Masked Singer Brings Panel to Its Toes with Rock-and-Roll Corridor of Fame Virtuoso Unmasking

This week, although, issues took a barely extra sinister flip because the Ghostbusters theme took over the studio, together with the presence of the enduring Ernie Hudson who — as Nick Cannon identified — seems like he simply walked off the set of the enduring movie that was in some way 4 many years in the past.

A bona fide Ghostbuster, Slimer and the Keep Puft Marshmallow Man might need introduced the frights, however Boogie Woogie, Griffin, Pearl, and House Ranger positively weren’t afraid of one another. This was an important week of performances with even higher clues and guesses — apart from George Clooney, Ken!

With covers starting from Blue Öyster Cult to Rihanna and The Busboys, these artists had been actually bringing a variety of approaches and types and vocal ranges. Group A winners Coral and Paparazzo are going to have their arms full when two of those 4 be a part of them within the subsequent spherical!

Let’s soar proper in with this week’s masks. And don’t fret, earlier than we get to the surprising unmasking(s), we’ll make you energy by the horrible (and sometimes good) guesses made by our illustrious panel of Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora first. We do that as a result of we love … to torture you.

(“(Do not Concern) The Reaper,” Blue Öyster Cult) Pearl was positively pushing herself into the moodiness of this piece by dropping into the deepest elements of her register to nail the low opening bars of this piece. She did not sound fairly as assured down right here, but it surely was additionally clear she was holding in that vast voice that began belting later within the piece. She’s a flexible and proficient vocalist, although she did not give as a lot in physicality (we may blame the costume).

Clues & Guesses: This week, our robust famous person opened up about a part of how she gained a few of that tough exterior, revealing that she left her small city house as a teen earlier than graduating highschool and wound up working at a bar.

Whereas displaying us herself engaged on a diagram of soccer performs, Pearl stated she broke into the large time “virtually accidentally.” Different clues included a crescent moon, deer portray within the background, her face on a Wished poster, and her sweeping and taking out the trash at her early days bar job.

Her on-stage clue was the phrase “Finest Vendor,” which she added context to by saying, “I am a little bit of a ghostwriter myself. I understand how to place pen to paper.”

The principle thrust of Pearl’s backstory in her first clue bundle was that, like a Pearl, she is the treasure inside a troublesome exterior. She’s all the time cherished performing and sees herself as a softy at coronary heart, however nobody else actually sees her like that as a result of she finds it exhausting to shake that tough edge.

She stated that “folks like me aren’t promised an opportunity at an enormous break,” so she took any gig she may get till she lastly made it. Alongside the best way, we noticed a seaside, a ship marina, a seaside bar, the place she picked from a bowl of cherries, an umbrella, and a baseball.

When requested how this takes her exterior of her consolation zone, Pearl instructed Nick, “I can let you know that I’ve dressed this fancy earlier than. Normally after I’m on the pink carpet and so they ask me what I am carrying, I simply say, I acquired it on sale.”

Rita took the “bestseller” clue to imply she’s “among the best songwriters of all time,” pondering it is an skilled musical legend like Joan Jett. Ken stood up with all of the conceited grandeur he may muster to declare that that is Madonna, proving he wasn’t listening in any respect! No one was on board with this one, although he acquired loads of laughs for it.

“Like a prayer on that one,” Robin quipped, earlier than saying he thinks he is aware of precisely who that is — although not in these phrases — based mostly on the acquainted voice. He is feeling tremendous assured that that voice belongs to Melissa Etheridge.

On-line pearl guesses have included Alanis Morissette, Bette Midler, and even Keke Palmer. However the greatest rising consensus is behind Gretchen Wilson. Gretchen did drop out of the eighth grade to go work as a prepare dinner and bartender in a bar in rural Illinois after rising up in Pocahontas, IL (pop. 680).

(“Disturbia,” Rihanna) Griffin added a variety of readability to his vocal strategy, as he would not carry himself like a educated vocalist, however has robust pipes and a pure expertise. Now that we all know he is a theater geek who cherished Broadway, a few of these affectations and tendencies are extra evident in his tackle fashionable music, like this gothic interpretation of Rihanna’s basic.

Clues & Guesses: Teased and bullied rising up for his love of theater and Broadway, Griffin shared that he made a literal fort the place he obsessed over the Ghostbusters soundtrack, and different favorites. He stated that the bullying led to some darkish ideas, which is why he carried out this week in tribute to different “freaks or geeks” to point out there’s a method by.

We noticed that report participant, in addition to a film digicam and a flying bat. We additionally noticed a photograph of Lamp, who was Melissa Joan Hart again in Season 9.

McKenna Grace supplied his video clue, which was, “Not solely is he an unbelievable performer, however he is an excellent higher particular person. He is like a dad on the set. I would know this as a result of I’ve co-starred with him.” Griffin shared, ‘McKenna’s improbable, she’s had an important profession, and one among my youngsters thinks I am very cool as a result of I as soon as labored along with her.”

An in a single day success, in line with his first clue bundle, Griffin shared that he wasn’t ready for the large heights of his fandom, saying that his “first hit immortalized” him. At this second, he acquired hit within the head with a “Faculty’s Out” bell, suggesting he is acquired a teen star background — possibly on a school-themed present?

Speaking about his fame, he recalled the time a lady instructed him she would take grime off of his automotive to take house to her kids, suggesting the age of his fanbase on the peak of his fame. We additionally noticed a 6-pointed “star” that regarded like a sheriff’s badge and a VHS tape with a Jack-O-Lantern on it as he talked about how he realized he is “solely human” currently, as his future was rewritten and he realized that this life is treasured.

Now, he is able to take each alternative that comes his method, like this one. When requested what being on the present means, Griffin stated, “The stage is my comfortable place. I adore it right here. I really feel so fortunate.”

Jenny was impressed by the juxtaposition of going from somebody who was bullied to “bringing it like this on the stage. I’m blown away by you!”

Rita leaned again into her Freddie Prinze Jr., tying the “vampire bat” to his spouse, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sarah Michelle Gellar. Ken, although, thinks the Freaks & Geeks allusion may seek advice from Jason Segel, who starred in Cannot Hardly Wait with Melissa Joan Hart.

Jenny, although, determined that possibly the Bat is in reference to Batman as an alternative of a vampire, to assist her Robert Pattinson guess, however he would not really feel just like the type of star who would do that present. Rita additionally shared that Robert launched her to her husband, Taika Waititi, and she or he thinks he’d be too shy to do that … however the clues do match.

Rita was torn between Matthew Lillard and Freddie Prinze Jr., who each have spooky pedigrees to tie into the Halloween-themed video tape. Ken, although, shifted to maybe David Arquette, as a result of badge, in Scream, which even Jenny needed to concede was “not dangerous,” agreeing with Jenny. “I will take all of these.” Griffin stated.

On-line guesses included our preliminary guess of James Van Der Beek, in addition to continued assist for David Arquette, in addition to guesses for Adam Pascal, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar. James was recognized in August 2023 with colorectal most cancers, conserving his battle personal till November 2024, which might give him that sense that life is treasured.

He was additionally an unabashed theater child, starring in center faculty manufacturing of Joseph and the Wonderful Technicolor Dreamcoat and making is off-Broadway debut at simply 16 years previous. He was a part of an a cappella group in school, which affirms his vocal chops, too, dropping out when Dawson’s Creek went to sequence.

(“Cleanin’ Up the City,” The Busboys) House Ranger went method old-school on this observe, with a reasonably respectable vocal with the music’s extra tempered expectations. It wasn’t an important efficiency on the subject of singing, but it surely was entertaining in a bouncy, goofy, playful type of method. This man’s acquired a variety of charisma and stage presence, that is for positive.

Clues & Guesses: His Ghostbusters week clues had been all about how he hustled towards his huge break, selecting up odd jobs like shifting furnishings and catering, whereas we additionally noticed some development tools. He stated that he and his buddies had huge goals, however nobody was , till they referred to as a “beastly band of boys” — which needs to be the Beastie Boys, proper?

House Ranger stated, as we noticed a mixer board, that with their new pals, their profession went into hyperdrive, launching a motion that went worldwide. We additionally noticed an previous field tv tuned to “Channel 0” and a crown alongside the best way.

His on-stage clue regarded like a tiny moon rover with a glowing Earth globe on it. “The Ghostbusters all the time save the day. And I might’ve helped them out, however I used to be busy touring the world.”

Nick not solely was assured he is aware of who that is, however he was shocked that Ken didn’t. In his clue bundle, the House Ranger — who’s notably shorter than Nick — stated TMS has been on his bucket listing for years. He talked about successful gold and scoring {hardware} to put on round his neck, whereas displaying a report card with an A+ for PE.

We additionally noticed a home of playing cards and a pink field of sweets as the person who claimed to be Taylor Swift’s besties described himself as futuristic and dwelling on his personal planet, similar to his character. He additionally conceded he is not everybody’s cup of tea. “Taylor Swift is my homie,” House Ranger instructed Nick. “We go method again. She’s one among my besties.”

Robin stated he went with Tracy Morgan final week as a result of he felt he knew the voice, and he is not backing down now. Tracy has toured the world as a comic book. Ken, nevertheless, took the “DJ pad” and the crown to the Recent Prince of Bel-Air and thinks this may very well be DJ Jazzy Jeff.

“I do love that for you and also you solely,” Rita instructed Ken of his guess, earlier than throwing out her personal guess. She additionally shared that Jenny has been manifesting this particular person for a very long time, with Jenny including that the heart-shaped field of sweets may very well be for his Taste of Love sequence. Might this be Taste Flav, who blew up with Public Enemy across the time of the Ghostbusters?

His iconic clock positively suits the vibe of his belt buckle, however maybe essentially the most telling connection is that the Beastie Boys invited Public Enemy to open for them on their Licensed to Ailing tour in 1987, which helped catapult Public Enemy to new heights of fame. Oh, and he is admitted to being “King Swiftie” earlier than the pair lastly acquired to satisfy face-to-face in 2023.

(“Radioactive,” Think about Dragons) Boogie Woogie has acquired an unbelievable voice, crammed with a lot character and grit. He completely nailed the vocals on this one, whilst he stated its creepier vibe is method out of his acquainted constructive zone. There was a touch of grit, unbelievable energy and management, and only a true sense of how one can use his instrument.

Clues & Guesses: Seems Boogie Woogie is a ray of positivity and sunshine on a regular basis, one thing he acquired from his mother and father, who made child reveals. He stated that he is been referred to as every little thing from naive to sheltered to pretend by the haters, however although it hurts, he will not let it get him down, or change who he’s.

He even shared that he principally will get instructed his positivity is inspiring, and has even saved lives. Visually within the bundle we noticed a telescope with a star on the top of it, a disco ball, and a pair of faucet sneakers.

Ernie Hudson introduced out his Ghostbusters clue, which was a scroll that learn “Doctorate of Medical Science.” Boogie Woogie defined, “Nothing scary about this clue. In actual fact, being hooked up to this present was a really nice shock.”

BW — can we name you BW? — got here out with a lot pump and swag in his first look, slamming into Nick and clearly having a blast trying like an outsized disco Muppet. As he owned this disco stage his clue bundle revealed that he spent his childhood desirous to be the focus.

As he tried to shift into leisure, he discovered combined success, although. He stated he had goals of being a clown, educating himself to juggle, and a magician. He even entered a expertise present and received, however when he shifted to attempting to make it for actual, he wound up struggling to make ends meet as a busker.

Visible clues included 4 quarters from 1972 in his busker’s magician’s hat, a Boogie Woogie Journal, and the pink, yellow, and blue balls he juggled. On stage, he stated, “My principal magic trick for this entire scenario is to make the opposite monsters and singers disappear.”

“Let’s not be ridiculous,” Ken stated. “Boogie Woogie is George Clooney and I will let you know why.” In fact, he was connecting the physician present clue to ER, but it surely was in any other case his typical idiocy. Jen cherished his ardour for that “horrible” guess, earlier than Jenny thought of Doogie Howser, M.D. star Neil Patrick Harris, who’s been identified to juggle and carry out some magic.

Rita, although, thinks this is likely to be a bona fide skilled singer, tying the sneakers to “I Really feel Like Dancing” and Jason Mraz. She even stated she sang backup for him as a teen and it type of feels like him … possibly.

Social media digs the NPH guess, and nonetheless assume it is likely to be Brandon Urie, however one other title has picked up much more steam. And he is a bona fide musician, for Rita. Might this be Andy Grammer, who’s father was notable kids’s singer Robert “Purple” Grammar? Andy additionally admitted to Parade again in 2015 that he thought he wished to be a clown earlier than he discovered music.

However maybe most tellingly, his music “Do not Give Up on Me” went viral in 2019 after it appeared in a poignant scene from Gray’s Anatomy about Meredith’s (Ellen Pompeo) frustrations with the medical system failing sufferers. It was his second observe on the present, after “All the time,” however positively the extra impactful one.

Then, Detective Fortunate Duck virtually cemented this guess when he laughed at Ken’s Clooney guess and instructed us if we wished to suss the true which means of the clue, we would have liked to make use of our brains, you understand, our “grey matter.” Yuuuup!

We predicted it ought to occur final week and we’re not feeling any totally different after what simply went down this week. Boogie Woogie laid it down, whereas Griffin and Pearl each had robust performances, general, as effectively. Whereas House Ranger is extremely entertaining and was a greater vocalist on this throwback observe, he is simply not on the similar stage as his masked counterparts.

Shaking his knees by the dramatic reveal, and he was proper to be nervous because it was certainly House Ranger going house, with an “Aw, man!” from Nick for having to say goodbye to his shut pal.

His most significant clue was revealed from the Crack the Case Clue Case was a pair of white-framed sun shades. “Whenever you shine as vivid as I’ve, generally you simply gotta go incognito,” House Ranger stated. “Plus, I actually assume that I look fairly fly in them, anyway.”

• Robin Thicke: Taste Flav
• Jenny McCarthy: Taste Flav
• Ken Jeong: DJ Jazzy Jeff
• Rita Ora: Taste Flav

To be sincere, we predict Ken most likely knew who this was by this level, both, however he knew it was way more entertaining to double down on his incorrect — however not as horrible as typical — guess. In fact this was Taste Flav, “boyeeeeee!” a real legend of hip-hop, music, and leisure, in addition to an all-around nice human being.

Truthfully, we’re as shocked as Nick and everybody else that it is taken him this lengthy to deliver his distinctive taste to this present. They’re each equally off-kilter and delightfully goofy. This union is nearly too excellent.

The Masked Singer continues subsequent Wednesday with “Grande Ole Opry Evening” at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.