SPOILER alert: Do not read ahead if you have not watched the Season 11 season premiere of “The Masked Singer,” which aired March 6 on Fox.
“The Masked Singer” kicked off its 11th season on Wednesday night — and in perhaps the show’s most unusual reveal ever, comedian Kevin Hart brought his prank war with host Nick Cannon to the show.
Hart brought his one-night-only appearance to “The Masked Singer” as Book, singing the song “So Sick,” by Ne-Yo (who happened to be the Season 10 winner on the show). The performance… was a bit pitchy, dawg. At the end of the song, the show’s panelists seemed to dig it. But after Robin Thicke quickly I.D.’ed Hart, the star took off his costume to reveal himself.
“This is a prank, you had no idea I was coming here Nick, and guess what, there’s nothing you can do about it,” Hart exclaimed to Cannon — who supposedly was not told about the appearance before hand. Hart and Cannon have a long history of pranking each other, and have even turned that into the series “Celebrity Prank Wars.”
“This is stupid!” Cannon exclaimed. “That was the worst performance ever on the history of this show!”
Hart claimed his off-key rendition of “So Sick” was on purpose, but Cannon wasn’t having it: “You embarrassed yourself! You look very stupid.” Replied Hart: “I look put together Nick. There’s nothing stupid about me. You know who looks stupid? You, in that stupid jacket.”
In the end, with Hart revealing himself, none of the other celebrity contestants on Wednesday’s premiere were unmasked.
Prior to revealing himself, Hart-as-Book added: ” I’m pumped up. I’ve done a whole lot. Like a lot. But what I’m doing right now, this might be my most novel experience yet. I’ve been looking forward to this. It’s all I’ve been thinking about. And the fact that I got to come out here and express myself, I’m just excited.”
Back for Season 11 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke, while Rita Ora has joined the desk to fill in for Nicole Scherzinger, who was in London to star on the West End’s “Sunset Boulevard.”
Ora opened Season 11 by performing The Who’s “Who Are You?” — one of the show’s signature themes.
“The Masked Singer” Season 11 will feature themed episodes including “The Wizard of Oz,” in celebration of the 85th anniversary of the classic film; “Transformers” (marking the brand’s 40th anniversary) and music tributes including “Billy Joel Night” and “Queen Night.” Additional themes include “Girl Groups,” “Soundtrack of My Life,” “TV Theme Night” and “Shower Anthems.”
With sixteen total celebrity singers, including three “wildcards,” Season 11 features new costumes including “Gumball,” “Lizard,” “Ugly Sweater,” “Goldfish,” “Starfish” and “Book.”
Here were the other Group A performances on Wednesday’s premiere episode:
Goldfish
Song: “Vampire,” by Olivia Rodrigo
Panel guesses: Lea Michele, Selena Gomez, Carly Rae Jepsen
Clue: Gold record. “Let the record show that gold is my lucky color.”
Package voiceover: “It’s official. You finally caught me in ‘The Masked Singer’ net. When I first started out, I made a splash overnight. But all that success made me feel like I was living in a fishbowl, with everyone’s eyes and expectations on me. I had big decisions to make. I could play it safe, or dive into deeper, darker edgier waters. So, I took the plunge. Even though it was a risk, I swam against the current and broke the mold. And to this day, still love to keep people guessing. That’s why I’m here. Hollywood can be a little soul sucking. So, I’m proud I kept my head on my shoulders. Just like this mask is going to be.”
Starfish
Song: “Material Girl,” by Madonna
Panel guesses: Catherine O’Hara, Cheri Oteri, Molly Shannon
Clue: Clock that says, “50 Billion.” “I’ve been streamed over 50 billion minutes. And that was just in one year!”
Package voiceover: “Heard you guys were having a premiere party. So, I threw on a bathing suit and came right over. When I was just starting out, I was serving steaks to the stars. I rubbed elbows with the likes of Steve Martin and Whitney Houston. All I heard was, ‘check please!’ Then I got the gig of a lifetime. One that would make my name known worldwide. Now, I have it all. And I can afford it! So, trust that your yes is coming. Or find a rich sugar mama like me to mooch off.”
Ugly Sweater
Song: “The Best,” by Tina Turner
Panel guesses: Charlie Wilson, Nile Rodgers, Verdine White
Clue: “Featuring” on an ugly sweater. “Ugly Sweater’s always in style. Must be why the biggest stars want to work with me.”
Package voiceover: “When I hit the scene as a young, handsome Ugly Sweater, I was the epitome of style and top of the world. I lost focus. And my whole world unraveled. I went from living in penthouses to sleeping on park benches. My life was hanging on by a thread. But when I hit rock bottom, I realized that I had to change. And I started fighting to reclaim my voice. Now, I’m back on top, better than before. So, I want to win that trophy for all the people who helped me back on my feet, to live a life that’s simply the best.”
Lovebird
Song: “Home,” by Phillip Phillips
Panel guesses: Travis Kelce, Odell Beckham Jr., Nick Viall
Clue: Television set that says “Leading Man.” “I may make for a great Love Bird, but you know I’m even better as a leading man.”
Package voiceover: “It is so fitting that I’m a Lovebird. Because what can I say, I’m a hopeless romantic. Every decision I’ve made in my life is because of love. Either hoping to find it, or the fear of losing it. And you know how they say, love makes you do wild things. Well, they were right. OK, moving on. I’ve had success in many fields. But I always followed my heart. And I ended up in front of millions. I even won awards for being so loveable. But my proudest achievement, finally finding someone to nest with. And now, I’ve followed my love of music to be on this stage. I’m not a singer, but I’ve always wanted to be on this show for seasons. And I’m so happy to be here tonight.”
Book
Song: “So Sick,” by Ne-Yo
Panel guesses: Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, Eddie Murphy, Kevin Hart (Robin)
Package voiceover: “Of course I’m the book. I have stories for days and a vocabulary that’s really… what’s the word? Good. And I owe it all to my mom. See, my brother was a troublemaker. A real crime novel. So, my mom had to lay down the law… on me. So, I was good at everything, from school to sports. But when it came to performing, I was abhorrent. There’s that vocabulary again. That means awful. But I knew I was bound to make it. And these days, I’m a best seller. Making over 4 billion dollars in the box office. That’s a lot of paper! Now I’m here with a cover song from last season’s champion. With a mission to impress one special friend.”
Last season’s performers included Ne-Yo as Cow, John Schneider as Donut, Macy Gray as Sea Queen and Janel Parrish as Gazelle join John Oates as Anteater, Keyshia Cole as Candelabra, Sebastian Bach as Tiki, Ginuwine as Husky, Ashley Parker Angel as S’more, Metta World Peace as Cuddle Monster, Luann de Lesseps as Hibiscus, Tyler Posey as Hawk, Billie Jean King as Royal Hen, Michael Rapaport as Pickle, Tom Sandoval as Diver, Anthony Anderson as Rubber Ducky and one-time special guest Demi Lovato as Anonymouse.
Fox Alternative Entertainment is behind “The Masked Singer,” which is exec produced by showrunner James Breen, Craig Plestis, and Nick Cannon. The series is based on the South Korean format created by Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp.
