Within the past decade, channel surfing has become a popular sport among millions of Americans. However, what used to produce variety of television show categories can recently be summed up into two words: reality television.

Every network is suddenly overflowing with “real-life” drama streaming from our HD TVs. But who doesn’t love reality television? America has been hit with “American Idol” fever and “Project Runway” randiness. We live vicariously through Lauren Conrad and learn how to smile with our eyes from Tyra Banks. But is America ready to add a new reality series to their night-time regime?

RuPaul, America’s most popular drag queen, is about to take reality television to another level. Her (or should I say his) new show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” premiered at 10 PM on February 2nd on LOGO, the world’s leading network for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender audience. “Drag Race” is “America’s Next Top Model,” “Project Runway,” and “American Idol” all rolled into one.

The show brings the top 9 drag queens in the US together to compete to become America’s next RuPaul. The ladies are working their way to the top to be the one lucky lady who takes home the show’s fabulous prize: a feature photo spread in Paper magazine, a portrait taken by photographer Greg Gorman that is to be featured in a national ad campaign for L.A. Eyeworks, be the headliner for Absolut Vodka’s Pride Tour Across America, as well as $20,000, compliments of Absolut Vodka and M.A.C. cosmetics.

“Tell Tyra that the Queen has returned, and while you’re at it have Heidi clear the runway. I’m going to pump some ‘realness’ into reality,” said RuPaul. “To be a winner on this show the contestants need to be a fashion designer, an American idol, and a top model all rolled up into one. And they definitely have to be smarter than a fifth grader.”

The season premiered its first of 8 episodes last Monday. As expected, the hour long show was filled with sass, heavy make-up, and sex appeal. The show started out with a bang when RuPaul sang out, “Gentlemen, start your engines! May the best woman win!” as the ladies were thrown right into their first photo shoot, filled with hot men and wet clothing - and there was not one shy woman.

These divas are men of all shapes and sizes, from all across America, and they’re all beautiful. Prepare to be wishing for Rebecca Glasscock’s nose, performing squats to get Akashia’s butt, and looking toward every single one of them for make-up tips. Even though their eye shadow is over the top, they’re skin looks flawless. They can rock stilettos better than most women and lip-synch better than Britney Spears. These girls can work (snap)!

One thing that’s unexpected is seeing these queens in their male form, minus the drag. It’s amazing how make-up and a wig can transform a person. It may even take viewers a minute to figure out who is who. After all, Nina Flowers, who ends up winning the challenge on episode one, admits that it takes him 3 hours to apply his make-up - talk about a challenge! RuPaul also graces the stage as his true self, dressed in designer suits of course, appearing in drag only during judging.

While the show features similar characteristics of America’s favorite reality competitions, such as a judging panel deliberation that’s comparable to ANTM, it undoubtedly covets some phrases that would not be heard coming out of Tyra’s mouth. Santino Rice, a designer from “Project Runway,” told one of the ladies she looked like she was about to give a “$20 hand job” while RuPaul joked to another that she may need to go take a pregnancy test due to a risqué pose in her photo. Simply replace Tim Gunn’s “Make it work” with RuPaul’s “Don’t fuck up” and the show’s motto is as straight-forward as that.

While some viewers may be offended by the loose comments, they definitely add flavor to the show. It proves that while these queens take this contest seriously, there is no doubt that they still have room for some spice and they all have a sense of humor. So, in the closing words of RuPaul, those who can take the comments like a man, “Shante, you stay” and those who can’t can “Sashay, away.”

As with any television series, the criticism is sure to follow. But one thing this reality show has that others don’t is its ability to demonstrate courage. While the show is wildly entertaining, it’s also moving. These men don’t exactly have the most accepted careers within our male-dominated society. For most, doing drag is how they afford all that make-up. The fact that they are able to strut their stuff on national television makes them that much more daring. Whoever coined the phrase “real men wear pink” certainly underestimated the male race.