Top 10 Drag Performances on TV Sitcoms & Dramas
Anne Gould Northgraves - February 1, 2010
Tonight, you'll be seeing double drag! First, Rupaul's Drag Race has its 2nd season premiere at 9pm ET on Logo. Then, RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked! debuts at 10pm ET, giving viewers a glimpse at all the tantrums and drama that DIDN'T appear in the first hour.
What better way to celebrate the occasion than by looking back at some of the most memorable drag performances on TV sitcoms and dramas?
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Tom Hanks as Kip Wilson/Buffy
Series: Bosom Buddies Episode(s): Multiple Tom Hanks has shown amazing range in films, such as "Big," "Forrest Gump," and "Philadelphia," and it all started with this transformative role as one of two pals who must disguise themselves as women to rent an apartment. |
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David Cross as Tobias Fünke/Mrs. Featherbottom
Series: Arrested Development Episode(s): Multiple Tobias takes a positive goal — remaining close to his daughter — coupled with an ill-attempt at his atrocious acting and failed Britishisms — such as "Who wants a banger in the mouth" — and creates a scene for the ages. |
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Jamie Farr as Maxwell Klinger
Series: M*A*S*H Episode(s): Multiple Max Klinger is most remembered for his endearing and repeated attempts to be discharged from the Army for mental instability, which he tried to prove by constantly wearing elaborate women's clothing. As usual, M*A*S*H takes a serious look at the lengths people will go to leave the service AND is still genuinely funny. |
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Martin Lawrence as Sheneneh Jenkins
Series: Martin Episode(s): Multiple Martin Payne's neighbor, Sheneneh, is a sassy, fun, and hilarious woman. The character is simultaneously a send-up of stereotypes and an homage to strong-willed women who own themselves and their image. |
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Max Baer, Jr. as Jethrine Bodine
Series: The Beverly Hillbillies Episode(s): Multiple The show's lovable lug, Jethro Bodine, dressed in women's clothing to play his sister, Jethrine. Besides the comedy, Jethrine's appearance is memorable for two reasons: her voice is dubbed by an actual women (making it all the funnier) and Baer looks pretty darn good as a woman. |
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Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson
Series: How I Met Your Mother Episode(s): I Heart NJ Always the ladies' man, Barney has never shied away from a challenge. Even his biggest challenge of all: getting a lesbian to be interested in him. The show implies he has tried before, and will try again. Lucky for us, the sight of a lipstick-wearing Barney is too good to wish him much success. |
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Picture and video clip not currently available for "Grandma Jack" episode of Three's Company. |
John Ritter as Jack Tripper/Grandma Tripper
Series: Three's Company Episode(s): Grandma Jack Tripper was good at playing pretend, just like Ritter himself. From acting like a gay man around their landlord to dressing as his grandmother to win a female-only baking contest, Ritter's go-for-broke comic chops are in full effect.
Bonus Drag Appearance: John Ritter also appeared in drag on The Love Boat in the 1st season. |
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Gary Anthony Williams as Clarence "Clarice" Bell
Series: Boston Legal Episode(s): multiple episodes Clarice, the cross-dressing alter-ego of Clarence Bell, was supposedly fired for requesting maternity leave and told Alan "They don't let me take maternity, they stare at my knockers. Know what I'm sayin'?" Spoken like a truly ticked-off transvestite! |
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Tracy Morgan as Tracy Jordan Series: 30 Rock Episode(s): Believe in the Stars While attempting to prove that white women have it easier then black men in the US, Tracy ups his speaking by an octave, puts on whiteface, and dresses like a woman. And Lobster hands. Because he ran out of makeup. Yeah, it's ludicrous. And hilarious. Just ask Oprah! |
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Alexander Skarsgard as Eric
Series: True Blood Episode(s): Frenzy A traumatized Lafayette imagines a yelling Lettie Mae Thornton as the vampire who tortured him. Plus, how could we pass up the sight of Alexander Skarsgard in a dress? |
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And what about one of the best performances by a woman dressed as a man in a TV sitcom?
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Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo
Series: I Love Lucy Episode(s): multiple Whether she was dressing like a man to sneak into Ricky's shows or as Harpo to do the famous mirror stunt with the real Harpo Marx, Lucy had a knack for finding comedy in these early gender-bending stories. |
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If we missed your favorite TV character in drag, let us know with a comment.
But remember, we're only looking at TV sitcoms & dramas! That means NO Monty Python, NO Saturday Night Live, NO Kids in the Hall, NO MADtv. We love those shows too, but that's a completely separate list! That also means NO Tootsie, NO Mrs. Doubtfire, and NO Rocky Horror Picture Show. Those are all theatrical films -- if you want to see that list, then check out AMC's Top 10 Classic Drag Queens in the Movies.
Anne Gould Northgraves is a student at Ithaca College, majoring in screenwriting with a minor in learning to live with no money. Her passions include "Lost," the Red Sox, and amassing knowledge of everything about every film and television show.
Comments
Post a Comment- From: Megan
- Date: February 1, 2010
How could you not include David Duchovny as Denise in Twin Peaks?! He was one sexy lady!


