Squirrel Games

File:KatyPerryWestminst111224 (81 of 95) (54206733094) (cropped 2).jpg (pictured in 2024) was a guest judge.]]

The episode opens with 14 contestants transported to an undisclosed location where several previous competitors from the franchise join them. To continue in the competition, the drag performers play the children's game red light, green light.{{cite web |last=Block |first=Michael |title=RuPaul's Drag Race just won the perfect Squid Game twist |url=https://collider.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-17-squid-game-cold-open/ |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |magazine=Collider |publisher=Valnet }} In place of the game's traditional rules, contestants have to dance across the field when music plays. When the music stops, they strike a pose. Any movement detected results in the player being pied in the face and eliminated. Afterwards, the remaining 14 contestants who "survived" the game are allowed to enter the workroom.{{cite magazine |last=Yee |first=Lawrence |title=RuPaul's Drag Race season 17: Watch the first 10 minutes of the Squid Game-themed premiere |url=https://people.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-watch-the-first-10-minutes-of-season-17-exclusive-8768052 |date=January 2, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |magazine=People |publisher=Dotdash Meredith |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103143206/https://people.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-watch-the-first-10-minutes-of-season-17-exclusive-8768052 |url-status=live }}

As the contestants meet each other, RuPaul revealed that they had unknowingly competed in their first photo shoot mini-challenge. Lana Ja'Rae is deemed the winner, earning a cash tip of $2,500.{{cite magazine |last=Robledo |first=Jordan |title='I'm living for it': Fans react to Drag Race season 17's twist-filled premiere episode |url=https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/im-living-for-it-fans-react-to-drag-race-season-17s-twist-filled-premiere-episode/ |date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |magazine=Gay Times |archive-date=January 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105043756/https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/im-living-for-it-fans-react-to-drag-race-season-17s-twist-filled-premiere-episode/ |url-status=live }} RuPaul announces the first main challenge, tasking contestants with forming two groups to participate in a talent show that will span two episodes. The next day, as the contestants prepare for the show, American singer Katy Perry enters the workroom requesting tucking tape; the singer immediately recognizes Joella.{{cite news |last=Osei-Tutu |first=Demetria |title=Katy Perry meets old fan on RuPaul's Drag Race, leaving viewers 'gagged' |url=https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/katy-perry-meets-old-fan-889928 |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |newspaper=The Mirror US |publisher=Reach plc |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104032754/https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/katy-perry-meets-old-fan-889928 |url-status=live }} Perry offers the queens advice for success.{{cite magazine |last=Mier |first=Tomás |title=Watch Katy Perry surprise the RuPaul's Drag Race queens in season 17 premiere |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/katy-perry-rupauls-drag-race-queens-premiere-1235225232/ |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104035059/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/katy-perry-rupauls-drag-race-queens-premiere-1235225232/ |url-status=live }}

File:Suzietoot (cropped).jpg (pictured in 2025) as the winner from the episode.]]

RuPaul introduces Katy Perry as the guest judge, alongside regular panelist Michelle Visage and alternating judge Carson Kressley.{{cite magazine |last=Daw |first=Stephen |title=Katy Perry is sashaying onto the RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 premiere |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/katy-perry-drag-race-season-17-premiere-guest-judge-1235854300/ |date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=January 16, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |archive-date=December 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226160026/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/katy-perry-drag-race-season-17-premiere-guest-judge-1235854300/ |url-status=live }} "Masc for Masked Singer" is the runway category, which requires contestants to present mask-themed outfits. During the talent show, Acacia Forgot performed and played guitar and Arrietty wore a traditional and danced baile folklórico. Next, there were three original lip-syncs: Jewels Sparkles choreographed a milk-themed song,{{cite web |last=Villa |first=Lucas |title=The Latina queens on Drag Race season 17 proudly represented their roots in season premiere |url=https://remezcla.com/film/latina-queens-drag-race-season-17-season-premiere/ |date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=Remezcla |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104230826/https://remezcla.com/film/latina-queens-drag-race-season-17-season-premiere/ |url-status=live }} Joella performed a song referring to her drag name, and Lucky Starzzz lip-synced about making lemonade. Finally, Lydia B Kollins performed a burlesque-comedy routine and Suzie Toot performed a tap dance number that included a joke about reciting the "Gettysburg Address" (1863) in Morse code.{{cite news |last=Benutty |first=Joey |title=RuPaul’s Drag Race 17 group one power rankings from best (Suzie Toot) to worst (Joella) |url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2025/rupauls-drag-race-17-group-one-power-rankings-suzie-toot-joella/ |date=January 7, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=Gold Derby |publisher=Penske Media Corporation }}

Acacia Forgot was revealed to be in last place based on the rankings from her fellow contestants. She was informed that she would be lip-syncing next week against the lowest-ranked queen of the second talent show group. Jewels Sparkles and Suzie Toot were ranked as the top two contestants for the week and faced off in a lip-sync contest to Perry's "Woman's World" (2024). Suzie Toot won the lip-sync contest and earned a cash prize of $5,000.{{cite magazine |last=Huff |first=Matthew|title=Sashay away! Who was eliminated in the RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 premiere? |url=https://parade.com/tv/who-was-eliminated-from-rupauls-drag-race-season-17-episode-1-2025 |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |magazine=Parade |publisher=Parade Media }}

"Squirrel Games" was previewed in a lengthy promotional trailer for season 17 on December 12, 2024. This included various scenes of the rankings format and talent show.{{cite magazine |last=Huff |first=Matthew |title=RuPaul's Drag Race drops season 17 trailer with deranged new twist |url=https://parade.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-season-17 |date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=January 14, 2025 |magazine=Parade |publisher=Parade Media }} An online video was released through YouTube that featured the first 10 minutes of the episode. It showcased the reappearance of Lil' Poundcake, a fictional character created by Alaska Thunderfuck and Lineysha Sparx in a previous season of the series.{{cite news |title=Drag queens turn deadly: RuPaul's Drag Race launches season 17 with Squid Game parody |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2519796/drag-queens-turn-deadly-rupauls-drag-race-launches-season-17-with-squid-game-parody |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 14, 2025 |newspaper=The Express Tribune |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114183845/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2519796/drag-queens-turn-deadly-rupauls-drag-race-launches-season-17-with-squid-game-parody |url-status=live }}

The season 17 premiere episode was directed by Nick Murray.{{cite rotten tomatoes |title=Squirrel Games |id=rupauls_drag_race |season=17 |episode=1 |type=tv |access-date=January 6, 2025}} The episode opens with a comedic challenge and an ironic imitation of the South Korean dystopian survival series Squid Game (2021–2025).{{cite news |last=Brocklehurst |first=Harrison |title=No way: The new season of Drag Race is starting with a wild Squid Game challenge |url=https://thetab.com/2025/01/03/no-way-the-new-season-of-drag-race-is-starting-with-a-wild-squid-game-challenge |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=The Tab }} This coincided with the season two premier of Squid Games; its second season was released a week before the episode.{{cite news |last=Palmer |first=Haasch |title=Squid Game season 2 is coming in December, according to its star Lee Jung-jae |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/squid-game-season-2-release-date-premiere-lee-jung-jae-2024-5 |date=May 15, 2024 |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=Business Insider |publisher=Insider Inc. |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514233710/https://www.businessinsider.com/squid-game-season-2-release-date-premiere-lee-jung-jae-2024-5 |url-status=live }} There were various cameo appearances from past contestants such as Angeria Paris VanMichaels, Aura Mayari, Jaymes Mansfield, Kerri Colby, Kylie Sonique Love, Mayhem Miller, Morgan McMichaels, Trinity the Tuck, and Victoria "Porkchop" Parker.{{cite web |last=Wratten |first=Marcus |title=RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 gags fans with wild Squid Game challenge |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/01/03/rupauls-drag-race-season-17-squid-game-challenge-squirrel-games/ |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=PinkNews |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103143206/https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/01/03/rupauls-drag-race-season-17-squid-game-challenge-squirrel-games/ |url-status=live }}

"Squirrel Games" was originally broadcast through MTV in the United States on January 3, 2025. The episode was seen by approximately from 671,000 viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research (NMR). The viewership received a five percent drop compared to its previous season premiere.{{cite web |last=Pucci |first=Douglas |title=Friday Ratings: RuPaul's Drag Race on MTV premieres its 17th season |url=https://programminginsider.com/friday-ratings-rupauls-drag-race-on-mtv-premieres-its-17th-season/ |website=Programming Insider |access-date=January 7, 2025 |date=6 January 2025 }} The episode was later released on January 4 through streaming services: Crave for Canada, Stan for Australia, and WOW Presents Plus internationally with next-day availability.{{cite web |last=Wardley |first=Tom |title=How to watch RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 online and from anywhere |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/paramount-plus/watch-rupauls-drag-race-season-17-online-anywhere |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=Tom's Guide |publisher=Future plc }}

File:Gaultier Cone bra.jpg piece (pictured) resembling Katy Perry's oversized champagne gown.]]

Perry entered the workroom in an all-black punk fashion ensemble featuring sunglasses, a hoodie bearing the all-caps phrase "sex symbol", and knee-high boots.{{cite news |last=Narayanan |first=Varsha |title=Katy Perry blends BDSM with chic in cone bra dress for RuPaul's Drag Race |url=https://www.mandatory.com/celebrities/1616885-katy-perry-bdsm-cone-bra-dress-rupauls-drag-race-season-17 |date=January 7, 2025 |access-date=January 14, 2025 |website=Mandatory }} On the main stage, Perry wore a champagne "boudoir-inspired" outfit that resembled the Jean-Paul Gaultier pink conical-bra corset made for American singer and record producer Madonna. The "part-avant garde" gown was designed by Judassime, and her choker featured an "oversized silver ring detail" customized by Zana Bayne.{{cite magazine |last=Lapid |first=Alyssa |title=Katy Perry's cone bra dress was a boudoir-inspired masterpiece |url=https://www.bustle.com/style/katy-perry-cone-bra-rupauls-drag-race |date=January 6, 2025 |access-date=January 14, 2025 |magazine=Bustle |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109195433/https://www.bustle.com/style/katy-perry-cone-bra-rupauls-drag-race |url-status=live }}

For the runway presentation:

• Acacia Forgot wore a white catsuit with a grumpy snowman helmet
• Arrietty presented a white mermaid dress, dripping in blood with an arrowed mask
• Crystal Envy dressed as a porcelain doll, which revealed a cracked skull as her mask
• Hormona Lisa wore a black and white gown with a helmet resembling a skunk{{cite news |last=Swift |first=Andy |title=Drag Race mashes Squid Game with America's Got Talent in nightmare-inducing season 17 premiere |url=https://tvline.com/recaps/drag-race-season-17-premiere-recap-results-katy-perry-1235395464/ |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=TVLine |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104023221/https://tvline.com/recaps/drag-race-season-17-premiere-recap-results-katy-perry-1235395464/ |url-status=live }}
• Jewels Sparkles showcased an Ariana Grande-inspired blue tulle gown with a masquerade piece
• Joella had an outer space-inspired illusion catsuit including a crescent moon disc
• Kori King wore a black feathered gown with a train, wearing a raven mask
• Lana Ja'Rae dressed as her cat Gouda featuring a stoned catsuit with a cat mask
• Lexi Love appeared as an astronaut suit resembling the Moonman statue from the MTV Video Music Awards{{cite news |last=DeLellis |first=Trae |title=RuPaul's Drag Race review: Here's what happened on the season 17 premiere |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/arts/rupauls-drag-race-season-17-episode-1-recap-22144286 |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |newspaper=Miami New Times |publisher=Voice Media Group |archive-date=January 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105063439/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/arts/rupauls-drag-race-season-17-episode-1-recap-22144286 |url-status=live }}
• Lucky Starzzz carried a pizza box and wore a pizza-inspired catsuit
• Lydia B Kollins wore a silver stone dress over a black catsuit and a totem mask
• Onya Nurve wore a beauty supply mask and a black decorated dress with a red-orange train
• Sam Star wore a rainbow one-shoulder gown and a beaded cloud mask
• Suzie Toot wore a tuxedo mini dress with a custom-made coin shield{{cite magazine |last=O'Keeffe |first=Kevin |title=RuPaul's Drag Race season 17, episode 1 power ranking: The first seven queens |url=https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-season-17-episode-1-power-ranking-the-first-seven-queens-270286 |date=January 6, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |magazine=Xtra Magazine |publisher=Pink Triangle Press |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107201345/https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-season-17-episode-1-power-ranking-the-first-seven-queens-270286 |url-status=live }}

Jason Frank, for entertainment website Vulture, wrote that he laughed when previous contenders were "pelted by pies" in the parody challenge. He described most of the talent show performances as "forgettable" and noted that they did not "steal control of the camera's eye". Frank criticized the lip-sync song selection as "actively bad to the point of camp" and wrote that it gave Suzie Toot an opportunity to win against Jewels Sparkles.{{cite news |last=Frank |first=Jason P. |title=RuPaul's Drag Race season-premiere recap: It's a Suzie's world |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-premiere-recap-its-a-suzies-world.html |url-access=limited |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |newspaper=Vulture |publisher=Vox Media }}

Belen Edwards, on digital media platform Mashable, enjoyed the lip-sync contest in which Jewels Sparkles performed a flexible, "high-energy" choreography, adding that Suzie Toot "breaks out a perfectly timed Charleston".{{cite news |last=Edwards |first=Belen |title=Help, I can't stop thinking about Suzie Toot's "Woman's World" lip sync |url=https://mashable.com/article/womans-world-lip-sync-suzie-toot-rupauls-drag-race-season-17 |date=January 9, 2025 |access-date=January 15, 2025 |work=Mashable |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115015556/https://mashable.com/article/womans-world-lip-sync-suzie-toot-rupauls-drag-race-season-17 |url-status=live }} Edwards also acknowledged the negative criticism around for "Woman's World" regarding Dr. Luke's role in the song's production; American singer Kesha previously accused him of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.{{cite news |last=Melendez |first=Miguel |title=Katy Perry receives pushback for having Dr. Luke produce "Woman's World" song after his Kesha legal drama |url=https://www.etonline.com/katy-perry-receives-pushback-for-having-dr-luke-produce-womans-world-song-after-his-kesha-legal?amp |date=July 11, 2024 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=Entertainment Tonight |archive-date=July 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712134921/https://www.etonline.com/katy-perry-receives-pushback-for-having-dr-luke-produce-womans-world-song-after-his-kesha-legal?amp |url-status=live }}

Kevin O'Keeffe of online publication Xtra Magazine, called the episode "solid" and stated that it "does a good job of introducing us to the queens, it breaks up the talent shows nicely and it’s just twisty enough to keep things interesting." The episode's lip-syncs were repetitive, but O'Keeffe soon realized that "those performances win", mentioning the premiere episode for season fourteen.{{cite magazine |last=O'Keeffe |first=Kevin |title=RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 premiere recap: Hey Squirrel (Games) friend! |url=https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-season-17-premiere-recap-270271 |date=January 6, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |magazine=Xtra Magazine |publisher=Pink Triangle Press |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107201603/https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-season-17-premiere-recap-270271 |url-status=live }}

• Katy Perry videography

{{reflist}}

• {{cite web |last=Guzzo |first=Bianca |title=RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 episode 1 recap: Squirrel Games |url=https://inmagazine.ca/2025/01/rupauls-drag-race-season-17-episode-1-recap-squirrel-games/ |date=January 6, 2025 |access-date=January 16, 2025 |website=In Magazine }}

• {{IMDb episode}}

{{RuPaul's Drag Race|17}}

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Category:2025 American television episodes

Category:RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 episodes

Category:Television episodes about television

Category:Works based on Squid Game