By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The Masked Singer: Season Nine left the dangerous and dreary Gotham City and arrived at its complete anthesis: 123 Sesame Street.
FOX’s undercover celebrity competition arrived at the home of Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby. Tonight, two new performers – the Fairy and Jackalope – entered the ring hoping to take the Squirrel’s crown and sash. Were they successful? Did the panelists (Ken Jeong, Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, and guest star Farmer Wants a Wife host Jennifer Nettles) correctly deduce the eliminated performers’ identities? Read on to find out!
Elmo, Big Bird, Count von Count, Grover, Abby, Oscar the Grouch, and Cookie Monster performed with the panel. After Nick Cannon introduced the country music superstar to the show, reigning champion Squirrel took to the Masked Singer stage. Her pre-performance package contained Swedish Meatballs, a gorilla, a castle, and a wedding dress. She sang “Just the Two of Us” in honor of her kid’s favorite Muppet: Count von Count. I thought it was an okay vocal. Jenny loved her confident tone while Robin said: “You go, Squirrel.” Damir and his big brother, football star Damar Hamlin, brought out a football with Ken’s face on it. He worked with Squirrel before (more than once). Ken guessed Katherine Heigl (his first co-star), but Nicole thought it was Kate Hudson. Jenny zeroed into Malin Ackerman, while Jennifer Nettles thought it was Anne Hathaway.
While Ken Jeong stole the Elmo’s World theme song from everyone’s favorite furry Muppet, the Fairy made her Masked Singer debut. Her pre-performance package featured a feather duster, a police badge, a basketball, and a Christmas tree. She also called Oscar the Grouch, an old friend, and as she sang “You’re No Good,” my mind immediately raced to Holly Robinson Peete. Holly’s father was the original Gordon, and Oscar called her “too good.” Cookie Monster used a clue that stated, “Endless Love.” Jenny guessed Tracee Ellis Ross, while Ken suggested Angelina Jolie. Meanwhile, Robin thought of Quincy Jones’ daughter, Rashida.
The Jackalope strutted to the Masked Singer stage. Her pre-performance package featured a theatre, a TikTok app, a “G” heart necklace, and a Ghostface mask. She sang Shakira’s “Whenever, Wherever” as Elmo was on the globe. Elmo praised the performance, and Nicole called it: “Electrifying.” The Jackalope also revealed that she partied with Nicole, and the Count held a bat that said: “30 under 30.” Nicole guessed Lele Pons, while Jennifer Nettles thought it was Camila Cabello. Jenny ended the round with Jenna Ortega.
Once Count von Count certified the votes, the Squrriel would leave the show tonight! Robin guessed Heather Graham, while Ken stood by his guess of Katherine Heigl. Meanwhile, Nicole thought Squirrel was Kate Hudson. Jennifer Nettles added Anne Hathaway, but Jenny ended the round with Malin Ackerman. JENNY WAS RIGHT…MALIN ACKERMAN WAS THE SQUIRREL!!
Malin Ackerman, Damar Hamiln, and Cookie Monster joined Jenny as she introduced the Sesame Street Battle Royale. They sang Imagine Dragons’ “On Top of the World.” I got chills from Jackalope’s interpretation while the Fairy inserted soul music into her cover. It was a toss up and I wished the panel did not use the bell from last week, because either way the season lost a fabulous singer.
Nick declared that the Fairy won Sesame Street Night! Jenny doubled down with Jenna Ortega, while Ken suggested Selena Gomez. Both Robin and Nicole added Lele Pons, while Jennifer suggested Camila Cabello. Nicole and Robin were correct, LELE PONS WAS JACKALOPE!
Next week, The Masked Singer holds Country Night!
