Sherry Vine: Variety Is the Spice of Life

With 30 years under her girdle, international appearances, and viral video hits, Sherry Vine has earned the title of Drag Legend. From the early days in the East Village with Mario Diaz and Jackie Beat to a web series with Bianca Del Rio, Peppermint, and Lady Bunny, she has seen it all and she has worked with them all and she’s coming out of COVID with a bang.

Sherry Vine has infiltrated your screens with The Sherry Vine Variety Show, an homage to the glitzy variety shows of the 1970s hosted by Cher, Carol Burnett, and the like, complete with comedy sketches, musical numbers, and that signature Sherry Vine comedy. Packed in this weekly, half-hour show are iconic special guests (Alec Mapa, Candis Cayne, Mario Diaz, Nadya Ginsburg) and some of the world’s top drag superstars including Alaska Thunderfuck, Bob The Drag Queen, Bianca Del Rio, Jackie Beat, Monet X Change, Peppermint, Tammie Brown, Varla Jean Merman and more! It’s a who’s who mashup of LGBTQ comedy scene veterans and relative newbies.

We know it’s easy to be a catty Queen with obvious one-liners and bitchy eye rolls. Sherry brings back a style of comedy that is often missing from our current scene – smart comedy. Camp, in our present time, has unfortunately fallen into the same category as kitsch. But camp in its gay heyday, the 60s and 70s, wasn’t cheap and vapid, it had an exaggerated style that assumed the audience had intelligence. Camp didn’t tell you what was funny, it just was funny. The Sherry Vine Variety Show is a welcome breath of retro air and raises the bar when it comes to Queens, camp, and comedy. You don’t remain in the spotlight for 30 years from being a funny meme, you’ve got to have the chops.

How did you pick the 70’s style theme for your variety show?  Were you raised on the originals; I mean repeats of the originals? 

[Laughs] I am actually old enough to remember the originals. I was a baby! But I grew up watching Carol Burnett, Sonny & Cher, Donny & Marie, I was obsessed! So, I always wanted to do a variety show. It has literally been a lifelong dream.

The first time you were in drag was for the one-act play Sorry, Wrong Number. What was it like stepping on stage for the first time in drag?

I was terrified! But at the same time, I felt like the wig and make-up was armor and I was ready for battle. It was so freeing. I still think that first show, 30 years ago, was one of my best.

Which guest was the biggest diva?

[Laughs] I only worked with my dear friends on this season. They were all working for less than normal. Everyone was wonderful and fun.

Which co-star is the biggest diva?

Jackie Beat – I’m kidding!

All jokes aside, there are some big personalities on the show. What are the most important factors in working together with other entertainment people?

I always want to work with my friends and I’m lucky to have super talented friends who also want to work with me. The only drama on set was when we could not stop laughing. It was non-stop pure joy.

What makes a successful parody? 

There is no rhyme or reason! [Laughs] I’ve written parodies that I thought were hilarious and bombed and I’ve written parodies that I thought were awful which are big hits. I think the best ones are songs that everyone knows – classic hits.

What is one of your favorite moments from filming The Sherry Vine Variety Show?

It’s a tie between getting to cover Bianca in blood and pushing Candis Cayne in the pool.

Any funny behind-the-scenes filming story?

The pool was freezing! Like ice cold and we had to get in twice and Candis and I were shivering. There were scenes where Jackie and I were making it up as we went and laughing so hard. I mean, we had 7 days to shoot 6 episodes. They were very long days with a lot of running around, but I was in heaven.

What I love is the variety of queens you have, from current Drag Race girls to veterans in the biz. What can the new generation of queens learn from the veterans?

Everything! Lol – I am kidding, I think the younger queens who are real performers have respect for us dinosaurs and luckily want to work with us. Jackie, Varla, Coco, Bunny, and I have all been successful for over 30 years. I think that is what most queens strive for.

What can the veterans learn from the newbies?

I personally have learned a lot from the newbies; how to post Instagram stories, how to find sexy “straight” men on Grindr, and where to shop on Santee Alley! Lol

You have been on the drag scene for quite a while. How has the world of drag changed the most?

The best thing is that drag has been legitimized as an art form. It has been monetized so now – TV, movies, etc., are open to casting queens. Drag has also been homogenized but it is up to us to keep it dangerous. Which is why I will always sing about poop and penis. [Laughs]

How has your drag changed the most?

I think I haven’t changed as much as I have refined my look and my act. After 30 years, I know what I can do and what I cannot do. I like to step outside of my box sometimes but not too far.

How is Sherry Vine the person most different from Sherry Vine the persona?

I honestly do not need to be in the spotlight when I’m not in drag. Or if it is about someone else, I’m fine in the background. But when it is my turn – look out!

You can follow Sherry Vine on IG: @MissSherryVine

The show is available exclusively on the OUTtv Apple TV Channel.

Check out the trailer HERE