Fun
Frisky
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Choked Up
Curious
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Weird
Alyssa Edwards is more than just the grand dame drag diva of the South. She’s more than just one of the most beloved queens to ever stomp the runway on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Don’t get it twisted–Alyssa Edwards is both of those things, but she is first and foremost a student and teacher of the art… of dance.
After serving up looks and catch phrases in two seasons of Drag Race, the new Netflix series Dancing Queen finally offers a behind-the-drag look at the life of Alyssa’s alter-ego, Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson, and his award-winning dance company Beyond Belief. The series shows off a new side of the fan favorite drag queen as Johnson pulls no punches while guiding an elite crew of Texas tots and teens to dance stardom.
That’s why when Alyssa stopped by the Decider office to chat about Dancing Queen, we wanted to put Alyssa’s dance-instructor mind to work. And who better to potentially throw a skilled instructor Alyssa for a loop than some of the goofiest sitcom characters of all time?! We selected five standout dance moments from TV history, ranging from The Urkel to The Routine, and got Alyssa Edwards’ take on these dancing sitcom phenoms.
Monica and Ross on 'Friends'
Friends Season 6, Episode 10, “The One with the Routine”: With Monica and Ross’ lifelong dream of dancing on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in jeopardy, they dust off their secret attention-grabbing weapon: The Routine.
Alyssa Edwards: Okay, I’m already in love with this. Friends, okay! It’s interactive, we got good partner work–okay the chemistry! And you got the little funky chicken goin’ on. Aw, I love this. This is fun, this is upbeat, they’re stealing the show. They’re actually their own show here at the club. Everybody else here is jealous because they want to be them. Okay, this is how you arrive to a club or an event or an affair with your homie, or for me, with your boyfriend. We’re always in our own little world because the chemistry, the partnering, the intense amount of fun these two are having is all things, a good night.
Stephanie on 'Full House'
Full House Season 5, Episode 8, “Gotta Dance”: Stephanie decides to go all-in on dancing, but she struggles to balance her life and her new commitment. Nevertheless, she closes out the episode by slaying it to “Motown Philly.”
Alyssa Edwards: Hey! Old school, kickin’ it back! Okay, I like this. They got this Janet Jackson-like rhythm–is this Full House?! I grew up watching this! Okay! I love it. I love it. Everybody’s smiling, they’re having a good time, they got their old-school jazz boot on and that Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation-esque shoulder pad and hat. I love it. Girl funky. Ain’t nothing like the good ‘ol Full House days. We got a funky dance with a Janet Jackson inspired jacket, hat, with the jazz boots and some funky moves and these girls are getting down.
Elaine on 'Seinfeld'
Seinfeld Season 8, Episode 4, “The Little Kicks”: George is shocked and a bit horrified when he learns something new about Elaine at a company party: she is a spectacularly bad dancer.
Alyssa Edwards: Oh, interpretive. She is in her own world, she is having a ball. She is the party and nobody’s invited. And she is confused why all y’all are not living for her. And these people are so cracked that she is ruining this wedding. This is a very uptight event. Oh, everybody is just chunked. Miss thing was havin’ her own kiki. Now talk about having your own kiki, or your own party and nobody’s invited. That’s me on my everyday, minute to minute, hour to hour basis. I love it.
Jack on 'Will & Grace'
Will & Grace Season 4, Episode 3, “Crouching Father, Hidden Husband”: Jack shows up at his son Elliot’s school dance and then proceeds to stun the middle school with an elaborate dance to NSYNC’s “Dirty Pop.”
Alyssa Edwards: Okay… Oh! Choreography! Precision! I love this so much! Not afraid to get out there, stand in the middle, take center stage… Oh! Little bit of NSYNC moves in there, little bit of Michael Jackson inspired. Okay. Come on Will and Grace! We got the push up like, bringing sexy back kinda step here. I like that. Now this was inspired by NSYNC with a mashup of Michael Jackson. Centerstage taking it Will and Grace, I loved it. Not afraid to jump in the middle of the circle and turn the party out!
Stream Will & Grace "Crouching Father, Hidden Husband" on Hulu
Urkel and Al on 'Step By Step'
Step By Step Season 1, Episode 2, “The Dance”: Steve Urkel literally crash lands on Step By Step just in time to teach Al and her classmates his signature dance, The Urkel.
Alyssa Edwards: Oh Steve Urkel, do the Urkel! I know this gig! Okay! He’s teaching them all The Urkel and I got my suspenders on too. We’re matching! I’m about to get up and do the Urkel! So he’s a leader. I like this. A teacher. This is me right here. Owning his awkwardness, and look–all the kids are now following. All eyes on him. This takes the cake for me today. God bless the world, thank you! We all need a little Steve Urkel in our life. Steve Urkel, thank you for owning your awkwardness. All eyes on you, leading the dance. I am totally inspired. I got my suspenders on today, and it’s gonna be a good day. God bless the world for having Steve Urkel.
