi N Closet, Jackie Cox, Jaida Essence Hall, Jan, Nicky Doll, Sherry Pie, and Widow Von'Du—re-enter the Werk Room and read the eliminated contestant's farewell message.{{cite web |last=Street |first=Mikelle |title=Drag Race season 12 queens drag Aiden Zhane in new preview |url=https://www.out.com/television/2020/3/25/drag-race-season-12-queens-drag-aiden-zhane-new-preview |date=March 25, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2024 |website=Out |publisher=Pride Media |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312135433/https://www.out.com/television/2020/3/25/drag-race-season-12-queens-drag-aiden-zhane-new-preview |url-status=live }} RuPaul announces the fifth challenge, which tasks contestants with overacting in a television parody. Two contestants who receive a pink tablet—Gigi Goode and Nicki Doll—are in charge of the casting roles.{{cite web |last=Swift |first=Andy |title=RuPaul's Drag Race recap: Which queen's future is looking grey? |url=https://tvline.com/recaps/drag-race-recap-season-12-episode-5-nicky-doll-eliminated-1177670/ |date=March 27, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2024 |website=TV Line |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312135433/https://tvline.com/recaps/drag-race-recap-season-12-episode-5-nicky-doll-eliminated-1177670/ |url-status=live }}

The acting challenge and character roles are a spoof of the American medical drama series Grey's Anatomy.

Gigi Goode decides to take the role of Dr. Tizzy Stevens (Izzie Stevens) with Nicki Doll portraying Baby Dearest; Widow Von'Du is assigned to Mimi Dearest.{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Erik |title=Television Rucap: RuPaul's Drag Race S12 E5 – "Gay's Anatomy" |url=https://awardswatch.com/tv-rucap-rupauls-drag-race-s12-e5-gays-anatomy/ |date=March 27, 2020 |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=AwardsWatch |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609215437/https://awardswatch.com/tv-rucap-rupauls-drag-race-s12-e5-gays-anatomy/ |url-status=live }} Jackie Cox and Jan are chosen to be Meredith Gay (Meredith Grey). Jaida Essence Hall, Brita, and Sherry Pie are given the roles of Rhonda Shimes (Shonda Rhimes), Dr. Sandra Okurrr (Sandra Oh), and Dr. Mother Gay, respectively.{{cite web |last=Blanton |first=Kayla |title=If you think Grey's Anatomy is dramatic, watch the Drag Race "Gay's Anatomy" spoof |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/the-drag-race-greys-anatomy-challenge-was-more-dramatic-than-the-real-show-22660520 |date=March 27, 2020 |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=Bustle |publisher=Bustle Digital Group |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201163506/https://www.bustle.com/p/the-drag-race-greys-anatomy-challenge-was-more-dramatic-than-the-real-show-22660520 |url-status=live }}

RuPaul introduces American singer Normani as the guest judge, alongside regular panelist Michelle Visage and alternating judge Carson Kressley.{{cite web |last=Kenneally |first=Cerys |title=Robyn, Normani, Nicki Minaj, and more announced as guest judges for new season of RuPaul's Drag Race |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/robyn-normani-nicki-minaj-to-guest-judge-12th-season-rupauls-drag-race |date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2024 |website=The Line of Best Fit |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127071317/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/robyn-normani-nicki-minaj-to-guest-judge-12th-season-rupauls-drag-race |url-status=live }} The runway category is "Planet of the Capes", which requires the contestants to present looks with capes. After showcasing the parody film, Aiden Zhane, Gigi Goode, Jan, Jackie Cox, and Widow Von'Du receive positive critiques and are deemed safe. RuPaul declares Sherry Pie the winner of the main challenge, earning her a cash tip of $5,000.{{efn|The production company donated $5,000 to The Trevor Project, due to Sherry Pie's disqualification from the reality competition.{{cite web |last=Bray |first=Abbie |title=RuPaul's Drag Race donates $5k to Trevor Project after Sherry Pie catfish allegations |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/14/drag-race-donates-5k-trevor-project-sherry-pie-allegations-12395484/ |date=March 14, 2020 |access-date=March 14, 2020 |website=Metro |publisher=DMG Media |archive-date=March 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314214327/https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/14/drag-race-donates-5k-trevor-project-sherry-pie-allegations-12395484/ |url-status=live }}}} The safe contestants leave the main stage to "untuck". Brita, Crystal Methyd, Heidi N Closet, Jaida Essence Hall, and Nicky Doll receive negative critiques.{{cite web |last=Guzzo |first=Bianca |title=RuPaul's Drag Race season 12 episode 5 recap: "Gay's Anatomy" |url=https://inmagazine.ca/2020/03/rupauls-drag-race-season-12-episode-5-recap-gays-anatomy/ |date=March 28, 2020 |access-date=March 14, 2020 |website=In Magazine |archive-date=April 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401021705/http://inmagazine.ca/2020/03/rupauls-drag-race-season-12-episode-5-recap-gays-anatomy/ |url-status=live }} RuPaul asks the contestants who should be eliminated from the competition and the majority respond Heidi N Closet or Nicky Doll. Later, the rest of the contestants leave the stage and the judges deliberate.

Heidi N Closet and Nicky Doll place in the bottom two and face off in a lip-sync contest to "Heart to Break" (2018) by Kim Petras. Nicki Doll is eliminated from the competition, and returns to the Werk Room to write a message on the mirror using lipstick for the remaining contestants. {{cite magazine |last=Nolfi |first=Joey |title=Never forget Nicky Doll, heartwarming hoe of RuPaul's Drag Race |url=https://ew.com/tv/nicky-doll-elimination-interview-rupauls-drag-race-season-12/ |date=March 30, 2020 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Dotdash Meredith |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225170927/https://ew.com/tv/nicky-doll-elimination-interview-rupauls-drag-race-season-12/ |url-status=live }}

The 63-minute episode was directed by Nick Murray, and originally aired on VH1 in the U.S. on March 27, 2020. The episode's premiere was seen by close to 630,000 viewers.{{cite web |last=Metcalf |first=Mitch |author-link=Mitch Metcalf |title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals and Network Finals: 3.27.2020 |url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-friday-cable-originals-network-finals-3-27-2020.html |date=March 30, 2020 |access-date=March 30, 2020 |website=ShowBuzzDaily |archive-date=March 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331160929/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-friday-cable-originals-network-finals-3-27-2020.html |url-status=dead }} A disclaimer regarding the catfishing allegations against Joey Gugliemelli, also known as Sherry Pie, appears at the beginning of every episode;{{cite web |last=Abad-Santos |first=Alex |title=RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Sherry Pie is disqualified after admitting to sexual misconduct |url=https://www.vox.com/2020/3/7/21168226/rupaul-drag-race-disqualifies-sherry-pie-catfishing-sexual-harassment |date=March 7, 2020 |access-date=March 7, 2020 |website=Vox |publisher=Vox Media |language=en |archive-date=March 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307211657/https://www.vox.com/2020/3/7/21168226/rupaul-drag-race-disqualifies-sherry-pie-catfishing-sexual-harassment |url-status=live }} with the cable network minimizing footage of them aside from winning challenges in episode three and five.{{cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Paul |title=Sherry Pie edited out of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' episodes despite winning them |url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2020/sherry-pie-wins-rupauls-drag-race/ |date=April 11, 2020 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Gold Derby |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |archive-date=August 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823160124/https://www.goldderby.com/article/2020/sherry-pie-wins-rupauls-drag-race/ |url-status=live }} World of Wonder, the production company behind the reality competition, donated $5,000 to The Trevor Project due to the disqualified contestant winning the episode.

For the runway category, Aiden Zhane's outfit referenced The Silence of the Lambs (1991), and Gigi Goode showcased a look inspired by Troop Beverly Hills (1989).{{cite web |last=Adelino |first=Saulo |title=S12E05 – Runway – Planet Of The Capes |url=https://draglicious.com.br/2020/03/29/s12e05-runway-planet-of-the-capes/ |date=March 29, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2024 |website=Draglicious |language=PT-br |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418120907/https://draglicious.com.br/2020/03/29/s12e05-runway-planet-of-the-capes/ |url-status=live }} Sherry Pie wore an Elvis Presley-inspired outfit.{{cite web |last=Windsor |first=Rachel |title=RuPaul's Drag Race season 12: Disqualified for catfishing, Sherry Pie wins again and viewers are unhappy |url=https://meaww.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-12-sherry-pie-normani-gays-anatomy-nicky-doll-gigi-goode-britta-aiden |date=March 27, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2024 |website=Meaww |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326220030/https://meaww.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-12-sherry-pie-normani-gays-anatomy-nicky-doll-gigi-goode-britta-aiden |url-status=live }}

After its episode premiere, including the companion series, Brita issued an apology on X (formerly Twitter) for her actions towards Aiden Zhane, stating, "It is obviously not okay to bring one of my sisters down just because I was feeling a certain way".{{cite magazine |last=Damshenas |first=Sam |title=Brita issues apology for this week's episode of Drag Race Untucked |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/brita-issues-apology-for-this-weeks-episode-of-drag-race-untucked/ |date=March 30, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2024 |magazine=Gay Times |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312135432/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/brita-issues-apology-for-this-weeks-episode-of-drag-race-untucked/ |url-status=live }} Nicky Doll told Gay Times that she "needed to fight twice as hard to show my personality" and felt "like it was an All Stars season."{{cite magazine |last=Damshenas |first=Sam |title=Nicky Doll makes bold statement about RuPaul's Drag Race season 12 |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/nicky-doll-makes-bold-statement-about-rupauls-drag-race-season-12/ |date=March 31, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2024 |magazine=Gay Times |archive-date=January 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120084257/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/nicky-doll-makes-bold-statement-about-rupauls-drag-race-season-12/ |url-status=live }} Previously eliminated contestants Dahlia Sin and Rock M. Sakura shared on social media what they would have worn for the runway had they still been in the competition.{{cite magazine |last=Nolfi |first=Joey |title=See the RuPaul's Drag Race season 12 looks that didn't make it to the runway |url=https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-season-12-eliminated-queens-runway-looks/ |date=April 6, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Dotdash Meredith |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209205846/https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-season-12-eliminated-queens-runway-looks/ |url-status=live }}

Dylan B. Jones of The Guardian said the episode started with Gigi Goode crying due to the recent elimination and "drag queens crying will never not be good [television] ... second only to Julianne Moore crying". He described the acting challenge as "throwing things up in the air" and noted that Nicky Doll could be up for elimination (the article is written as a "live" blog). He also mentions the rivalry storyline involving Aiden Zhane is too "predictable" and will "start to run thin pretty quick."{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Dylan B |title=RuPaul's Drag Race recap: season 12, episode five |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/mar/30/rupauls-drag-race-recap-season-12-episode-five |date=March 30, 2020 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311185904/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/mar/30/rupauls-drag-race-recap-season-12-episode-five |url-status=live }} In a four-out-of-five review, Paul McCallion of Vulture said the acting challenge "cements itself as one of the better installments" such as "Breastworld". McCalliion praised Brita and said he "can attest to the star quality she exudes on stage."{{cite news |last=McCallion |first=Paul |title=RuPaul's Drag Race recap: The girls are fighting! |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/03/rupauls-drag-race-recap-season-12-episode-5-gays-anatomy.html |date=March 27, 2020 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |newspaper=Vulture |publisher=Vox Media |url-access=limited |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602222055/https://www.vulture.com/2020/03/rupauls-drag-race-recap-season-12-episode-5-gays-anatomy.html |url-status=live }} Kate Kulzick of The A.V. Club rated the episode a B+ and said the parody draws on many "memorable installments" of Grey's Anatomy. Some contestants were "standouts but [there were] no lowlights". She also criticized the judging panel being "vague".{{cite news |last=Kulzick |first=Kate |title=RuPaul's Drag Race celebrates the charms and excesses of "Gay's Anatomy" |url=https://www.avclub.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-celebrates-the-charms-and-excesses-o-1842534320 |date=March 27, 2020 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |newspaper=The A.V. Club |publisher=G/O Media |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202164624/https://www.avclub.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-celebrates-the-charms-and-excesses-o-1842534320 |url-status=live }} Jom Elauria of Screen Rant included the sketch parody in a list comprising the series 10 best acting challenges in 2022.{{cite web |last=Elauria |first=Jom |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Ten best acting maxi challenges |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-best-acting-maxi-challenges-ranked/ |date=June 26, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2024 |website=Screen Rant |publisher=Valnet Inc. |archive-date=July 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719010726/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-best-acting-maxi-challenges-ranked/ |url-status=live }}

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{{reflist}}

• {{cite web |last=O'Keeffe |first=Kevin |title=RuPaul's Drag Race season 12, episode 5 recap: It's a medical mystery |url=https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-season-12-episode-5-recap-169137 |date=March 28, 2020 |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=Xtra Magazine |publisher=Pink Triangle Press }}
• {{cite web |last=Cuby |first=Michael |title=Exit interview: RuPaul's Drag Race queen Nicky Doll on going home |url=https://www.nylon.com/nicky-doll-rupauls-drag-race |date=April 1, 2020 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Nylon |publisher=Bustle Digital Group }}

• {{IMDb episode|12031582|Gay's Anatomy}}

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Category:Grey's Anatomy

Category:RuPaul's Drag Race season 12 episodes

Category:Television episodes about television

Category:Television episodes set in hospitals