Debuting THURSDAY, APRIL 23 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO (Crave in Canada), the new six-episode unscripted series WE’RE HERE recruits local residents across small-town America to participate in a one-night-only drag show. In each episode, renowned drag queens Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara and Shangela Laquifa Wadley visit a different small town to inspire and teach their own “drag daughters” to step outside their comfort zone for a night of no-holds-barred, full-on drag.  Be sure to scroll to the bottom to read about Dragnificent, another similar type series that’s debuted on TLC.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW

This show is realness. Not only do the selected participants represent a wide spectrum from each location, the show also does a great job at getting up close and intimate with each of these individuals. Viewers learn about their past and current situations, some of the struggles they’ve gone through, and why they agreed to be on the show.

Right from the get-go when the girls arrive into town, there’s a varied reaction from the locals when first seeing three extravagant drag queens parading down the main street. There’s shock, excitement, horror, and hate. The show does a great job at depicting all of these by way of slight interactions with some of the locals, to more intimate conversations that take place in businesses and even inside some of their homes.

The first three episodes spotlight straight men and women, gay and bi men and women, and trans/non-binary community members who all want to get up on stage and be the fiercest they can be for just one night. After five days, the participants get to take the stage at a local venue that the entire community is invited to attend. The results are heartwarming, with friends and family members watching and cheering on.

The three super queens themselves often share their own intimate moments, divulging things that many fans may not be aware of in their personal lives. There’s something quite magical about getting people to open up, and yes several scenes are emotional, but in the end the hope is to bring joy and enlightenment to not only the locals, but the viewers at home as well.

DIGITAL SCREENING PREMIERE

Join The Queens For An Uplifting Pre-Show Featuring Appearances By Drew Barrymore, Monét X Change, Hayley Kiyoko, Ellen Pompeo, Andrew Rannells And Naomi Watts

HBO, Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara and Shangela Laquifa Wadley want fans to know #WereHere  together during this pandemic. In an effort to share the positivity and transformative powers of drag culture, the Queens are hosting an uplifting digital pre-show with celebrity guests leading into the WE’RE HERE series debut. The premiere episode will also be made available for free to all via the YouTube Premieres platform and by participating affiliates, HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and partners’ streaming platforms.  
 
Beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 23rd, the approximately 30-minute digital event simulcasted on HBO’s YouTube channel, HBO’s Twitter profile, and by participating affiliates will feature celebrity cameos and behind-the-scenes intel, while raising money for great causes. HBO will make donations to two organizations: Free Mom Hugs and Mama Dragons, and viewers will be encouraged to support any way they can.
 
Following the pre-show, the premiere of WE’RE HERE will debut for free on the YouTube Premieres platform at 9:00 p.m. ET, the same time it premieres on HBO. Anyone and everyone nationwide will be able to experience the magic of the series while live-chatting with the Queens using the YouTube Premieres chat function.
 
Links to #WereHere Together Pre-Show:
Youtube
Twitter
 
Link to Premiere on Youtube Premieres:
Youtube Premieres

Episodes include:

Episode 1: “Gettysburg, Pennsylvana”
Debut date: THURSDAY, APRIL 23 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara, and Shangela Laquifa Wadley arrive in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to put on a one-night-only drag show featuring locals in need of a little support and empowerment, including: Hunter, a young, gay make-up artist yearning for a deeper connection with his father; Darryl, a local college admissions officer hoping to tell a story of race in America while being an effective ally to the LGBTQ community; and Erica, a conservative Christian mother eager to reconnect with her estranged daughter Hailey, who recently came out as bisexual.
Directed by Peter LoGreco.

Episode 2: “Twin Falls, Idaho”
Debut date: THURSDAY, APRIL 30 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Bob, Eureka, and Shangela head west to Twin Falls, Idaho, a conservative, predominately Mormon community in Magic Valley. There, they meet Michael, Owen, and Amelia, a group of local drag artists who need help forming a community. In order to do just that, the queens work with: Clifton, a young, straight musician trying to make amends for his past by testing his definition of masculinity; and Brandon, a trans man, and his wife, Mikayla – high school sweethearts from religious families – who are looking for the wedding experience they didn’t have the first time around.
Directed by Peter LoGreco.

Episode 3: “Branson, Missouri”
Debut date: THURSDAY, MAY 7 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
In Branson, Missouri, a wholesome showbiz town smack in the middle of the Bible Belt, Bob, Eureka, and Shangela help three locals struggling to be their true selves in a community that prides itself on its traditional, religious values. Among them are Tanner, a young actor questioning whether it’s possible for him to be both Christian and gay; Charles, a classically-trained dancer who wants to show that he’s not just out, but proud; and Chris, a father grappling with mental health issues who’s determined to embrace his emotions for the sake of his daughter.
Directed by Peter LoGreco.

WE’RE HERE is available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO on Demand and Crave in Canada. See below for individual episode synopsis.

WE’RE HERE is created and executive produced by Producer Entertainment Group, Stephen Warren and Johnnie Ingram; directed and executive produced by Peter LoGreco; executive produced by Eli Holzman & Aaron Saidman for Industrial Media’s The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC). Caldwell Tidicue (Bob the Drag Queen), David Huggard (Eureka O’Hara) and D.J. Pierce (Shangela Laquifa Wadley) serve as consulting producers.  

DRAGNIFICENT

Another draglicisous show to watch is Dragnificent. Catch Thorgy Thor, Alexis Michelle, Jujubee and Bebe Zahara Benet as they transform Plain Janes ahead of their wedding day. With each queen bringing their unique skill sets of makeup (Alexis), event-planning (BeBe), fashion (Jujubee) and music (Thorgy), these bride-to-bes are guaranteed to stun on their big day. The makeover docuseries debuted on TLC April 20, with new episodes airing on Mondays at 10/9c.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.