Two-Episode Week for “MASKED SINGER” S-2 Sees Three Contestants Gone

The second season of quirky singing reality show “The Masked Singer” on Fox looks to be trying to finish up its competition before the end of the year. That would easily account for why Fox aired two episodes of the show this week, one airing a day before the usual scheduled timeslot. Then again, this season there were more incognito singers in the running compared to the inaugural season, and “The Masked Singer” skipped broadcast days twice in October and once in November. The quickest way to decide the top three finalists was a consecutive-day broadcast, with the follow-up episode featuring a double elimination too.

The remaining mystery contestants of “The Masked Singer” season 2 were quickly whittled down into a final three following two episodes airing Tuesday, December 10 and Wednesday, December 11. With only six remaining contestants at the start of the week, all of them got to perform before the panelists, one song each, in between more identity hint discussion for the audience’s sake. In the Tuesday episode according to Variety, the glittery holiday-themed Tree fell short of the vote with her rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory,” and was therefore unmasked as comedienne Ana Gasteyer. The fact that she got as far as she did is testament to her actual singing talent, showcased in her “Sugar & Booze” holiday album.

Wednesday was the “Masked Singer” season 2 semi-finals as Entertainment Weekly has it, and the remaining five would be hard-pressed to bring their singing A-game when their theme is Holiday tunes. In addition, the identity clues were actually presented by each masked singer onstage, and then given to the panel.

In order, the last five contestants sang thus: Fox with Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas,” Rottweiler with “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, Thingamajig covering Bing Crosby’s “Winter Wonderland,” Flamingo performing Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah,” and Leopard with the unusual choice of “Big Spender” by Shirley Bassey. Following the sets, panelist Robin Thicke predicted that the double-eliminated singers would be Rottweiler and Thingamajig.

The latter was indeed voted out, unmasked as NBA player Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers, who has also demonstrated some great vocal chords online with his YouTube channel. The second to lose the mask however is Leopard, with the surprise reveal that he was British singer Seal, who might be recalled for hits like “Fly Like an Eagle” as featured in 1996’s “Space Jam.”

Now the final three anonymous crooners left to vie for the championship are Rottweiler, Flamingo and Fox. They will go head to head to head in the 2-hour finale for “The Masked Singer” season 2 on Fox, this December 18. Already teases for the upcoming third season have been circulating, including a costume for “Banana.”

Image courtesy of Entertainment Tonight