[Shaun]

I was working away when this thread was posted, so couldn't give it much thought/time... but I'm not now so here

1) All Stars 2 - will never be beaten. Iconic cast, iconic twists, iconic lipsyncs, iconic lipsync song choices, iconic runways, and very very very good challenges, too. Full of surprises (Tatianna's Same Parts, the original "send me home" twist, the mirror) and some drama that wasn't all that surprising but still entertaining (Adore being a weak brat, Rolaskatox, Phi Phi vs the World)

2) Season 6 - The first season I watched live with the world, and what a fork in the road to hop on at. The challenges were brilliant, the cast excellent, and even the filler queens provided great TV (Magnolia's downfall, Gia being Gia, Milk's gender****, Vivacious' walk)

3) Season 3 - Probably a little questionable putting it this high, but I loved the raw drama and tension of Season 3 so much. Although more of a sweatshop than anything that bears correlation with modern Drag Race (I loved the excess of sewing challenges with a cast like this, though), the performance-based ones were hits too (Shangela's standup, Stacy Layne's snatch game, Alexis' BAM) and I just adore all of the cast bar Delta, Venus and Carmen.

4) Season 4 - the original "iconic series" I think, due to its many firsts (first disqualification, first finale in front of an audience, first underdog winner, first real runaway fan favourite Miss Congeniality)... a truly legendary cast and probably the most explosive drama of all time (Phi Phi vs Willam, Jiggly vs Lashauwn, Sharon vs Phi Phi).

5) Season 10 - I think, with time, I might even place this higher... because the cast and the drama were so, so great. I hope it isn't the last "great" Drag Race season... but at the same time it'll be hard to beat. Would be blue if not for the messy finale.

6) Season 2 - dipping out of the blue "all time faves" list now, Season 2 just misses out because there were too many filler queens and the runways were often a mess. But some of the queens and the Untucked drama were stellar.

7) All Stars 3 - obviously the finale ruined it, but there were so many good moments here and I got to fully stan the legend that is Kennedy Davenport wining with that brilliant Bitchelor "I'M A MAN X" moment and then pettily sending Milk home (even though she deserved to go anyway). Some very, very good drama and arguably the biggest shock of all time with Dela's self-elimination.

8) Season 5 - whilst still a very good season, I would argue that it is supremely overrated for one reason only: the focus on one damn storyline (Coco vs Alyssa). I struggle, with hindsight, to understand why anyone would care that much. Otherwise, the surrounding cast were very hit or miss... but the hits were all time greats (Alaska, Detox, Jinkx, Roxxxy).

9) UK Season 1 - I had difficulty placing this because it was so much shorter than a season we are accustomed to, and yet was still wonderful and British and unique. It was miles better than I anticipated... but at the same time I don't think it'll match the allure of the original. Give it time, though, and who knows?

10) Season 7 - hated it at the time, but with hindsight the ridiculous elimination order has become less irritating and stinging. Actually no, **** Pearl. Cow. But still... some great queens and drama, but awful challenges (Shakesqueer still haunts me).

11) Season 1 - Obviously can't place it any higher because of its brevity, low budget and complete alienation from any other season... but I still love its rawness and completely unique take on a drag reality show.

12) All Stars 4 - It was promising until Manila left. I don't like to place the gravity of an entire season on one queen but if there's any example of "a shocking twist can also break a series, not just make it", it was this. Huge cop out of a winner, too. Loved Monet but she was not a top 2 queen, let alone a winner.

13) Season 8 - I still enjoyed this season somewhat, but the moment Betty was sent home it became a one horse race (because Thorgy had already received the bitter edit)... not great for runways or challenges, but I think Bitch Perfect was the best "lipsync challenge" there's been.

14) Season 9 - A huge amount of talent and unique queens here, but my god this season was so boring and I largely blame Sasha Mature for that. Any workroom drama just became a platform for her to drone on about nothing and silence the room. Says a lot when the biggest "fight" at the reunion involves Farrah Moan.

15) All Stars 1 - many, many iconic Untucked moments but not enough to excuse the trainwreck of the main season.

16) Season 11 - hands down the most tedious season of all time. Too many overbearing assholes, too many bad challenges, not enough unique talent. Brooke bored me, Vanjie suffered from overexposure, the Soju cyst joke was a flop, Yvie was a **** and Silky wasn't much better. Snatch Game SUCKED. And of course the only finalist who deserved to win ends up flopping in a lipsync. RIP A'Keria, you deserved a better season. Twerking was a blessing.