‘The Masked Dancer’ Group B premiere features shocking fall, shocking reveal
Well, 2021 is choosing up proper the place 2020 left off, contemplating {that a} troupe of dancing bipedal animals, unimaginable edibles, and rando inanimate objects wasn’t the craziest factor seen on tv this Wednesday. But whereas chaos was unfolding on CNN, over on Fox The Masked Dancer — which, like its hit sister present The Masked Singer, stars thriller movie star cosplayers — settled properly into its common Wednesday time slot. And this occurred to be the identical night time that Masked Dancer choose Paula Abdul’s previous American Idol co-star, Randy Jackson, debuted on Fox’s Name That Tune reboot, thus reminding us all of easier and happier instances.
The Masked Dancer half one premiere really aired at the end of 2020, with the dancers-in-disguise of Group A (the Hammerhead, Tulip, Cricket, Exotic Bird, and first reject the Disco Ball, who turned out to be none apart from gangsta rap icon Ice-T). This week, we met Group B’s Zebra, Cotton Candy, Ice Cube, Moth, and Sloth. I didn’t have excessive hopes for the Sloth, for the apparent causes, however he exhibited an surprising quantity of velocity and power, and he due to this fact survived — as did clear frontrunner the Cotton Candy, regardless of struggling a really scary and nasty fall in rehearsal whereas performing a Cirque du Soleil-style aerial stunt excessive above the stage. (I’m astounded that extra contestants haven’t fallen on this present, given the costumes’ restricted vary of imaginative and prescient and movement. But I’m relieved that the Cotton Candy’s fluffy costume seemingly cushioned her touchdown.)
Instead it was the Ice Cube that in the end melted beneath the stress. I had hoped that, in a completely meta second, the Ice Cube can be one other old-school rapper: the precise Ice Cube, N.W.A.’s O’Shea Jackson, who costarred with Masked choose Ken Jeong in Ride Along 2. This cool character’s verbal “Word Up!” clue was even “‘90s icon”! But the Cube was in fact the equally iconic but otherwise completely different Bill Nye the Science Guy. Bill’s awkward try and do ballroom to the Postmodern Jukebox model of “Bad Romance” sadly didn’t have the judges going gaga; if solely he’d danced to Oingo Boingo’s “Weird Science” (like he did on Dancing With the Stars in Season 13), or possibly to “She Blinded Me With Science” by fellow brainiac Thomas Dolby, he may not have been iced out of the competitors so quickly.
Surprisingly, Ken, who is nearly by no means proper on The Masked Singer, made a scientifically correct guess this week and found out that this was certainly Nye. (The different judges speculated that the ice-man was everybody from Axl Rose to Anderson Cooper to Al Gore). This was spectacular, because the Masked Dancer panelists should rely solely on clue packages and physique language when scrutinizing the contestants. But how nicely did Ken and the opposite judges do at figuring out Group B’s different celebrities? And how nicely did I do? Let’s get into Science Guy mode and attempt to make some calculated guesses.
The Cotton Candy
While lesser Masked Dancer contestants have actually gone by means of the motions this season, this confectionary creature took issues to actually new heights by recreating P!nk’s iconic “Glitter in the Air” aerial efficiency from the 2010 Grammys. Though her above-mentioned rehearsal mishap virtually ruined her possibilities earlier than his season was even totally underway, her triumphant restoration on the principle stage proved that she has what it takes to be this season’s final champ. Judge Ashley Tisdale praised the Cotton Candy “winner’s attitude,” and Ken referred to as this “the most beautiful performance I’ve ever seen on a Masked show.”
The clues: She’s a “perfectionist” and “wiz kid” who moved in with a brand new household so as or pursue her showbiz desires — a childhood expertise that she discovered traumatic. We additionally noticed a conventional English breakfast, three-pound dumbbells, and lips-patterned cupcakes.
Judges’ guesses: Jenna Dewan, Kylie Jenner, Julianne Hough, and even the precise P!nk.
My guess: Julianne suits the invoice. Besides being a professional who is aware of the right way to keep away from and/or shortly rebound from damage, she was despatched to check dance in England as a toddler. The Cotton Candy’s petite body can also be a match for Julianne.
The Sloth
The Sloth introduced the comedy throughout his ‘80s aerobics routine to the Romantics’ “What I Like About You,” utilizing a backup dancer as a human weight for his bicep curls and faking a Redd Foxx-style coronary heart assault whereas sprinting on a treadmill. There was so much to love about this goofy efficiency.
The clues: We noticed a badge with the initials “D.R.,” the quantity 13, fireplace, and a tube of GLEEM toothpaste (with the letter M blocked out). He talked about a nasty childhood accident and stated, “People talked down and dirty to me and said I was just a Mickey Mouse operation.” Other verbal clues have been the road “call the feds” and the phrase “Broadway” in a wierd (and possibly pretend) Transylvanian accent.
Judges’ guesses: Matthew Morrison, Taye Diggs, Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Derulo, Kevin Federline.
My guess: Loads of the clues do level to Playing With Fire rapper Okay-Fed, a former skilled dancer and the ex-husband of Mickey Mouse Club star Britney Spears. But I going to go along with Broadway actor, “I Wanna Be on Glee” singer, and Disney fanatic Todrick Hall. Todrick is besties with Taylor Swift (whose fortunate quantity is 13); the “D.R.” may stand for one more actuality present on which Todrick usually seems, RuPaul’s Drag Race; and the story about being regarded down upon is paying homage to his revenge song “F**.” Todrick can also be a complete ham who may off this type of wacky routine.
The Zebra
This striped star actually hoofed it to Sérgio Mendes’s “Magalenha” and labored that black-and-white fringe throughout his enjoyable salsa quantity — a lot so that just about of the judges guessed that he was an precise Latin music pop star.
The clues: We noticed a silver medal and a sizzling canine, and we heard a ton of boy-band lyrical references that made it look like this is likely to be somebody from One Direction, New Kids on the Block, or the Backstreet Boys. He stated he’s been off the scene for some time, however “even the president” is aware of his title and he’s prepared for his “comeback” and “second act.” He additionally stated he had a tough time rising up and has an “achin’ in his heart.”
Judges’ guesses: Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Marc Anthony, Pitbull, Kevin Richardson.
My guess: I feel it’s neither a Latin singer nor a boy-bander. I feel that is Clay Aiken (“achin’,” get it?), who was on The Celebrity Apprentice with President Trump (on which he bought the “silver,” second place, simply as he did on American Idol). Clay hasn’t launched an album in 9 years, however he’s positively had a second act as a politician. I hope I’m proper, as a result of I’d like to see Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Clay Aiken all on tv collectively on the identical night time. Maybe Clay may even make it to second place once more!
The Moth
It was clear that this winged creature isn’t a skilled dancer, however she moved nicely throughout her line-dance to “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” Paula referred to as her “a natural” and described her efficiency as “regal.”
The clues: She stumbled upon fame unintentionally, after making headlines attributable to a presidential scandal; the expertise modified her life eternally, however the self-described “survivor” used her platform to shine a light-weight on necessary points and assist different. We additionally noticed a field of shredded, discarded garments and a maple tree, and the Moth’s “Word Up! clue was “inspired.”
Judges’ guesses: Megan Kelly, Monica Lewinsky, Marla Maples.
My guess: Monica is likely to be too apparent, however the clues do add up. She has develop into an outspoken anti-bullying activist and #MeToo crusader, and the boxed secondhand garments could possibly be a reference to her notorious blue gown (or to her short-lived fashion-design profession). Plus, Monica has masked-reality-TV expertise: Let’s not overlook she hosted Fox’s Mr. Personality in 2003!
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