By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
FOX’s undercover celebrity talent competition is back! However, there are new format changes that fans need to expect.
Entertainment Weekly reported that Season Eight would feature several changes. The Golden Ear Trophy and the First Impressions segments are gone. In addition, there will be several themed nights, such as Andrew Lloyd Webber Night, Comedy Roast night, Fright Night, and Muppet Night. Plus, there will be sudden eliminations and double unmaskings in each episode.
Tonight, who were the first performers to take The Masked Singer stage? Which three performers were eliminated from the Season Eight premiere night? Did any panelists (Ken Jeong, Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke & Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg) correctly deduce the eliminated singers’ identities? Read on to find out!
After an introduction from host Nick Cannon, he revealed the format change and introduced the Harp. Jenny loved her stage presence. Her clue package, she revealed that she auditioned for the biggest show in the world but then landed an opportunity of a lifetime, and she hugged a Man in Black wearing a scarecrow hat. When I heard the first notes from Harp’s cover of P!nk’s “Perfect,” I believed that I heard actress and singer Amber Riley’s voice, and she delivered a fabulous cover performance from start to finish. This was the season’s first perfect performance! Nicole praised Harp for her on-stage performance. Her first clue was an award she won for comedy with her “besties.” Robin guessed Queen Latifah, while Jenny added Fantasia. Unfortunately, Ken suggested Jennifer Hudson.
Hedgehog gave Masked Singer host Nick Cannon a huge hug when he made his appearance. He had a British accent and revealed that his group sold out the Hollywood Bowl and the Sydney Opera House. Plus, he made the late Queen Elizabeth laugh. With the help of a marching band, he sang The Beatles’ “Love Me Do.” Nicole called the performance “electric,” while the Hedgehog revealed that he won a Tony and a Grammy award. Ken guessed Ringo Starr before changing it to Sir Elton John. Meanwhile, Robin thought it was Eric Idle, and Nicole added Bill Nighy.
The Hummingbird flapped his wings onto the Masked Singer stage. Their clue package included footballs, Shaquille O’Neal, and being part of a family dynasty. He sang Gavin DeGraw’s “I Don’t Wanna Be.” They have an okay voice, but I am stuck on the Hummingbird’s identity. Robin liked that the Hummingbird hit all the right notes, and Hummingbird has numerous awards. Ken suggested Tom Brady, while Jenny went down the singer’s path with Rob Thomas and Uncle Kracker.
The Knight was the final singer of the night! His pre-performance clue package included a Shakespeare statue, the solar system, a police badge, and a cover album. He sang “Puttin’ On the Ritz,” one of the worst performances in show history. He revealed that he loved all of his awards. The panel suggested an array of people that ranged from David Hasselhoff, Weird Al, and William Shatner.
After all four performances, the judges and studio audience members voted for their favorite singer. Once all the votes were tallied, Nick revealed that the Knight was the first performer to be unmasked. The panel’s final guesses were David Hasselhoff (Ken Jeong), William Shatner (Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg), John Lithgow (Nicole Scherzinger), and Weird Al (Robin Thicke). Jenny was right….TV Legend William Shatner was the Knight!!! Next was the Hedgehog!
As the Hedgehog waddled out to the stage, the panel made their final guesses: Bill Nighy (Nicole Scherzinger), Sir Elton John (Ken Jeong), Eric Idle (Robin Thicke), and John Cleese (Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg). Robin was right….Entertainment Legend Eric Idle was the Hedgehog!!! After singing “Always Look On the Bright Side of Life,” Lego Masters host Will Arnett made a cameo appearance before the crucial unmasking.
The first Masked Singer: Season Eight Queen was the HARP! Which left the Hummingbird to be unmasked…
