Tonight, season 6 of the wacky singing competition, The Masked Singer kicks off the semifinals with Group A
FOUR celebrity masks will perform tonight, including Bull, Skunk, Pepper, and Jester. However TWO WILL LEAVE THE COMPETITION.
After the contestants are presented, with clues, they will perform a song. Then, it’s up to the audience and judges to guess who is behind the mask.
Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke sit on the panel. Nick Cannon hosts. Producer, songwriter and Alter Ego judge will.i.am serves as guest host.
WHAT THE HECK IS NICK WEARING. Previews indicate that Ken hits the ‘Take it Off Buzzer” tonight. And he’ll be WRONG WRONG WRONG.
Bull
Clues: Bull kills all the boy band guesses by revealing that he’s used to performing solo. Also, he insists that he’s very very nervous every time he takes the stage. He’s sure that he recognizes Skunk’s voice, and that she’s an artist he admired growing up. He probably knows exactly who it is.
Performance: Rain on Me by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande – I don’t think Bull has to worry. He’s been a lock for the final since he stepped on the stage. He can sing and dance. And he knows how to work a stage and the camera. Bull might win it all. His song pick really shows off his voice. He hits a massively big note at the end. Many females can’t sing that high. The judges clue this week will reveal a word that links the celebrity to one of the judges. Nick delivers it using the “bling shot.” Awkward! The clue “ring” is for Will. “We have more in common than you think.” Ken guesses Billy Porter. Nicole guesses a bunch of singer/dancer types. She knows who it is, she’s just dancing around the answer at this point.
Prediction: Bull is most assuredly Todrick Hall, former American Idol contestant. He and Nicole are pals.
Pepper
Clues: Pepper joined the competition at the last minute. She loves bringing the “spice” to her story. She’s had a “good girl” thing for a long time. But tonight, she’ll bare her soul, about watching somebody she loves and cares for face the unthinkable.
Performance: Sign of the Times by Harry Styles – Pepper’s voice is very distinctive. She’s an interesting vocalist. She’s on the bubble tonight as far as moving on to the next round. So she needed a performance like this–emotional and vocally showy. Bling shot clue is for Ken. And the word is Train. “Not even Gravity can keep this train from you,” says Pepper.
Now, Ken is sure he knows who Pepper is and demands the “Take it Off Buzzer.” He believes Pepper is Sara Bareilles, who was a guest star on Ken’s old sitcom, Community. Sarah wrote a song called “Gravity.” He hits the button. WELP HE’S WRONG. But Nick begins taking off Peppers mask…before the commercial. After the break, Nick is basically PSYCH NEVERMIND. Then, Ken runs up on stage to unmask Pepper himself. Man, these bits ARE SO STAGED. Part of his punishment is washing/detailing Nick’s cars and losing a Golden Ear point.
Prediction: Pepper’s inimitable voice belongs to Natasha Bedingfield.
Jester
Clues: Jester is having a riot on the show. But it’s a completely different way of working for him. He thinks it’s hilarious that he came on at last minute, basically elbowing his way to the front. Ohhh. He mentions his wife, who he’s been with for 45 years. “Her health isn’t what it used to be, but I still love here.” I’m not crying, you’re crying.
Performance: A Man of Constant Sorrow – OK THIS IS STRAIGHT UP HILARIOUS. It’s very very bad, but also very very funny. He can’t stop himself from cracking up in the middle. He knows he’s getting eliminated this week. Why not have a LARF? Jester’s clue: He’s Robin’s neighbor. And the word is “cake.” Ken guesses Elon Musk. UHM NO. And then SIMON COWELL LOL NO KEN. I’m dying here. Robin guesses Flea from the Red Hot Chile peppers.
Prediction: Jester is John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols 100%. I had a feeling he’d dedicate his next performance to Nora, his wife and partner of 45 years, who is battling Alzheimer’s. He’s her main caretaker. I don’t know where Robin lives. But John and his wife live in Venice Beach. I can’t wait until Jester is unmasked and all the people attached to him being Jack Black lose their collective minds. Heh.
Skunk
Clues: Skunk feels Bull is her biggest competition. Some people say Etta would want her to portray her in a biopic. She’s proud that her kid will see her perform on the show.
Performance: At Last by Etta James – Skunk said she’s pulling out the big guns tonight. And she sure is. This is very good. Skunk hasn’t always picked the best song, but she nailed it here. I think she’ll move on to the final with Bull. The show is already setting up a rivalry between them. Skunk has a connection to Nicole. “You can say we have a love connection.” Nicole guesses Mary J. Blige, Robin guesses Faith Evans, one of his duet partners. Jenny guesses Jill Scott. Will is guessing Mary J. Blige, because of some Puffy connection. But I suspect he knows who it really is.
Prediction: Skunk is surely reality star and singer Faith Evans.
RESULTS
It’s time for the panel, audience and super fans across America vote. The first singer headed home tonight IS JESTER. Heh. First impression guesses: Ken’s 1st impression is Roger Daltrey. And he’s sticking with that. Nicole’s first guess was Sammy Hagar. Now she thinks it’s Gene Simmons. Robin guessed Alice Cooper. But now he thinks it’s Flea. Jenny’s first guess was Dee Snider, and she’s sticking with it. Will thinks it’s Joe Elliott from Def Leppard.
ALL THOSE GUESSES ARE WRONG. AND JESTER IS THE LEGENDARY PUNK ROCKER JOHN LYDON AKA JOHNNY ROTTEN!!!!!!! John talks a bit about his wife, and says that she’ll absolutely love his performance. Aw.
Time for UNMASKING TWO. And it’s PEPPER. Aw. She’s great. First impression guesses: Robin first guessed Carly Rae Jepsen. But now he thinks it’s Mandy Moore. Jenny first guessed Lana Del Rey. Now she thinks it’s Dido. Ken’s first impression was Kesha. Now he’s guessing Pink. Nicole first chose Natasha Bedingfield. SHE’S STICKING WITH IT. Smart. will.i.am guesses Sia.
And Pepper is Natasha Bedingfield! The Americans stay and the Brits are gone. Heh. In her clue package, Natasha was referring to her son who had brain surgery right before the pandemic. He’s perfect now, she assures everyone.
