Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Season 12 Episode 4 of The Masked Singer.Calling all sports fans! A new group of celebrities has entered the arena as they compete to winThe Masked SingerSeason 12. With the theme of Sports Night, we are introduced to a host of colorful characters with clues that have us scratching our heads. To kick off the night’s festivities,Nikki GlaserandJoel McHale, Showbird, akaYvette Nicole Brown’s Masked Ambassador, are present to give color commentary. It’s a great day to play a guessing game andtheir banter was exceptional.Can we bring them in to host? No shade,Nick Cannon.
With the fighting spirit in the room, the celebrities enter the ring for a comedic little skit dressed as boxers. Meanwhile,Robin ThickeandRita Oralead the crowd in a raucous rendition of “Rock You Like a Hurricane” byThe Scorpionsto set the mood for the night. Both artists sound exceptional together. More duets, please! Thankfully,Ken JeongandJenny McCarthywere not given microphones. Butif you expect a lot of sports rock to fill the episode, you might be greatly disappointedsince they were playing fast and loose with the theme.
The Masked Ambassadors Are Back!
Kicking off the night is Wasp. With a swag in their step, Wasp brings the night’s hype to the stage. The Masked Ambassador twist is back. For Wasp, his Masked Ambassador is Season 10’s winner,Ne-Yo,aka Cow. For his clue package, Ne-Yo reveals that he has known them since they were on the scene and has used Ne-Yo’s words of wisdom. Wasp reveals he grew up in a tough neighborhood and should not have made it out. Having appeared on the biggest stages and screens in the world, Ne-Yo says that Wasp has charisma and swag that makes the ladies swarm. With images of a comic book saying, “Back in Action,” an image of Mars, and boxing gloves,the panel initially thinks that Wasp could be a boxer, but the swag and the voice make them think differently.
SingingJustin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body,” Wasp has immense ease on stage. He has an R&B undertone in his vocals that makes the panel believethis could be a seasoned performer. In honor of sports night, each masked singer has brought an athletic shoe that represents their life. For Wasp, it is a honeycomb-adorned pair of basketball sneakers. Interesting! Wasp’s exceptional performance leads to guesses, includingTaye Diggs, Bruno Mars, andJason Derulo. Are they onto something? While the guesses seem like a stretch, Wasp may have longevity this season.
When Goo got on stage, no one quite knew what they were seeing. Goo’s Masked Ambassador isKeenan Allen, formally known as Season 9’s Gargoyle. With a connection to Kennan Allen and an image of a tackle box, it makes sense that Goo could be a football player. And then, in his clue package, he says he was oozing with emotion as he was really sensitive, so he turned to music. There are interesting images of a train pulling disco balls and a French Horn. Could this all be a red herring?
For his performance, Goo sings “Lose Control” byTeddy Swims, and it’s sensational. There is such range and control that if this is an athlete, they have been sitting on a major secret! Goo’s shoe is a gold cleat, which Goo says to focus on the soul (or is it the sole?) So,is this a football player? Likely not. The panel will offer the guesses ofJon Batiste, Shaboozey, andKhalid. Ambitious guesses, but another competitor has entered the ring.
Is There a ‘Gossip Girl’ In the House?
Time to move across the board as Chess Piece makes her debut onThe Masked Singer. Her Masked Ambassador is one of the color commentators of the night, Nikki Glasser, aka Season 8’s Snowstorm. Her clue package reveals thatthis is Nikki’s most fashion-forward friend, who loves a fashion moment. With images of lips and a lockbox, Chess Piece shares that she felt like a pawn with no protection. She reveals that people doubted her their whole life, but they had to believe in themselves and make bold moves across the board. Chess Piece lets herself into the winner’s lounge where four previous winner’s costumes are standing. It’s revealed thata leading role changed the game. Nikki ends the segment by saying as much as she loves to gossip, her secret is safe with her. Could Chess Piece have ties toGossip Girl? Is that too literal? Or is that clue saved for someone else?
Chess Piece comes out with a unique rendition of “Believe” byCher. They sing in a very high falsetto with a loose vibrato, and the panel is on its feet after Chess Piece holds out the final note. Chess Piece loves singing and tells the panel that this is scary and vulnerable and she is taking a risk. Chess Piece, who is taller than Nick Cannon, reveals that their shoe is a green tennis shoe. Chess Piece then says in the first round of the match, it’s love serving love. The panel names everyone fromSerena WilliamstoRegina King, withAshley Grahamin between.
Bluebell, who is a bit touchy-feely with Nick Cannon, makes her debut with the help of her Masked Ambassador,Kelly Osbourne, Season 2’s Ladybug. Kelly reveals that she is there to dish some top-secret info on her fabulous friend on “Garden Gossip.” There is an image of “TMS Magazine” as she and Kelly have made headlines with tabloid fodder. Bluebell reveals that when her career was blossoming,the rumor mill went wild with allegations she was dating everyone from rockstars to billionaires and royalty.Showing images of a guitar with a phoenix and a pair of blue jeans, we learn that she is “kinda having a moment.”
She sings “We Belong” byPat Benatarwith conviction. It’s a unique tone you might relate to a trained singer, but her conviction on stage was lovely to watch. Bluebell’s shoes are not shoes at all but rollerblades! She says that when she tries to “roll” with a situation, she tries to “rock” it out. With Kelly Osbourne’s father being rock and roll legend Ozzy Osbourne,could Bluebell also be a rock star?The panel guessesTaylor Momsen, Ellie Goulding, andLeighton Meester.
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Jeong shares how he also plays the Homer Simpson version of himself on the Fox reality competition.
Can Dust Bunny Sweep the Competition?
Before the season began, we learned that clues might be on certain competitors' costumes. It was teased that Dust Bunny might be one, so it’s time to take a closer look at all the props on their costume. For their Masked Ambassador, it’s a national treasure, and Season 9’s Gnome,Dick Van Dyke. For his clue package, Dust Bunny is seen standing next to an “Earthquake Zone” sign as he says that singing has always been a secret ambition of theirs. He had a super important job when they entered the business: making coffee. He says he was a lighting stand-in, which led him to find out he had a face for television.One of the biggest clues is that some of his past costarsincludeAnne Hathaway,David Bowie,Marlon Brando, and his own Masked Ambassador. Who could this actor be?
Will Dust Bunny sweep the competition? Well, they certainly got the crowd singing along toNeil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” It was a hammy performance from someone who clearly has some comedic chops.They wanted to burn through the competition in a blaze of glory,which is why their shoes are a pair of ice skates. Going off of skates and the racing flag seen in the clue package, there were guesses ofWill FerrellandJohn C. Reilly. But we won’t have to wait long to see who is behind the mask because, sadly, the least-voted singer was Dust Bunny. With the final guesses of Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly,Jay Leno, andChevy Chase, itwas ultimately revealed that Dust Bunny is Andy Richter.The Richter scale was off the charts!
Group B is filled with strong contenders like the previous group, now we’ve narrowed down our list of singers. With no true weak link in the group, it’s clear thatevery elimination will be a difficult decision.But on the bright side, when someone is eliminated, a celebrity is revealed! Next week, the remaining four acts will take onBarbieNight! Let’s see who’s ready for a fantastic life in plastic!
The Masked Singerairs Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. on Fox. All episodes are available to stream on Hulu.
The Masked Singer
The fight is on as Group B has some exceptional performers.
