Adweek Adweek Logo
Convergent Tv Connected TV Hot List Lost Remote Programming & Performance Streaming & OTT TVNewser TVSpy TV Upfronts
Convergent Tv
Convergent Tv Connected TV Hot List Lost Remote Programming & Performance Streaming & OTT TVNewser TVSpy TV Upfronts

The L.A. Issue

How the Producers Behind RuPaul's Drag Race Went From Extreme to Mainstream

World of Wonder is ready to cash in

Headshot of T.L. Stanley
By T.L. Stanley

November 15, 2015

Convergent TV Summit returns March 21-22. Hear timely insights from TV industry experts virtually or in person in NYC. Register now to secure your early bird pass.


Prolific television producers Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey never considered their programming to be underground—so fringe that only the cool kids would like it—when they launched a talk show starring the statuesque drag queen RuPaul and a docu-series about transgender college students nearly 20 years ago.

“We always thought our subjects were ready for prime time,” Barbato said recently from his industrial-chic Hollywood office. “Not that many people agreed with us. They thought we were delusional.”

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

To Read the Full Story Become an Adweek+ Subscriber

View Subscription Options

Already a member? Sign in

Headshot of T.L. Stanley

T.L. Stanley

  • @TLStanleyLA
  • terry.stanley@adweek.com

T.L. Stanley is a senior editor at Adweek, where she specializes in consumer trends, cannabis marketing, plant-based food products, pop culture and creativity.

Recommended articles
Popular Now
  1. Sara Eisen Joins Squawk on the Street, Brian Sullivan Gets Shep Smith’s Former Timeslot
  2. French child-porn PSA unmasks tormenters
  3. These Are the Top-Rated Cable News Shows of 2022
  4. Heinz Puts Super Bowl’s Use of Roman Numerals on Trial
  5. TVNewser 3.0
Upcoming Webinars
  • Build Best-in-Class Brand Partnerships Tuesday, January 31, 2023
  • Tell a More Engaging Brand Story Tuesday, February 7, 2023
  • Anatomy of an Entertainment Hit in 2023 Wednesday, February 8, 2023
  • Make Your Brand Experiences Measurable and Memorable Tuesday, February 14, 2023
  • Maximize Your Content Marketing ROI Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Adweek Logo

Adweek is the leading source of news and insight serving the brand marketing ecosystem.

About

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Media Kit
  • Editorial Cal
  • Sponsor Content
  • Jobs at Adweek

Subscriptions

  • Subscription Options
  • Digital App
  • FAQs
  • Newsletters
  • Customer Service

Events

  • Awards
  • Adweek Events
  • Webinars
  • On-Demand Webinars
  • Trophies / Awards / Seals

Publications

  • Adweek Blog Network
  • Adweek Podcast Network
  • RSS
  • Back Issues
  • Reprints / E-Prints
©2023 Adweek - All Rights Reserved.
  • Do not sell my personal information
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
Clickable icon to open social sharing icons
Clickable icon to share the page on Facebook Clickable icon to share the page on Twitter Clickable icon to share the page on LinkedIn Clickable icon to share the page on Facebook Messenger Clickable icon to share via Email Clickable icon to share via Email
Clickable icon to share via Email