Legendary (and by “legendary” we merely mean “still alive”) drag queen, Jackie Beat has FINALLY landed  her own tv series with “Dr. Jackie: Unlicensed Psychotherapist.”The 6-part series will premiere on OUTtv September 19 with new episodes airing each week through October 24. Episode 1 will be free on OUTtv on The Roku Channel and on The Apple TV Channel in the US/Canada. 

After years of studying, failed actress Jackie Beat has finally become a psychotherapist. Okay, so maybe it really only took a few hours online, but she has a piece of paper saying she’s a “doctor” and now she’s ready to put her natural gift for helping people to use. Okay, so maybe she’s actually a self-centered bitch who is infamous for giving complete strangers the worst advice possible. Using role-playing, primal scream therapy, ink-blot tests and yes, even puppets, Dr. Jackie is helping her funny, famous and fabulous “friends” navigate the rocky road of mental health. Co-starring Sherry Vine as Jackie’s cute, but confused assistant. 

 “It’s such a great feeling to not only entertain people, but be able to help them, too. It’s a real win-win. I’m very proud of the fact that I am able to make mental health just a little more glamorous and fun!  And if anyone wants to cancel me for “mocking” pyschotherapy, please do it! I haven’t been on THAT reality television show so I need all the publicity I can get!” –  Jackie Beat

“Dr. Jackie: Unlicensed Psychotherapist”is packed with iconic special guests (Margaret Cho, Cassandra “Elvira” Peterson, John Cameron Mitchell, Alec Mapa & Jen Kober, Selene Luna, Mario Diaz, Nadya Ginsburg, Sam Pancake & Drew Droege) and some of the world’s top drag superstars including: Alaska Thunderfuck, Katya, Bianca Del Rio, Monét X Change, Sherry Vine, Tammie Brown & Kelly Mantle, Bendelacreme and Trixie Mattel! 

How do you identify and how would you describe Jackie Beat?

Well, my pronouns are PayPal and Venmo if that’s what you mean. All joking aside, sometimes I feel like a man, sometimes I feel like a woman, occasionally I feel like both but most of the time I feel like neither. Let’s be honest, most trappings of gender are surface-level and societal. Who cares whether someone is wearing pants or a skirt or a fierce 1980s jumpsuit. Okay, the moment someone wears a fierce 1980s jumpsuit is precisely when I actually start caring! And honey, everyone should have fun with makeup and wigs. Life is short… Have the courage to be camp! Just scroll through Instagram… Hell, even dogs like to dress up!

How did your career start in drag?

Back in the aforementioned 1980s, before drag was mainstream and on TV, a rite of passage for many Gay men was dressing in drag for Halloween and I was no exception. The only difference is the fact that I did it with an attention to detail that most of my friends did not. I quickly discovered that when I was in drag I could say and do just about anything. I guess you could say I found my voice – literally and figuratively. My name Jackie Beat was a nod to Jack Kerouac and the Beatniks – whom I had always thought were so cool, fearless and revolutionary.

What shall we expect from “Dr. Jackie: Unlicensed Psychotherapist”?

To be entertained and to laugh. That’s it. Remember when that was enough?

How did you come up with the idea of having your own TV series?

Doesn’t every writer/comedian want their own TV series? The real trick is talking someone into actually doing it! I’ve been doing drag for over 3 decades so I’ve had plenty of ideas, but I guess the planets aligned and – credit where credit is due – thanks to the popularity of shows like Drag Race – I guess the Universe could no longer say “no!”

What do you say to those who feel that your show could potentially “mock” psychotherapy?

I would say laughing at the difficult parts of life is precisely how we humans have survived as a species. And then I’d say, “So shut up!”

How does it feel to entertain people with your art? Is acting your first love?

From the first time I made someone laugh, I was hooked. And yes, I love acting, but I also love writing. But nothing will ever take the place of making a roomful of people laugh at a live show. And, just for the record, my first love is and always will be dogs!

The show’s cast includes some all-star names such as Alaska Thunderfuck, Katya, Bianca Del Rio, Monét X Change, Sherry Vine, Tammie Brown & Kelly Mantle, Bendelacreme and Trixie Mattel! How was working with these queens?

It was horrible. They are all unprofessional, egotistical bitches. Just kidding! I’m friends with all of them and working with them was amazing. Please don’t tell anyone, but it’s so much fun that I would do it for free.

Can you spill any tea regarding your collab with those girls?

Well, Bianca and I could barely get through our scene together because she was laughing so much. To be fair, she was probably drunk. After all, it was a good twenty minutes past noon. I was a little taken aback when Monét arrived out of drag and then proceeded to shamelessly flirt with me the entire time. We’re lovers now. And in the first episode when I slap Katya? That was real because she was annoying me so much.

Would you do Drag Race?

Of course! No one can deny the power of TV and specifically that show. I’ve heard talk of a Legends season, but they’ll never do it. And yes, that was what they call reverse psychology. Do it, Ru… I dare you!

What are the three biggest moments of your career?

Being in a movie with Robert DeNiro, writing for icons like Joan Rivers and Elvira, and doing this interview! I mean, pinch me!

What are your future plans?

I guess that all depends on whether Dr. Jackie is a hit or not I guess. If it’s a hit I can stop doing drag brunch. Just kidding… I’ll never stop doing drag brunch. I love the free bacon too much! Seriously, Sherry Vine and I are getting ready to shoot season 2 of her hit variety show on OUTtv and I appear in the Huluween Dragstravaganza – which I also co-wrote – streaming on Hulu beginning October 1. Fuck, now I want bacon.

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