# Drag Story Time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 22, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362 "2022-11-22T05:05:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2022, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/61 "2022-11-26T23:10:32Z")
> [@StraightTalk](#): > > I would consider Tyler Perry as Madea as just acting. > [@Understanding Drag](#): > > **Drag** is a type of entertainment where people dress up and perform, often in highly stylized ways. The term originated as British theater slang in the 19th century and was used to describe women’s clothing worn by men. > **[Understanding Drag](https://transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-drag)** > > Drag is a type of entertainment where people dress up and perform, often in highly stylized ways. The term originated as British theater slang in the 19th century and was used to describe women’s clothing worn by men. … ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2022, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/62 "2022-11-26T23:40:34Z")
In the 60s-70s, I recall periodically seeing female impersonators sharing the bill on a variety show or something. Liam Barbra, etc. Are they considered drag? ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2022, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/63 "2022-11-26T23:46:36Z")
> [@StraightTalk](#): > > Is any man dressed as a woman considered “drag”? In the service of artistic performance, yes. Boy George performed in drag with the band Culture Club. Dana Carvey performed in drag as The Church Lady on _Saturday Night Live_. Note that it’s not always men in drag portraying as women. For example, Julie Andrews perform much of the film _Victor/Victoria_ in drag. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2022, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/64 "2022-11-26T23:46:50Z")
Flip Wilsons Geraldine. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2022, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/65 "2022-11-26T23:48:06Z")
> [@StraightTalk](#): > > Interesting. Is any man dressed as a woman considered “drag”? I would consider Tyler Perry as Madea as just acting. ⁢ It’s not just acting, but the fact that he created this whole over-the-top, sassy comedic persona that he keeps using. He stays in character and improvises as Madea. She’s not just a character he plays in some movies. Now, I don’t think he himself describes it as drag, but it really does seem to be drag in all but name. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2022, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/66 "2022-11-26T23:53:05Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > In the 60s-70s, I recall periodically seeing female impersonators sharing the bill on a variety show or something. Liam Barbra, etc. Are they considered drag? Yes. It might help to think of the subversion range of drag being much the same as other general performing arts like comedy, acting, music, etc. Comedy can be performed clean or blue. Acting can range from _Mister Rodgers Neighborhood_ to Ron Jeremy’s ouvre. Music can range similarly (say, Raffi to 2 Live Crew?). So it is with drag. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/67 "2022-11-27T00:52:38Z")
**Dinddale’s** post led me to find this Jim Bailey performance on _The Ed Sullivan Show_ in 1970. Yes, the same Ed Sullivan who famously pressed Jim Morrison and Mick Jagger to sanitize their lyrics on his show. But no problem with featuring a drag performer … I mean a _female impersonator._ [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/46YARbNvr9s/hqdefault.jpg "Jim Bailey Impersonates Judy Garland on The Ed Sullivan Show") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46YARbNvr9s) ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/68 "2022-11-27T01:53:09Z")
Hard to type on mobile. One name re wholesome drag- Mrs Doubtfire ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/69 "2022-11-27T02:43:22Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Is it problematic if the stripper takes her kid to work? Is it okay to take your kid to a drag show? Whatever floats your boat? Drag queen != stripper. Drag is not inherently sexual any more than Bosom Buddies was a porno. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/70 "2022-11-27T02:47:45Z")
Thanks for posting that link. Damn, Jim Bailey was talented. ---
**Author:** ![StraightTalk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straighttalk/32/9982_2.png) [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/71 "2022-11-27T05:53:17Z")
Would it be safe to say that trans is lifestyle (i.e. how you live your life) and drag is for a performance? ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/72 "2022-11-27T14:15:19Z")
Tom hanks right? Funny and so ridiculous iirc. I wouldn’t call them drag queens though. Madea character cracks me up but I wouldn’t call her a drag queen either. Would I be correct in saying not all drag/artists/ performers are queens or kings. I’m probably got it wrong but imo to be a queen is to portray that diva personality, edgy, bombastic, witty and outrageous. Fay and Fluffy created by drag artists yet is Fay and Fluffy a drag genre? ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/73 "2022-11-27T17:08:33Z")
> [@StraightTalk](#): > > Would it be safe to say that trans is lifestyle (i.e. how you live your life) and drag is for a performance? **Banquet Bear’s** link up in post #61 covers this well. I believe the answer to your question is “yes” except to note that transgender status is a matter of _identity_ rather than lifestyle. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/74 "2022-11-27T17:21:59Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Tom hanks right? Funny and so ridiculous iirc. I wouldn’t call them drag queens though. > > Madea character cracks me up but I wouldn’t call her a drag queen either. > > **Would I be correct in saying not all drag/artists/ performers are queens or kings.** On the bolded, you would be correct. Even in the realm of established drag queens & kings, the drag persona is not always presented during performance. RuPaul – probably the drag queen most familiar with the American mainstream – has many non-drag credits in film and television. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/75 "2022-11-27T17:42:37Z")
Just keep the kids away from the ABBA show. ---
**Author:** ![StraightTalk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straighttalk/32/9982_2.png) [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/76 "2022-11-27T20:23:47Z")
Can I just say that I appreciate the respectful discussion we are having… ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2022, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/77 "2022-11-28T10:10:05Z")
Some more nonsexual drag, unless you count double entendres (in which case the whole genre of panto is going into the bin anyway): > **[Hinge and Bracket](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinge_and_Bracket)** > > Dr Evadne Hinge and Dame Hilda Bracket were characters devised by George Logan and Patrick Fyffe for their comedy and musical act. Hinge and Bracket were elderly, intellectual female musicians; in these personae the male Logan and Fyffe played and sang songs to comic effect. They made many appearances on television and radio. The two generally performed together, but on rare occasions appeared separately. > The partnership ended when Patrick Fyffe died of cancer at the age of 60 in 2002. > Patri... ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2022, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/78 "2022-11-28T10:41:34Z")
Indeed. When they made their breakthrough into the straight audience, one archetypal old lady was heard to say to another “Aren’t they wonderful for their age”. Going further back, Mrs Shufflewick appeared quite often on BBC radio variety shows, and in those days double entendre jokes would be very limited. More recently Lily Savage ('“the blonde bombsite”) managed several series fronting a family-time TV gameshow without frightening the horses - much. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2022, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362/79 "2022-11-28T10:47:14Z")
Not to mention Grayson Perry’s “Claire” persona. Apart from, you know, being a guy in a wig and dress, “Claire” just acted like a normal person, not some sex bomb. I believe Perry has largely retired Claire, as he says he’s getting too old to deal with all the slap etc. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-story-time/975362.md?page=3)