SPOILER alert: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 10, Episode 5 of “The Masked Singer,” “A Celebration of Elton John,” which aired Oct. 18 on Fox.
Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote the track “Philadelphia Freedom” in 1975 at the behest of tennis icon Billie Jean King (whose team was the Philadelphia Freedoms). So, it was wildly appropriate that King performed the song on Wednesday during “A Celebration of Elton John” on Fox’s “The Masked Singer.”
King performed “Philadelphia Freedom” as the Royal Hen — and the fact that we know she was on the show means that, alas, she was also the next celebrity to be unmasked on “Singer.”
“A true trail blazer, she is famous for championing equal opportunities for all, and has made it her royal mission to be a voice for the voiceless,” a “Masked Singer” voiceover shared in giving the hints to whom the Royal Hen might be. “Her road to stardom was wrought with prejudice. She knew sitting idly by was for the birds. She was no chicken. She entered the ring bravely and proved to her 90 million subjects that she was worthy of the crown. Here she is receiving the royal stadium hot dog. Now, having inspired a new flock of birds, her name is etched in history.”
And it is indeed. Meanwhile, among the “Masked Singer” panelists, Ken Jeong is on a roll, getting his third right guess of the season with Billie Jean King. Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg guessed Rita Moreno. Robin Thicke named Gloria Steinem. Nicole Scherzinger went with Dr. Ruth.
The two singers with the least number of votes, facing off in a smackdown to determine who would be unmasked, were Royal Hen and Hawk. The two contestants sang their own spin on “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” by Elton John and Kiki Dee. Hawk moved on to next week, while Royal Hen was unmasked.
King, of course, is known for her milestone victory in the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match against Bobby Riggs. Last month was the 50th anniversary of that match, still the most-watched event in tennis history. This is also the 50th anniversary of the WTA Tour and the U.S. Open awarding equal prize money to men’s and women’s champions. Next up, the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, a key tennis competition named in her honor, takes place Nov. 7 to Nov 12 in Seville, Spain.
King is also the host of the new PBS documentary “Groundbreakers,” which explores how Title IX impacted women in sports. “Groundbreakers” premieres Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. ET on PBS.
Billie Jean King as Royal Hen joins Michael Rapaport as Pickle, Tom Sandoval as Diver, Anthony Anderson as Rubber Ducky and one-time special guest Demi Lovato as Anonymouse as the Season 10 unmasked celebrities so far.
This was the start of Group B, with an entirely new group of contestants. (The Group A Finals will include S’more, Cow and Gazelle.) It was also a tribute to Elton John night, kicked off by panelist Robin Thicke — who opened the show by singing “Tiny Dancer.”
“The Masked Singer” features a new format this season, with three groups followed by Battle Royale semi-final episodes. The season also includes the return of Wild Card contestants, with one Wild Card introduced to each group, and the “Ding Dong Keep It On Bell” is back in the Battle Royale semi-final episodes, where the judges can choose to save one contestant from elimination and move them directly to the finale.
With sixteen total celebrity singers, Season 10 features new costumes including “Donut,” “Anteater,” “Hawk,” “Hibiscus,” “Diver,” “Gazelle,” “Royal Hen,” “Husky,” “Tiki,” “Pickle,” “Rubber Ducky” and a life-size “S’More.” Also returning to mark the show’s 10th are celebrities who have been previously unmasked since the show began. According to the show, Season 10 contestants “boast a combined 40 medals, 33 Grammy nominations, seven hall of fame awards, three lifetime achievement awards and over 50 tattoos.”
The season’s themed episodes will include a tribute to Elton John; a “Trolls Night” tied to the November release of DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls Band Together”; a “Harry Potter Night” airing the week of Halloween; “NFL Night”; “One Hit Wonders”; “Disco”; “2000s Night”; “I Wanna Rock”; and “Soundtrack of My Life.” Back for Season 10 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke.
Here were the other performances on this week’s episode:
Hawk
Song: “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting),” by Elton John
Panel guesses: Cole Sprouse, Pete Wentz, Corey Feldman, Austin Butler
Clue: Brought out by a tiny dancer: A photo of Miley Cyrus. “Just like the great Elton John, I too have collaborated with Miley Cyrus, and I loved every second of it.”
Package voiceover: “As a young bird, I was always hanging out with adults, and grew up pretty fast into the family business. But around other birds my age, I was super shy. Closed off. And I felt alone, like a total reject. Until one day I heard a sound that changed my life in a blink of an eye. Heavy guitar chords blaring from my speakers that got my teen heart beating. This fast, raw music blew up my world. And the fallout? Boards, brawn and bruises. I built my own voice in my own way. I had the time of my life touring; I found my power in grime and parking lots. I’ve never been happier among my clique. And I realized being a reject was totally fine by me.”
Husky
Song: “Benny and the Jets,” by Elton John
Panel guesses: Babyface, Terrence Howard, Morris Chestnut
Clue: Presented by a rocket man. “I skyrocketed up the charts and landed on this platinum album.”
Package voiceover: “The Husky is one of the world’s most majestic creatures. They’re known to inhabit all sorts of landscapes and elements. But they’re also extremely energetic, aware and loving. Just like me! When I first hit the scene, I had a strange effect on the female species. Every time I got on stage, they showered me with love. And sometimes, their underthings. Despite the positive attention, I was totally loyal. A family dog. More interested in my own brood than the trappings of fame. I’m ready to bring my boundless energy and talent and doggone dopeness to the ‘Masked Singer’ stage. I just ask that those in the audience, please keep your clothes on.”
Royal Hen
Song: “Philadelphia Freedom,” by Elton John
Panel guesses: Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno, Billie Jean King
Clue: A medal on a heart. “This is when I won the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama.”
Package voiceover: “We welcome viewers to the coronation of the Royal Hen. For the first time ever, the Royal Hen is set to hold court. A true trail blazer, she is famous for championing equal opportunities for all, and has made it her royal mission to be a voice for the voiceless. Her road to stardom was wrought with prejudice. She knew sitting idly by was for the birds. She was no chicken. She entered the ring bravely and proved to her 90 million subjects that she was worthy of the crown. Here she is receiving the royal stadium hot dog. Now, having inspired a new flock of birds, her name is etched in history. Congratulations, we are here to serve you. God save the Royal Hen.”
Tiki
Song: “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” by Elton John
Panel guesses: John Stamos, David Lee Roth, Robert Plant
Clue: “I guess that’s why they call it the blues.” “If you ever feeling bluesy, you can come to me for a good laugh!”
Package voiceover: “All right! From as far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a rock star. As a kid, I knew I had the pipes. So, when the dream came true, it made perfect sense. I got to sell millions of records, travel the world and party with some of music’s biggest names. But I was a stiff drink with a loose mouth. And I got myself into a lot of trouble. [Says Pineapple, ‘Tiki’s friend’: ‘Yeah he definitely rubbed some people the wrong way. It’s no surprise a few of them wanted to rum punch him in the face!’] After all the highs, I was left fearing that my career would be poured down the drain. Instead, I cleaned up my act, stepped out on my own and showed I’m still at the top of my game. As for these other singers? I’m here to tiki home that Golden Mask. And you’re all grasping at straws!”
“The Masked Singer” is produced by Fox Alternative Entertainment, with James Breen (who is also showrunner), Craig Plestis and Cannon as executive producers.
