AJ and the Queen

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Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 10, 2020
Metascore
46

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8
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Where To Watch

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Critic Reviews

  1. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Liz Shannon Miller
    Jan 10, 2020
    83
    The half-hour-per-episode version of this show might have ultimately been stronger, even though many episodes don’t feel overlong. Beyond those moments, there are so many freewheeling touches over the course of the season that keep the fun alive.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Robyn Bahr
    Jan 10, 2020
    60
    The story plays like a wobbly, if occasionally charming, amalgamation of La Cage Aux Folles, Every Which Way but Loose and Curly Sue. ... The show's nostalgia for slapstick, false identities, chase sequences and general "Let's get out of here!" hijinks may test some viewers' loyalty to RuPaul, but the narrative gradually evolves into a sensitive exploration of created families.
  3. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: Spencer Kornhaber
    Jan 15, 2020
    50
    Extremely uneven but often-lovable 10-episode comedy series.
  5. Salon
    Reviewed by: Ashlie D. Stevens
    Jan 15, 2020
    50
    There are moments that are absolutely transcendently funny. ... But the series is riddled with scripting snags, potentially by virtue of trying to balance camp and commentary in hour-long episodes. There are attempts at wordplay that just do not land, leaving viewers cringing. Meanwhile, Robert is charmingly unflappable, bordering on wry in his best moments, for much of the series. His introspective moments — in which he ponders aging, love, and identity — knit the series together.
  6. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Kevin Fallon
    Jan 10, 2020
    40
    I can’t say that the show is...good. Bless RuPaul for finding gravity and soulfulness in some upsettingly saccharine dialogue, a contrast to the sassily-delivered one-liners he delivers with grade-A charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent.
  7. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Rebecca Nicholson
    Jan 10, 2020
    40
    AJ and the Queen might have been a lovely film, sweet and snappy and just on the right side of unique, but at 10 episodes, the premise grows strained and the pace is all over the place.
  8. Variety
    Reviewed by: Daniel D'Addario
    Jan 10, 2020
    30
    Unfortunately, Netflix’s “AJ and the Queen” has little to recommend it other than Ru himself, bringing to bear the star’s charisma on a tonally uneven, shaky story and trusting that glamour will carry the day. Even RuPaul has his limitations.
  9. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Kathryn VanArendonk
    Jan 10, 2020
    20
    The acting is not great. It is bad. ... Whatever its intention, AJ and the Queen is indeed awful. But it’s not good because of it.

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Most Discussed TV Season of 2020

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 43
  3. Negative: 13 out of 43
  1. rivalskools
    Jan 11, 2020
    2
    AJ and the Queen has promise from looking at the trailer. I’ve watched pretty much ever series of Drag Race and in all honestly any hype forAJ and the Queen has promise from looking at the trailer. I’ve watched pretty much ever series of Drag Race and in all honestly any hype for this new show is quite undeserved. I can’t tell if RuPaul can act or not, and I’m sure the kid who plays AJ is talented in another else but damn this is a complete train wreck.

    AJ is the most irritating character I’ve came across on Television, the sad thing is it’s the why the character is written more than anything - bratty and constantly displaying angst and attitude, it gets REAL tired after the first episode.

    The plot is basic and predictable, in all honestly the relationship between AJ and RuPaul is completely unbelievable. Let’s hope Netflix cancels this after this season. I have no idea why shows like the OA get cancelled and the likes of AJ and the Queen get the green light    … Full Review »
  2. KnottyGirl
    Jan 24, 2020
    3
    I am a huge fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race and was really excited to see the arrival of AJ and the Queen on Netflix. Unfortunately, my excitementI am a huge fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race and was really excited to see the arrival of AJ and the Queen on Netflix. Unfortunately, my excitement didn’t last long, for a myriad of reasons. First, the acting was way over the top at some points and completely flat at others. I’m sure that Izzy G is a nice little kid and all but her acting was like fingernails on a chalkboard...painful. I found the acting of much of the rest of the cast pretty bad too, including RuPaul himself, which surprised me. I assumed that, with his years in the entertainment industry, he would be a fairly seasoned actor. Next, the storyline was just ridiculous! The writing team tried to cram way too much in and it just became too outrageous at times and left plot line gaps in other places. So much so that, what could have been quite funny just fell flat on its face. The only true enjoyment I got from this show was spotting and identifying the Queens from RPDR. Such a disappointment!… Full Review »
  3. HonneyNos
    Jan 16, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. The spoiler is RuPaul is not nearly good enough at acting to pull off even the limited requirements of his part in this poorly written, bungled attempt to cash in on his limited appeal as a social media star. I don't know why I even tried this out.… Full Review »
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