The Masked Singer season 9 is coming up fast. The season will premiere on FOX on Feb 15 at 8 pm. Here is everything you need to know.
No cast or format changes: Celebrities will again be quickly eliminated
The cast will remain the same, according to Entertainment Weekly. Nick Cannon will return as host and feature panelists Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke and Jenny McCarthy.
For fans hoping producers would move away from the big twists introduced in season 8, namely the “Champion of The Masked Singer” format, well too bad! The season 9 format is the same, with an additional tiny twist or two.
Season 8 introduced a “Champions” format which eliminated TWO celebrities every week, and ended with a semi-final consisting of winners of each of three rounds, followed by a head-to-head finale. The format translates to many celebrities performing only once before they are unmasked, which is more like a parade of appearances rather than an actual competition. It doesn’t allow for much of a guessing game from fans.
Panelists can save ONE contestant per round
However, for the first time ever, panelists will have the opportunity to save a singer from elimination with the “Ding Dong Keep It On” Bell which can only be used once per group. So at least ONE celebrity won’t be immediately and unceremoniously booted before viewers get a chance to speculate on their identities.
New set design, bigger audience
The Masked Singer season 9 will also feature an updated stage design to incorporate a bigger audience, who will continue to vote for their favorite masked celebrity performer. Same as season 8, the singer with the least amount of votes will unmask mid-show, and the remaining two singers will face off in a Battle Royale performance, with the winner moving on to compete the following week, and the loser unmasking at the end of the show. The three finalists left standing will compete in the semi-finals. Two celebrities will go head to head in the finale.
Theme nights will return
Another season 8 twist sticking around is theme nights, which will be represented in the performers’ song choices, costumes, celebrity guests, set design, and may even provide clues to a masked singer’s identity. This season’s themes will include: “Abba Night,” “New York Night,” “DC Superhero Night,” “Sesame Street Night,” “’80s Night,” “Movie Night,” and “The Masked Singer in Space Night.”
The Feb 15 premiere will feature the following three costumes: Gnome, Mustang and Medusa.
