“Time for a show. Drag me out” is a program in which really very masculine men: (four-time winner of the World Champion title in the IFBB Classic Bodybuilding category, privately a husband), Dariusz Zdrójkowski (father of actors Adam and Jakub Zdrójkowski, participant of “Azja Express” ), Kamil Szymczak (an influencer dealing with travel and extreme sports, he has 2.7 million fans on Tik Tok), actor Michał Mikołajczak, participant of the 12th edition of “Tadeusz Mikołajczak (works as a personal trainer) and they transform into Drag Queens. In other words, in the style of Polish cabarets: boys dress up as women, but they really look like girls. They are supposed to dance, go crazy on stage to the greatest hits of popular music, look spectacular and simply have fun.
Nothing divided the country like the new TVN program. “Poland is finished”
However, it is not the case that the participants go into the dressing room and do whatever they feel like. They are performed by the following performers: Himera, Gąsiu, Shady Lady, Ciotka Offka, Adelon and Your Stara. Everyone was paired up, thanks to which the mentors explain to their mentees the essence of drag and help them understand the principles of artistic performance, which is shocking to many. At the same time, of course, there is the matter of stage make-up, selecting appropriately spectacular costumes and, to the horror of most participants, learning to walk in heels. In each episode, the men have to prepare a performance, which is then assessed by a jury (the actor himself played a drag queen in the series “Queen” not so long ago), and . In this way, the winning couple will be selected and will receive a prize – a very impressive tiara.
The program offers entertainment, and at the same time has the side effect of providing a dose of basic knowledge about the world of Drag Queens. After watching the first episode featuring Marcin Łopucki, Kamil Szymczak and Michał Mikołajczak, I assure you that the participants are truly terrified of what they agreed to. This, despite all the TV coverage and harsh product placement, shows very well. I would say that they are scared in an endearing way (especially Łopucki), but the great advantage is that they talk openly about their fears of embarrassment, insecurities and fears and no one ridicules them. Mentors patiently explain to them what it’s all about, and they fight their resistance. The drag transformations were spectacular (although it amuses me that the mentors turned them into clones) and the most visible thing on stage was the great uncertainty in wearing high heels.
Who is bothered by the new TVN program “Drag me out” and why?
The program, of course, caused controversy, especially in circles promoting conservative views and so-called traditional values. Journalist Agaton Koziński sees “Drag me out” as a future cause of lower birth rates in Poland. “This program is being launched, the government has simultaneously liquidated the Generation Institute, which was looking for solutions to demographic problems. And within a year at the latest, there will be a series of laments in the media about the fact that fewer and fewer children are being born, a demographic collapse and a drama,” he wrote on the X website. Let us add that the said the institute was established during the term of office of PiS and its budget for 2024 was to be PLN 10 million (the same as, for example, PAN received).
“How can you substantively argue with an entry that links low fertility rates with a program where Tomasz Karolak dances in a woman’s disguise?” – noted Marcin Łuniewski, a journalist from Akademickie Radio Kampus, “Rzeczpospolita” and TVN 24, in the comments. Koziński maintains: “I do not intend to claim that Karolak as a drag changes anything – but today it has become a symbol of a broadly understood change in cultural norms, the result of which is the lack of children.”
Meanwhile, under posts on TVN’s website, for various reasons, outraged users of the platform write: “This is the result of the lack of compulsory military service… a failure”, “And what else will TVN come up with? Because if this is supposed to be art, someone must have made a mistake , I am very disgusted”, “Sodom and Gomorrah. Only TVN could show something like that”, “Something is wrong with these people, they fought like this for money”. Some people believe that 9:35 p.m. is too early to broadcast “Drag me Out”: “At least change the program hours. After 11 p.m., you can’t fall any further” or “I think this program should be shown during movie times for youth, i.e. after 22” – postulate people who are unaware of the fact that there is no violence there, and as a rule, vulgarisms and sexual content are avoided.
When quoting Internet users’ opinions, we maintain the original spelling.
“People don’t know what to do with themselves anymore, what to wear in order to be seen. There’s a sick insistence on glass. Still insisting that if someone doesn’t like it, they don’t know art, insulting normal people who no longer have the right to express themselves freely , because they are either trolls or they are not tolerant,” writes one of the users, who may not fully distinguish between constructive criticism of the program for its technical or implementation shortcomings and criticism related to prejudices against people dealing with drag and the LGBT+ community in general.
Some people try to propose other programs instead of “Drag me out”: “Bring back strongmen competitions or I know… maybe city competitions?”, “It’s just a tragedy. Let them fly around in their dresses, but other smarter things could be promoted. Where is ‘ A Million in Mind’, ‘The Great Game’ – generally programs from which you can learn something? Not promoting bullshit and fooling society. Men in dresses, funny.” Others wonder: “I see that only women are waiting. These programs on TVN are getting worse and worse. What is this for?”
It is also interesting that some people are bothered by the fact that Andrzej Seweryn takes part in the program: “It is embarrassing what is happening to our culture and art. Where is this world heading? I have nothing against drag, but how can such an outstanding actor participate in it? , which is a reflection of art at the highest level, it works there, he must have lost his mind. We cannot slander such a phenomenon, but if the authorities of theater and film of fine art have lost themselves so much, there are no words. Mucha and Szpak can disgrace themselves, but Seweryn? And Karolak is an actress, along with Kożuchowska, the greatest acting failure,” writes one of the people dissatisfied with the program. A classic example of “I’m not prejudiced, but…” rhetoric. There was also someone on Twitter who was offended by the actor’s choices: “‘Drag me out’, the new TVN program, simply embarrassing, Andrzej Seweryn as a juror, you can’t fall any lower, extremely artificial,” writes a disgusted user of the platform. Oh my.
There are voices calling for a more balanced approach to the matter, because no one is forcing anyone to watch the program: “I probably won’t watch it, but that doesn’t mean I have to criticize it. Freedom of choice and tolerance are enough.” “, “I see that the malcontents do not understand that everyone can watch whatever they want? Rupaul’s Drag Race has conquered the world. I personally watched a few seasons. And I saw stars like Bianca del Rio live. They are artists. If someone prefers to watch Zenek dancing, cool, but he doesn’t have to immediately criticize those who want to watch something else”, “I wish backward people to open up to the world. Understand that this is a show, not a perversion. These people are not doing anything bad to anyone…” .
The program also generates a lot of positive reactions. Even before the premiere of the first episode, viewers wrote under materials devoted to “Drag me out”, among others: “I am really looking forward to this program. After watching the series ‘Queen’ even more. I like the colour, splendor, make-up. I wish everyone good luck.” , “Oh great, finally life is colorful and not black and white like in the Polish People’s Republic, I don’t like drag, but I’ll be happy to watch it.”
After the broadcast, there were also many satisfied voices: “It’s a really great program, I was skeptical when I sat down in front of the TV”, “I’m having a great time. Great distance and great fun”, “I cried with laughter”, “It’s great to watch, I’m smiling all the time” , “I’m laughing like crazy. Great show”, “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time. Some people may not like it because of this or that, but I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt. We are different and it’s better to accept it than to mock it. Bravo for idea”.
More people add: “I love looking at the different world around us. Diversity is wonderful. Colorful birds bring so much positive energy”, “Finally an interesting program”, “Great fun. I’m waiting for further episodes. The mentors did a great job, I think their mentees they were not disappointed”, “I liked it, I’m impressed how the guys were able to learn grace and how to walk in high heels. Something completely new in our backwater country. I’m like YES.”
He gained recognition, among others: (by the way, in my opinion, absolutely rightly) Marcin Łopucki, who was warmly supported in the studio by his wife Katarzyna Skrzynecka and their two daughters: “It’s not only entertainment, but also a lesson in tolerance. Marcin Łopucki is the best! And this is how the guy struggled internally.” Other people indicate: “Show, it teaches tolerance and respect.” The participants were generally congratulated: “Respect for the courage of those who took part”, “Bravo and great respect for the participants for their distance from each other”, “An interesting experience for the men, it’s nice to watch”.
The comments also touched on the educational value of “Drag Me Out”: “The show teaches tolerance and respect”, “It was great to watch, the program is a good education for those who don’t know what Drag Queen is”, “Fantastic, historical, educational! Slightly unleavened and loud, but bordering on good entertainment! And the best Polish Drag Queens”, “If our society went through such a transformation… it would be a beautiful, colorful and positive country” – say viewers.
Everyone (certainly me) is waiting for Tomasz Karolak
In the first episode, only three of the six couples appeared, which left some of the audience somewhat dissatisfied when they saw the full line-up of participants. “No, I have to see Karolak as Drag”, “For me it’s the bomb, I’m waiting for Karolak”, “Karolak is a c**t to the system” – the viewers write, and I admit that I can’t wait either.
The actor himself did not hide his fears about the program and the cameras: – I agreed without hesitation. For me, my participation in this program is breaking a taboo, also in me. (…) This will be a huge challenge for me. In general, being in a woman’s costume close to the body, which shows all your so-called, as we think of ourselves, external shortcomings. We rarely accept ourselves, don’t we. My participation is also for me to accept myself, because I am a person who does not fully accept myself. I have to say this honestly. I’m an actor, and why does an actor get on stage? To fill some part of his deficits with the audience’s acceptance – he said boldly. And who would care?
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
