By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The Masked Singer is back! FOX’s favorite celebrity singing competition kicked off its fifth season with a few changes. First, Season Four panelist Niecy Nash is temporarily stepping in for longtime host Nick Cannon as he recovers from COVID-19. Entertainment Tonight reported that the media personality would be back for Season Five’s second half.
Secondly, People reported that the show would introduce a new character, Cluedle-Doo. While this masked celebrity will not perform, they will present clues for the Masked Singer panel. Eventually, their identity will be revealed. Thirdly, the show will introduce wildcard performers who will compete to steal a spot in their competition (a la The Four: Battle For Stardom).
Which Masked Singer performer will join T-Pain, Wayne Brady, Kandi Burruss, and LeAnn Rimes in the Winners’ Circle? Which performer was unmasked? Did any of the panelists (Ken Jeong, Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke, and Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg) correctly deduce the eliminated performer’s identity? Read on to find out!
Once Niecy Nash made her grand entrance onto The Masked Singer stage, it was time to get down to business. The Russian Doll was the first performer to take the stage. In its pre-performance package, the Russian Doll revealed that it was “the hottest toy” and there was a “Garden State” highway sign in the package. They sang Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.” I am thinking two of the Jonas Brothers are under the mask. Jenny called “so creepy but so magical.” Once the panelists wrote their first impression guesses, Jenny guessed that it was Boyz II Men. Meanwhile, Nicole thought it was Glee’s Darren Criss, Matthew Morrison, and Kevin McHale.
The Snail crawled out to the stage. The Masked Singer featured the Eagle Mask and revealed that he could be a talk show host, a teddy bear, and “meatballs.” They performed “You Make My Dreams (Come True),” and I guessed either Billy Crystal or David Alan Grier. Once the panelists made their initial guesses, Robin thought it was either Jay Leno or Seth MacFarlane. Nicole assumed it was Jimmy Kimmel, Mark Wahlberg, or Adam Sandler.
Niecy surprised the panel with a present from Nick, who presented them with a “Jar of Shame.” The Seashell sashayed her way onto the Masked Singer stage. In her pre-performance package, the Seashell had a chameleon, a cowboy hat, and a witches’ broom. She also revealed that she has not sung in “a long time.” Her performance was Roxette’s “Listen to Your Heart,” and my mom and I thought that the Seashell could be Marie Osmond. I also thought it could be Jessica Simpson. Ken thought it was either Anne Hathaway, Sarah Jessica Parker, or Kristin Chenoweth. Nicole thought it was Hillary Duff (she is from Texas). Cluedle-Doo interrupted the program to reveal that we missed a “hot dog” in the sea clue in the Seashell’s package.
Cluedle-Doo pointed out that the Raccoon is known for being sharp! The latest Masked Singer hopeful revealed that he faced prison and read The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He promised God that he would only do good. He sang The Troggs’ “Wild Thing,” and I guessed either Ozzy Osbourne or Axl Rose. Nicole assumed it was either Gary Busey, Nick Nolte, or Sammy Hager. Ken thought it was Mike Tyson! However, Robin thought it was Joe Pesci or Danny DeVito.
The cyber-punk Robo-Pine was the final Group A performer of the evening. In his pre-performance package, he was forced to grow thick quills. He used 411 to make a connection and stated that his angel saved him. He sang a Luther Vandross track, and I think this was Ruben Studdard. Nicole was “captivated” by the performance. After the gang wrote down their first impression guesses, But once I heard “kids” and “grandkids,” my guess was thrown out! Nicole thought it was Jamie Foxx. Meanwhile, Ken thought of Lionel Richie.
Once the Masked Singer superfans and panel voted, Niecy revealed the Snail was the first performer to leave the season. After the panel made their final guesses, the Snail was unmasked and it turned out to be KERMIT THE FROG!? That revelation blew me away!
Next week, Group B enters the picture!
