The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 1 explained

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Host:Nick Cannon
Num Contestants:12
Winner:T-Pain as "Monster"
Runner Up:Donny Osmond as "Peacock"
Num Episodes:10
Network:Fox

The first season of the American television series The Masked Singer premiered on Fox on January 2, 2019, and concluded on February 27, 2019. The season was won by rapper T-Pain as "Monster", with singer Donny Osmond finishing second as "Peacock", and singer Gladys Knight placing third as "Bee".

Production

Casting was less difficult than executive producer Izzie Pick Ibarra predicted due to her strategy of sending the possible participants sketches of costumes that might be featured during the season. She said many of the celebrities had emotional reactions when presented with the proposed costumes and were excited to reinvent their public image.[1] Potential participants were also shown video of international versions of the show to explain the show's format visually.[2]

The costumes worn by the celebrity contestants were designed by Marina Toybina, a four-time Emmy Award winner.[3] Toybina described the Lion and Monster costumes as her favorites from the first season. The took the longest to inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia and Joan of Arc. It was unlike the other eleven costumes as the gemstone-laden mask was sculpted out of clay and coated in gold to give it an " aesthetic." The Monster, meanwhile, was designed around a 360° foam cylinder with built-in vents made of mesh to provide oxygen to the performer. However, during filming, the large eye the celebrity saw out of frequently fogged up due to a lack of air; tiny fans were then installed inside the costume to provide circulation.[4] [5] [6] Fans were also placed inside the full-body Pineapple costume, which was constructed to resemble a Hawaiian surfer on the beach in the summer.[7]

Other costumes, such as the Rabbit and Raven, were inspired by Hollywood movies.[8] Toybina says the majority of costumes turn out identical to her sketches.[8] The former was the result of combining the character Frank from the film Donnie Darko (2001) with Edward Scissorhands (1990) to create a darker, unexpected costume, while the latter was inspired by The Crow (1994).[7] Deer was heavily influenced by steampunk elements and made to resemble "a war soldier trapped in a wood"[8] and Peacock was made to look like an Elvis Presley "showstopper costume" inspired by the glitz of Las Vegas.[7] The small dogs in Beverly Hills inspired Toybina to make the pink Poodle have a Real Housewives diva-like presence with accompanying sunglasses,[8] [9] while her love of hip-hop music inspired her to add LL Cool J-style chains to the Hippo.[10] Unicorn, which was imagined as an ethereal white snow queen,[11] had its horn break off during the filming of an episode. Toybina says she had to "reach for the wire and glue" to fix it backstage.[12]

Filming occurred from June 4 to June 24, 2018.[13] For their work on the tenth and final episode of the season, Toybina and costume supervisor Grainne O'Sullivan received a Creative Arts Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Costumes for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Programming.[14]

Panelists and host

The panelists consisted of singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, television personality Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, actor and comedian Ken Jeong, and recording artist Nicole Scherzinger. Nick Cannon hosted the show.

Throughout the season, various guest panelists appeared as the fifth panelist in the judging panel for one or two episodes. These guest panelists included actor and comedian Joel McHale in the third and fourth episodes, actor and comedian J. B. Smoove in the seventh episode, and comedian Kenan Thompson in the eighth and tenth episodes.[15] [16] [17]

Contestants

The competitors were said to have a combined 65 Grammy nominations, 16 multi-Platinum albums, 16 Emmy nominations, nine Broadway shows, four Super Bowl titles, and four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[18]

Stage name[19] CelebrityOccupationEpisodes
1234567810
MonsterT-PainRapperRISKSAFESAFESAFESAFEbgcolor=gold WINNER
PeacockDonny OsmondSingerWINSAFESAFESAFESAFEbgcolor=silver RUNNER-UP
BeeGladys KnightSingerWINSAFESAFESAFESAFEbgcolor=tan THIRD
RabbitJoey FatoneSingerWINSAFESAFESAFEbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
LionRumer WillisActorWINSAFESAFESAFEbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
AlienLa Toya JacksonSingerbgcolor=#FFEBCD bgcolor=#F3F781 RISKbgcolor=#FFEBCD SAFESAFEbgcolor=#FFEBCD bgcolor=#F99185 OUT
RavenRicki LakeTalk show hostbgcolor=#FFEBCD bgcolor=#F888FD WINbgcolor=#FFEBCD bgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=#FFEBCD bgcolor=#F99185 OUT
UnicornTori SpellingActorbgcolor=#F888FD WINbgcolor=#FFEBCD bgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=#FFEBCD bgcolor=#F99185 OUT
PoodleMargaret ChoActor/comedianbgcolor=#FFEBCD bgcolor=#F3F781 RISKbgcolor=#FFEBCD bgcolor=#F99185 OUT
DeerTerry BradshawNFL Hall of Famerbgcolor=#F3F781 RISKbgcolor=#FFEBCD bgcolor=#F99185 OUT
PineappleTommy ChongActor/comedianbgcolor=#FFEBCD bgcolor=#F99185 OUT
HippoAntonio BrownNFL playerbgcolor=#F99185 OUT

Episodes

Week 1 (January 2)

+ Performances on the first episode[20] Stage name Song Identity Result
1Peacock"The Greatest Show" by Hugh Jackmanbgcolor=#F888FD WIN
2Hippo "My Prerogative" by Bobby BrownAntonio Brownbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
3Monster "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queenbgcolor=#F3F781 RISK
4Unicorn"Fight Song" by Rachel Plattenbgcolor=#F888FD WIN
5Deer "Thunder" by Imagine Dragonsbgcolor=#F3F781 RISK
6Lion "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody" by Fergie feat. Q-Tip, GoonRockbgcolor=#F888FD WIN

Week 2 (January 9)

+ Performances on the second episode[21] Stage name Song Identity Result
1Rabbit"Livin' la Vida Loca" by Ricky Martinbgcolor=#F888FD WIN
2Alien"Feel It Still" by Portugal. The Manbgcolor=#F3F781 RISK
3Raven"Rainbow" by Keshabgcolor=#F888FD WIN
4Pineapple "I Will Survive" by Gloria GaynorTommy Chongbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
5Poodle"Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatarbgcolor=#F3F781 RISK
6Bee"Chandelier" by Siabgcolor=#F888FD WIN

Week 3 (January 16)

+ Performances on the third episode[22] Stage name Song Identity Result
1Lion"Feeling Good" by Nina Simonebgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
2Deer "Get Your Shine On" by Florida Georgia LineTerry Bradshawbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
3Peacock"Counting Stars" by OneRepublicbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
4Unicorn"Oops!... I Did It Again" by Britney Spearsbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
5Monster"I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGrawbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE

Week 4 (January 23)

+ Performances on the fourth episode[23] Stage name Song Identity Result
1Rabbit"Wake Me Up" by Avicii ft. Aloe Blaccbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
2Alien"Lovefool" by The Cardigansbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
3Raven"Bad Romance" by Lady Gagabgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
4Poodle "Time After Time" by Cyndi LauperMargaret Chobgcolor=#F99185 OUT
5Bee"Locked Out of Heaven" by Bruno Marsbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE

Week 5 (January 30)

+ Performances on the fifth episode[24] Stage name Song Identity Result
1Rabbit"Poison" by Bell Biv DeVoebgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
2Unicorn "I Love It" by Icona Pop ft. Charli XCXTori Spellingbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
3Alien"Happy" by Pharrell Williamsbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
4Lion"California Dreamin'" by Siabgcolor=lightgreen SAFE

Week 6 (February 6)

+ Performances on the sixth episode[25] Stage name Song Identity Result
1Bee"Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrusbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
2Peacock"All of Me" by John Legendbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
3Raven "Brave" by Sara BareillesRicki Lakebgcolor=#F99185 OUT
4Monster"American Woman" by Lenny Kravitzbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE

Week 7 (February 13)

+ Performances on the seventh episode[26] Stage name Song Identity Result
1Monster"I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Joan Jett & the Blackheartsbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
2Lion"Diamond Heart" by Lady Gagabgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
3Alien"Ex's & Oh's" by Elle KingLa Toya Jacksonbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
4Bee"What's Love Got to Do with It" by Tina Turnerbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
5Rabbit"Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonderbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
6Peacock"Can't Feel My Face" by The Weekndbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE

Week 8 (February 20)

+ Performances on the eighth episode[27] Stage name Song Identity Result
1Peacock"Let's Go" by Calvin Harris ft. Ne-Yobgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
2Monster"Stay With Me" by Sam Smithbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
3Lion "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" by Stevie WonderRumer Willisbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
4Rabbit "My Girl" by The TemptationsJoey Fatonebgcolor=#F99185 OUT
5Bee"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklinbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE

Week 9 (February 27) – Finale

Performances on the final episode[28] !#!Stage name!Song!Identity!Result
1Peacock "Shake a Tail Feather" by Ray CharlesDonny Osmondbgcolor=silver RUNNER-UP
2Bee "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie RaittGladys Knightbgcolor=tan THIRD PLACE
3Monster "This Is How We Do It" by Montell JordanT-Painbgcolor=gold WINNER

Reception

Critical response

The premiere episode received mixed reviews. Vulture felt that the series was more entertaining, yet "weirder, sillier, and stupider" than other U.S. music competition programs, and described the format as having the "vibe" of "what if [Philadelphia Flyers mascot] Gritty walked out on a soundstage made to look like an arena concert, belted out Sam Smith's 'Stay With Me,' was described as 'a professional' by Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, took off his head to reveal he was Joey Fatone, and the entire experience felt three clicks away from an episode of Black Mirror?"[29] The panelists were considered to be "weak" and "[approaching] their jobs with all the insight and acumen of an America's Next Top Model contestant trying to decipher the Tyra Mail", and that the performances were "underwhelming" (using Ryan Reynolds' surprise appearance on the Korean version singing "Tomorrow" in a "low-rent" unicorn mask as a benchmark) due to the contestants not always being singers. However, the format was deemed to have depth for being "a pretty fascinating examination of celebrity culture, mass appeal, performance, image, and fame."

Emily Yahr of The Washington Post described the premiere episode as "one of the craziest reality shows of our time", acknowledging other similar reactions to the series.[30]

Ratings

The show's premiere was the highest rated unscripted television series debut since The X Factor in 2011. Following three days of DVR viewing, the first episode's 18–49 rating grew by 30percent—the highest increase ever for a premiere in the show's genre.[31] Although initially dropping, ratings grew towards the end of the season, and the finale became the most watched episode.[32] According to Comscore, the show had one of the highest viewer engagement levels of any series during the week the finale aired.[33] It concluded the 2018–19 television season as the highest rated new series among adults 18–49, averaging a 2.6rating throughout all ten episodes,[34] and as the highest rated entertainment series among teenagers, men 18–34, adults 18–34, and adults 18–49.[35] The show was the first unscripted series to rank number one in the genre in its first season since Joe Millionaire in 2003,[36] and was one of the reasons why Fox was the only network to gain viewers compared to the previous television season.[37]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Secrets of The Masked Singer: Everything We've Learned About TV's Most Mysterious Show . Piester . Lauren . . February 27, 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190703044452/https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1019279/the-secrets-of-the-masked-singer-everything-we-ve-learned-about-tv-s-most-mysterious-show . July 3, 2019.
  2. Web site: The Masked Singer is one of TV's oddest shows. Here's how it was made. . VanDerWerff . Emily Todd . . February 27, 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190402114050/https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/2/27/18241269/masked-singer-interview-finale-recap-preview . April 2, 2019.
  3. News: Those Wild Masked Singer Costumes? She Designed Them. Zarum. Lara. The New York Times. January 17, 2019. January 21, 2019. en-US. 0362-4331.
  4. Web site: Piester. Lauren. The Secrets of The Masked Singer: Everything We've Learned About TV's Most Mysterious Show . February 27, 2019. April 5, 2020. E!. https://web.archive.org/web/20190703044452/https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1019279/the-secrets-of-the-masked-singer-everything-we-ve-learned-about-tv-s-most-mysterious-show. July 3, 2019. live.
  5. Web site: Spellings. Sarah. How Heavy Were Those The Masked Singer Masks, Anyway?. The Cut. April 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200328233201/https://www.thecut.com/2019/03/interview-the-masked-singer-costume-designer-marina-toybina.html. March 28, 2020. March 1, 2019. live.
  6. Web site: Murphy. Desiree. The Masked Singer Designer Marina Toybina Shares Costume Secrets and Original Sketches (Exclusive). Entertainment Tonight. April 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200316045004/https://www.etonline.com/the-masked-singer-designer-marina-toybina-shares-costume-secrets-and-original-sketches-exclusive. March 16, 2020. January 18, 2019. live.
  7. Web site: Grobar. Matt. How 'The Masked Singer' Costume Designer Marina Toybina Crafted 12 Full-Body Art Pieces In Under Two Months. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. September 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190913182757/https://deadline.com/2019/08/the-masked-singer-costume-designer-marina-toybina-emmys-fox-interview-1202660891/. September 13, 2019. August 13, 2019. live.
  8. Bradley. Laura. January 23, 2019. How The Masked Singer Dreamed Up Those Delightfully Delirious Costumes. live. Vanity Fair. Condé Nast. https://web.archive.org/web/20190915040813/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/01/the-masked-singer-costumes-designer-marina-toybina. September 15, 2019. September 15, 2019.
  9. Gillespie. Katherine. January 29, 2019. 'The Masked Singer' Costume Designer Has the Best Job in TV. live. Paper. https://web.archive.org/web/20190201002737/https://www.papermag.com/the-masked-singer-costumes-2627291072.html. February 1, 2019. September 15, 2019.
  10. Web site: Friedlander. Whitney. Meet the Masked Singer Costume Designer Behind Those Elaborate Looks. Variety. March 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191222072254/https://variety.com/2019/artisans/production/masked-singer-costume-designer-1203103034/. December 22, 2019. January 10, 2019. live.
  11. Web site: Frank. Priscilla. The Maniacal Costume Designer Behind 'The Masked Singer' Speaks. live. HuffPost. Verizon Media. September 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190915172544/https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/costume-designer-masked-singer-marina-toybina_n_5c4f3992e4b0f43e41099257. September 15, 2019. January 29, 2019.
  12. Web site: Villareal. Yvonne. The Masked Singer costume designer takes us inside TV's most colorful closet. Los Angeles Times. September 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20200328233157/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-masked-singer-fox-costumes-marina-toybina-20190206-story.html. March 28, 2020. February 6, 2019. live.
  13. Web site: Show Dates . On Camera Audiences . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200421235253/https://on-camera-audiences.com/shows/The_Masked_Singer/tapings/20180601 . April 21, 2020.
  14. Web site: Outstanding Costumes for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Programming Nominees/Winners 2019. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. April 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205042123/https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2019/outstanding-costumes-for-a-variety-program-or-a-special. December 5, 2019. live.
  15. Web site: (MS-107) "All Together Now". The Futon Critic. January 28, 2019.
  16. Web site: Singing Competition The Masked Singer Premieres Wednesday evening on Fox. MyNewsLA.com. January 2, 2019. January 28, 2019. en-US.
  17. Web site: (MS-109/10) "Road to the Finals / Season Finale: The Final Mask is Lifted". The Futon Critic. February 15, 2019.
  18. Web site: Fox's The Masked Singer Looks Like The Weirdest Singing Competition Yet. Jones. Adrienne. CINEMABLEND. November 12, 2018. January 3, 2019.
  19. Web site: Official Trailer - The Masked Singer. August 2, 2018. YouTube. September 28, 2018.
  20. News: The Masked Singer recap: Welcome to the weirdest and most wonderful show on television. Lawler. Kelly. January 2, 2019. USA Today. May 14, 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190117085200/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/01/02/masked-singer-premiere-recap-nick-cannon-robin-thicke-ken-jeong-jenny-mccarthy-nicole-scherzinger/2449075002/. January 17, 2019. Gannett.
  21. News: The Masked Singer: Who got eliminated (and revealed) in Episode 2?. Lawler. Kelly. January 9, 2019. USA Today. May 14, 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190118061321/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/01/09/masked-singer-recap-pineapple-bee-and-more-face-off/2516505002/. January 18, 2019. Gannett.
  22. News: The Masked Singer recap: Who was eliminated (and unmasked) in Episode 3?. Henderson. Cydney. January 16, 2019. USA Today. May 14, 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190117092632/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/01/16/the-masked-singer-who-eliminated-and-unmasked-episode-3/2599132002/. January 17, 2019. Gannett.
  23. News: Masked Singer recap: This (unmasked) celeb seriously confused the judges with her clues. Henderson. Cydney. January 23, 2019. USA Today. May 14, 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190125093402/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/01/23/the-masked-singer-recap-unmasked-celebrity-confused-judges/2663370002/. January 25, 2019. Gannett.
  24. News: Masked Singer recap: Who was unmasked this week?. Haas. Susan. January 30, 2019. USA Today. May 14, 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190208060825/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/01/30/masked-singer-recap-who-unmasked-week-leaving-only-4/2728125002//. February 8, 2019. Gannett.
  25. News: 'The Masked Singer' recap: Who was unmasked this week?. Lawler. Kelly. February 6, 2019. USA Today. May 14, 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190208040503/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/02/07/masked-singer-recap-what-celebrity-unmasked-week/2796445002/. February 8, 2019. Gannett.
  26. News: The Masked Singer recap: Who was unmasked this week?. Henderson. Cydney. February 13, 2019. USA Today. May 14, 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190215123026/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/02/13/the-masked-singer-recap-you-never-guess-who-alien/2866006002/. February 15, 2019. Gannett.
  27. News: The Masked Singer recap: Two celebrities are revealed in the semifinals. Henderson. Cydney. February 20, 2019. USA Today. May 14, 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190324085849/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/02/20/the-masked-singer-recap-2-celebrities-revealed-semifinals/2934110002/. March 24, 2019. Gannett.
  28. News: The Masked Singer recap: The winner is finally revealed and the judges got it all wrong. Henderson. Cydney. February 27, 2019. USA Today. May 14, 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190228150743/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/02/27/the-masked-singer-recap-winner-finally-revealed/3010836002/. February 28, 2019. Gannett.
  29. Web site: The Masked Singer Is a Reality-TV Fever Dream. Vulture. January 2, 2019 . January 3, 2019.
  30. News: Yes, that was real life: The Masked Singer premiered and was even weirder than you imagined. Yahr. Emily. January 3, 2019. The Washington Post. January 3, 2019.
  31. Web site: The Masked Singer Scores Biggest Live+3 Lift Ever for Unscripted Series . Holloway . Daniel . . January 25, 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200125164644/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/masked-singer-ratings-1203101918/ . January 25, 2020.
  32. Web site: How Freshman Hit The Masked Singer Will Try to Avoid a Sophomore Slump . subscription . Lynch . Jason . . September 25, 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190926021058/https://www.adweek.com/tv-video/masked-singer-season-2-what-to-expect/ . September 26, 2019.
  33. TV's Stickiest Shows . subscription . . March 18, 2019 . May 1, 2020 . Gale In Context: Biography.
  34. Web site: 2018–19 TV Season Ratings: 90 Percent of Veteran Broadcast Shows Fall . Porter . Rick . . May 23, 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190617113702/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/ratings-broadcast-network-series-2018-19-1213344 . June 17, 2019.
  35. Web site: The 2019 TV Hot List: The Year's Biggest and Buzziest Shows, Networks and People . subscription . . October 20, 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191230042701/https://www.adweek.com/tv-video/the-2019-tv-hot-list-the-years-biggest-and-buzziest-shows-networks-and-people/4/ . December 30, 2019 . May 13, 2020 .
  36. News: Who Is That Masked B-Lister? . Schneider . Michael . . https://web.archive.org/web/20200404200853/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48002572/the-gazette/ . April 4, 2020 . February 19, 2019 . live . Newspapers.com.
  37. Web site: Fox plots more 'toons, a 9-1-1 spinoff, the end of Empire and plenty of Masked Singer . Levin . Gary . . May 13, 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190513172632/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/05/13/foxs-fall-schedule-adds-new-toon-wwe-wrestling-and-masked-singer/1184733001/ . May 13, 2019.