‘Masked Singer: Season 2’ Returns As Anthony Anderson Joins The Panel

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

The Masked Singer’s sophomore season is back! Following an intense World Series showdown where the Washington Nationals won their first championship, all 11 masked performers returned for the chance to join T-Pain in the Masked Singer’s winners’ club.  

By the end of the evening, two celebrities would join Ninja, Laila Ali, and Paul Shaffer in the elimination club. Also, Anthony Anderson joined Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong, and Jenny McCartney Wahlberg on the Masked Singer panel for the second half evening.

Which Masked Singer contestants delivered spectacular performances? Who was unmasked at the end of the evening? Read on to find out!

After Nick Cannon’s most elaborate unmasking this season and introducing the Masked Singer panel, it was time to get down to business. Up first, the Rottweiler took the stage. He revealed that he had a musical theatre background and had the names: “Kale” and “Carolina” on his rival’s kennels Tonight, he sang OneRepublic’s “Love Runs Out” and immediately I went to Chris Daughtry! His vocals remind me so much of the “It’s Not Over” singer and American Idol alum. While the panel praised him, they guessed Brian Luttrell, Kevin Jonas, and Train’s Pat Monahan.

Before the next performance, season one alum Joey Fatone said: “Hello” to the panel. As Joey exited the stage, the Ladybug revealed that she won an award for “Best Host” and overcame a difficult past.  She tackled Lizzo’s “Juice.” Jenny commented that the Ladybug was more confident with her performance. The SiriusXM host proclaimed her: “the Lady Gaga of ladybugs.” The panel guessed that it was either Lindsey Lohan (which pissed off the Ladybug), Paris Jackson, and Ashlee Simpson.

The Tree returned to the Masked Singer stage for a return performance. She played the piano and there was a photo of the White House in her pre-performance package. The Tree sang Aretha Franklin’s “Think” and I believe that the Tree is Saturday Night Live alum, Ana Gasteyer. The panel thought of Amy Sedaris, Zooey Deschanel, Rachael Ray, or Padma Lakshmi.

Next, the Penguin returned. The performer was almost eliminated the last time but is now singing for another day. The Penguin sang Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass.” I immediately thought of former View host Sherri Shepherd as the pre-performance package stated that she had an ax to grind against bullies, exes, and a comedy club owner. Jenny still thought it was her former colleague. The panel also thought it was Nicole Byers, Mindy Kaling, and Star Jones.

The Flower is the Masked Singer’s early contender to win this season. She revealed that she never had a singing lesson in her entire life. I honestly was moved when she sang Sia’s “Cheap Thrills” (and I believe it is Patti LaBelle under the mask). Ken still considers that the Flower Mask is Bjork, Shirley Bassey, Patti LaBelle, and Anita Baker.

The Fox was the final mask to perform during round one. He sang Panic! At the Disco’s “Hey Look Ma, I Made It.” He delivered an incredible performance that featured an amazing dance number. I thought it was Wayne Brady under the mask. The panel guessed Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo, and the Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean.

At the end of the first hour, the Masked Singer panel and audience voted. We had to say goodbye to The Penguin. For the panels’ final guesses, they guessed Nicole Byers, Wanda Sykes, Mindy Kaling, and Star Jones. Jenny should have kept her original guess because it was her former View co-host, Sherri Shepherd.

As Sherri left the stage, Black-ish star Anthony Anderson joined the panel. The Black Widow revealed that she was a hot homemaker and sang Cher’s “Believe.” She gave me chills and I immediately went to Naya Rivera or Raven-Symone. Ken joked about her crouch game and praised her ability to be versatile on the show.  The panel guessed Drew Barrymore, Raven, and Miranda Lambert. For this round’s clue, each performer was asked to bring out a clue from their home. She picked out whipped cream and crackers.

The Thingamajig could challenge the Flower to win The Masked Singer’s sophomore season. However, I do not know who is behind the mask. Tonight, the performer sang The Temptations’ “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” As soon as he sang, Nicole wept, and Robin Thicke screamed: “Who is this?” He is turning into this season’s top performers. Nicole loved his tone, and Jenny loved his showmanship. The panel guessed Montell Jordan, Tony Parker, and Dennis Rodman. His clue was an American Sign Language dictionary.

Before the Butterfly performed on The Masked Singer stage, she revealed that she hated lying to her mom. The Butterfly revealed that she won a BRIT award and had a church background. She performed Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why” and for the first time, I heard Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams’ tone, plus those high notes were fantastic! Anthony Anderson called her performance: “soulful and honest.” The panel guessed Michelle Williams and Leona Lewis. The Butterfly’s revealing item was a forensic kit.

The Leopard Mask revealed that the Masked Singer had rekindled his love of performing. While the set looked like The Lion King, the Leopard sang Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” and I still believe that the performer is Seal! His tone was so recognizable, and I think that he should release a cover album containing all of the songs that he performed on the show. The panel felt the Leopard Mask was Bobby Brown, Billy Porter, or Tyler Perry. The Leopard’s physical clues were old fashioned cameras.

The Flamingo was the final performer of the evening. In her pre-performance package, she revealed that she danced, sung, and acted to the top. She sang Loren Allred’s “Never Enough” for her chance to stay on the show. I got chills from the performance, and it was one of the best performances of the night. The panel guessed either Fantasia, Adrienne Bailon, or P!nk. Her physical clue was the NCAAP Award. Before the voting, Ken, Jenny, and Robin thought that this episode was one of their musically best. Once everyone voted, it was time to say goodbye to the Black Widow. The panel’s final guesses were Raven-Symone, Drew Barrymore, Miranda Lambert, and Amber Riley. Both Robin and Nicole were right, it was indeed Raven-Symone!