Fox
Spoiler alert: don’t read in advance if you haven’t watched season 9, episode 11 of “The Masked Singer,” which aired April 26 on Fox.
Lou Diamond Phillips managed to do something few contestants on “The Masked Singer” do: He rammed the show board into silence. The latest celebrity to be unveiled on the Fox series was Phillips, who was revealed as Mantis on the Wednesday night show.
Also revealed in this episode: Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, who is revealed to be Gargoyle.
It was “Battle of the Saved” night, where he faced Medusa, Gargoyle, and Mantis—three contestants who were saved earlier in the season—to move on to the next round. New this season was “Ding Dong Keep It On”, a new twist to the competition, where panelists had the opportunity to save a singer from imminent elimination, the bell could only be rung three times during the first three rounds, advancing Medusa, Gargoyle and Mantis to face off in Battle this week to join the competition.
Phillips said he had been approached several times in the past to appear on “The Masked Singer,” but his schedule did not allow for it. This time it was, but first he wanted to get his teenage daughter’s blessing. “I’ve watched the show for a number of seasons now and it’s a lot of fun, which is a crowd pleaser,” he said. “My youngest daughter Indigo, who’s 15, it’s her favorite show. She’s having a FaceTime with a friend of hers and they watch it together.
So, when the opportunity arose, I said, ‘Nellie, what do you think? I thought about it because, you know, there’s my “daddy’s world” — the movies and TV stuff that I do — and then there’s my “indigo world” — the stuff that she likes. And there was a moment where she was like, “Please don’t ruin my show.” She thought about it and finally gave me permission. And then I got really excited about it, especially when she saw the outfit. It turned into a cute little family adventure.”
As for the mantis, no one got it right. Panelist Robin Thicke thought it was Dennis Quaid. Nicole Scherzinger went with Steve Buscemi. Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg hired Kevin Bacon. Ken Jeong chose Brendan Fraser.
“I had no illusions about getting in,” Phillips said. “I knew performing in this costume was going to be a challenge. Because it’s not a mask, it’s a weird construction on your head! And between that and the wings and the tail, it was really about figuring out how I could create movement and a theatrical character.”
Phillips said he was offered a dry suit to wear, and at first, he didn’t think he needed it. He said, “Then after the first rehearsal, you’re soaked, just soaked.” “It takes a lot of energy to maneuver this outfit around and to perform in it, in a big fake leather jacket and full shoulder piece holding the head in place. It’s been a very steep learning curve figuring out how to go out and perform and not just stand in one place and sing.”
In the case of Gargoyle, the team also missed out. Thicke picked the wrong charger, Joey Bossa. It’s Marshawn Lynch, Scherzinger said. Jeong went with Anthony Mackie. McCarthy appointed Wahlberg as Michael B Jordan.
Like last season, “The Masked Singer” once again adopted the “Champion of Masked Singer” format. In each episode, three costumed celebrities will perform, but only one will win and move on to compete again the following week. After each round, three contestants will compete in the semi-finals.
This means that one contestant will be revealed midway through the episode, with the top two singers facing off in a “battle royal”. After Phillips’ Praying Mantis mask was unmasked, that left Gargoyle and Medusa facing off against “horns” by Fall Out Boy. Gargoyle received fewer votes and Allen’s mask was unmasked; Medusa is moving.
Lou Diamond Phillips as Mantis and Kenan Allen as Gargoyle join Melissa Joan Hart as Lamp, Alicia Witt as Dandelion, Dee Snyder as Doll, Kristen Quinn as Scorpion, George Wendt as Moose and Holly Robinson Betty as Fairy Alexa Bliss as Axolotl, Lily Pons as Jackalope, Malin Akerman as Squirrel, Michael Bolton as Wolf, Grandmaster Flash as Polar Bear, Debbie Gibson as Night Owl, Howie Mandel as Rock Lobster, Sara Evans as Mustang and Dick Van Dyke as the gnome as the celebrity reveal this season.
The Masked Singer enters Season 9 with 21 contestants including Mustang, Axolotl, California Roll, Dandelion, Moose, Gargoyle, Jackalope, Doll, Polar Bear, Night Owl, “Rock Lobster,” “Gnome,” “Macaw,” “Squirrel,” “Wolf,” and more to be announced. Tim Chappelle is costume designer this season.
Season 9 contestants” boast 28 Emmy Award nominations, six Grammy Awards, 10 Gold Albums, four Golden Globe Award nominations, five Medals, 26 books, two Tony Award nominations, five Lifetime Achievement Awards, and four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 95,231,000 records sold. Season 9 will introduce all-new episodes, including “ABBA Night,” “New York Night,” “DC Superheroes Night,” “Sesame Street Night,” “80s Night,” “Movie Night,” and more.
Here were the contestants and their performance on the eleventh night:
Medusa, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Baker/Fox)
Dad’s House
Medusa (winner)
Song: “Mercy” by Shawn Mendes
panel guesses: Lorde, Susan Boyle, Keisha
an idea: “Nick name”. “Here I am known as Medusa, and at home I go by my own name. But to the world I go by something quite different.”
Audio commentary package: “I was bummed when I heard I lost to California Roll. They were so good I knew I was going home. So, when the bell rang, I couldn’t believe it. It’s really so empowering to be given another chance, especially by the judges.” Whom I respect and admire. I’ve always felt like an underdog. This whole experience takes me back to the early days of my career, where I had to constantly prove to people that I was worth their time and energy. That’s why every time I sing, I really feel like I’m going somewhere different. Free of Ego, insecurities, and it’s all just about the music and feeling emotional. I didn’t know how attached I was to that mask until I almost lost it. Hopefully tonight’s performance will allow me to hold on to it a little longer.”
Previous songs: “Happiest Ever,” Billie Eilish; ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”; “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra
Previous painting guesses: Elle Goulding, Megan Markle, Jessie J, Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, Lorde, Tove Lo, Lorde, Apple Martin, Dakota Johnson; Lorde, Florence Welch, Shirley Manson, Susan Boyle, Kesha. And when she was about to vote: Ken Jeong chose Susan Boyle, Robin Thicke went with Keisha, and Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg said it was Halsey, you guessed Nicole Scherzinger Lord.
Nick Cannon and Gargoyle, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Baker/Fox)
Dad’s House
Gargoyle (KEENAN ALLEN)
Song: “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” by Usher feat. pitbull
panel guesses: De Shane Jackson, Michael B Jordan, Anthony Mackie
an idea: “Before the game.” “Whether I’m listening to my own song, or one of the greats, music always gets me in the zone.”
Audio commentary packageI thought I was down and out. I thought I was going home. Then they rang the bell and kept me alive. I’m thankful they gave me another chance. I was so nervous last time, because I’ve never been on a stage like this before. Although I Used to performing for thousands of people in huge venues.Here I am with this mask on and I’m wearing four layers.It still seems like everyone is looking directly at me.It’s tough, but I have more experience than anyone as an underdog.I’ve been on teams that always had to prove She deserves to be in the national spotlight. So, I’m going to use that to my advantage. I’m going to have to tap into my inner killer and pull off a performance.”
previous song: “One Call Away” by Charlie Puth
Previous painting guesses: Antonio Gates of the Los Angeles Chargers, The Weeknd, Odell Beckham Jr.
Praying Mantis, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Baker/Fox)
Dad’s House
Praying mantis (Lou Diamond Phillips)
Song: “You Really Got Me” by The Kinks
plate guesses: Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, Thomas Lennon
an ideaMaverick movie. “I’ve won awards for my indie spirit. But the real reward is getting more movie credits than Kane.”
Audio commentary package“Oh, Lord, man, it blows me away to be given a second chance. I wasn’t expecting to get out of the first episode. This is my daughter’s favorite show. I’ve watched the show, and you have ridiculously talented singers! We know I’m not known for being a singer. So, I thought That I’d go in, try to hold my own, be amusing. Then Robin chose to bail me out. It’s like a Cinderella story! When you touch someone’s heart, it makes all the difference in the world. I’ve been outside the box most of my career. I don’t fit a lot of molds People’s classic as the leading man. I’ve rarely been anyone’s first choice. I’ve always felt I had to earn it, I had to work for it. And the beauty of it is that I love the job. I love the craft. I even love doing this. I’ve developed it into a character This stage, transforming into this God of Rocks. It would be absolutely amazing to win it all. There are no more archives.”
previous song: “Old Time Rock and Roll” by Bob Seger
Previous painting guessesDennis Quaid, Cole Hauser, Kevin Bacon, Bruce Springsteen. And when he was about to vote: Jeong said it was Bruce Springsteen. (“Worst guess ever!” said Scherzinger.) Scherzinger thought it was Keanu Reeves. McCarthy and Wahlberg chose Kevin Bacon. Guess Thicke Dennis Quaid.