'RuPaul's Drag Race' Third Season Premiere Night Struts Onto Logo, Monday, January 24th

NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- "RuPaul's Drag Race" returns to Logo with a new season and super-sized premiere night event that's bound to leave enthusiasts breathless from all the glamour and drama. 12 queens' quest to be crowned "America's Next Drag Superstar" kicks off with the show's first-ever casting special at 8/7C followed by a 90-minute season opener at 9/8C (the series' regular timeslot).  A new season of "Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race" returns to the runway at 10:30/9:30C.  Mondays are a drag with "RuPaul's Drag Race" returning January 24th on Logo.

As in past seasons, the latest installment of "RuPaul's Drag Race" in chocked full of surprising celebrity judges.

Complete list of guest judges (in alphabetical order):

• Billy B.
• Wayne Brady
• Margaret Cho
• Eliza Dushku
• Carmen Electra
• Fantasia
• Gigi Levangie Grazer
• LaToya Jackson
• Debbie Matenopoulos
• Arden Myrin
• Sharon Osbourne
• Susan Powter
• Amber Rose
• Rita Rudner
• Sara Rue
• Mike Ruiz
• Chloë Sevigny
• Cheryl Tiegs
• Lily Tomlin
• Alessandra Torresani
• Aisha Tyler
• Bruce Vilanch
• Jody Watley
• Johnny Weir
• Vanessa Williams

The premiere night event also marks the return for the companion series, "Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race."  An instant fan favorite, "Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race" is an all-access pass to the drama that you didn't see on the runway including: the backstage catfights, conflict, tears and secrets.  One thing is for sure, the savvy ladies of season three came with one resounding goal – to win!  The ever-present cameras continue to roll backstage in the "Interior Illusions Lounge" as the ladies unwind – and come unhinged.  As the competition intensifies, some contestants devolve from "queen" to "mean."  Who will crack under the pressure of competing to become "America's Next Drag Superstar?"  RuPaul narrates as the trials and tribulations unfold in ten episodes of the new season.  A new episode of "Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race" airs each week following new episodes of "RuPaul's Drag Race."

Ever wonder how the queens are selected for "RuPaul's Drag Race?"  For the first time, RuPaul reveals the casting process with a one-hour casting special.  Viewers will see audition tapes (the good, the bad and yes, the ugly) and witness an open casting call that drew hundreds of drag hopefuls to the set for their chance to wow Santino and RuPaul.  Finally, take a peek at the winning submissions that landed 12 lucky queens a coveted spot on the most addictive reality show on television!  The casting special gets fans engines revving at 8/7C immediately prior to the "RuPaul's Drag Race" season premiere at 9/8C.

The following are the 12, season three "RuPaul's Drag Race" contestants who made the cut:

• Alexis Mateo (St Petersburg, FL)
• Carmen Carrera (Elmwood, NJ)
• Delta Work (Norwalk, CA)
• India Ferrah (Springfield, OH)
• Manila Luzon (New York City, NY)
• Mariah (Atlanta, GA)
• Mimi Imfurst (Astoria, NY)
• Phoenix (Atlanta, GA)
• Raja (West Hollywood, CA)
• Stacy Layne Matthews (Backswamp, NC)
• Venus D-Lite (Los Angeles, CA)
• Yara Sofia (Bayamon, PR)

In the end, only one contestant will have what it takes to win the coveted title of "America's Next Drag Superstar," and a prize package that includes a headlining spot on Logo's Drag Race Tour, featuring cocktails perfected by ABSOLUT®, a lifetime supply of Kryolan Professional Make-up and a cash prize of $75,000.

"RuPaul's Drag Race" and "Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race" are produced by World of Wonder Productions with Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, Chris McKim and RuPaul Charles serving as Executive Producers. Dave Mace and Pamela Post serve as Executive Producers for Logo.

Fans are invited to join in the competition and live chat at "LogoTalk!" during each new episode.  For more information on "RuPaul's Drag Race," go to LogoTV.com.

ABOUT LOGO

Logo is the world's leading ad-supported cable, satellite, online, mobile and digital entertainment network from MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B) for gays and lesbians, their families and friends. Launched in 2005, Logo's cable channel is in more than 46 million homes across the United States and is complemented by a federation of online properties, including LogoTV.com, TripOutGayTravel.com, AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com, 365Gay.com, DowneLink.com and NewNowNext.com. Logo's content is distributed across all leading download-to-own, streaming and mobile services. The most influential brand for the most influential audience, Logo provides a mix of original and acquired entertainment as well as news, social networking and community building that are authentic, smart, fun, entertaining, and inclusive. Logo joins MTV Networks' roster of popular and highly targeted brands which include MTV, Comedy Central, VH1 and Spike TV.

ABOUT WORLD OF WONDER

World of Wonder (WOW) was founded by Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey and has created a library of branded properties across all platforms, including such well known films as "Party Monster," "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," "Inside Deep Throat" and television shows "Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood," "Million Dollar Listing," "RuPaul's Drag Race," "Fantasia for Real," "The Fabulous Beekman Boys" and the entertainment blog The WOW Report (www.worldofwonder.net).

SOURCE Logo