The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 4 explained

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Host:Nick Cannon
Num Contestants:16
Winner:LeAnn Rimes as "Sun"
Runner Up:Aloe Blacc as "Mushroom"
Num Episodes:14
Network:Fox

The fourth season of the American television series The Masked Singer premiered on Fox on September 23, 2020, following a sneak peek episode that aired on September 13,[1] [2] and concluded on December 16, 2020. The season was won by singer LeAnn Rimes as "Sun", with singer Aloe Blacc finishing second as "Mushroom", and singer Nick Carter placing third as "Crocodile".

Panelists and host

Nick Cannon, singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, television and radio personality Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, actor and comedian Ken Jeong, and recording artist Nicole Scherzinger all returned for their fourth season as host and panelists.[3] [4] Following controversial statements made on his podcast, it was confirmed that Cannon would remain as host of the show, after Fox accepted his apology.[5]

Guest panelists included Joel McHale in the third and fourth episodes, season two winner Wayne Brady in the sixth episode, Niecy Nash in the seventh episode, Cheryl Hines in the eighth episode, Jay Pharoah in the ninth episode, and Craig Robinson in the tenth episode.[6]

The panelists also engaged in a competition for the Golden Ear in this season. After each masked singer performed for the first time along with an initial clue package, each panelist wrote their first impressions-based guess at the identity of the celebrity and kept in a safe until the men in black are instructed to bring it out upon a contestant's elimination. Those guesses were revealed after each celebrity was unmasked, with panelist scoring a point for each celebrity they got correct from their initial first impression, with the panelist with the most correct answers winning the Golden Ear.[7] Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg won the first Golden Ear for getting the most guesses correct.[8]

Production

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, various industry-adopted safety protocols were implemented for production (as well as a change in location from Television City to Red Studios Hollywood), which included that the tapings to have a virtual audience, and that the judging panel would be 8 feet apart from each other. Fox Alternative Entertainment president Rob Wade said that the show would still "feel very much like" past seasons, having employed "various quarantining and various camera tricks" to preserve the visible presence of a studio audience.[9] Executive producer Craig Plestis stated that a goal for season four's costumes was to "increase the bonkers level and keep the production values up". A "virtual audience" was incorporated into voting. To accommodate social distancing, many of the clue packages used animation by Bento Box Entertainment, the studio behind Bob's Burgers as opposed to live-action filming typically used for their clue packaging.[10]

Contestants

The season featured 16 contestants,[10] including "Snow Owls" wearing the first duet costume with its own vehicle,[11] the first costume to have animatronic parts ("Serpent"), and the first puppet costume ("Baby Alien"). The contestants in this season are reported to have a combined net worth over $398 million, 46 Grammy nominations, 23 platinum records, 10 Hall of Fame appearances, and one Olympic gold medal, to collectively have sold over 281 million records, appeared in over 5,475 episodes of television and 151 films, made five Super Bowl appearances, have four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, hold three world records, one Time 100 honor, and one Oscar nomination in a major category.[12] [13]

Results
Stage name[14] CelebrityOccupation(s)Episodes
1234567891012
Group AGroup BABGroup C<--Do not remove Group. It makes the heading clearer to readers the first time each group letter appears.-->ABC
SunLeAnn RimesSingerbgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=#F888FD WINbgcolor=#F888FD WINbgcolor=gold WINNER
MushroomAloe BlaccSingerSAFESAFERISKWINbgcolor=silver RUNNER-UP
CrocodileSingerSAFESAFESAFEWINbgcolor=tan THIRD
SeahorseTori KellySingerSAFESAFESAFEbgcolor=#F99185 OUTbgcolor=darkgrey
JellyfishChloe KimSnowboarderSAFESAFE WINbgcolor=#F99185 OUTbgcolor=darkgrey
PopcornTaylor DayneSingerbgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor= #F3F781 RISKbgcolor=#F99185 OUTbgcolor=darkgrey
BroccoliPaul AnkaSingerbgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
SerpentDr. Elvis FrancoisSurgeon/viral video starbgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
WhatchamacallitLonzo BallNBA playerbgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
Snow OwlsClint BlackSingerSAFEbgcolor=#FFEBCD rowspan="2" SAFEbgcolor=#FFEBCD rowspan="2" bgcolor=#FFEBCD rowspan="2" bgcolor=#FFEBCD rowspan="2" OUT
Lisa Hartman BlackActor/singer
Squiggly MonsterBob SagetComedian/TV hostbgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
LipsWendy WilliamsTalk show hostbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
Baby AlienMark SanchezRetired NFL playerbgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
GiraffeBrian Austin GreenActorbgcolor=lightgreen SAFEbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
GremlinMickey RourkeActor/boxerWD
DragonBusta RhymesRapperbgcolor=#F99185 OUT

Episodes

Week 1 (September 23)

+ Performances on the first episodeStage name Song IdentityResult
1Sun"Cuz I Love You" by Lizzobgcolor=lightgreenSAFE
2Giraffe"Let's Get It Started" by Black Eyed Peasbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
3Popcorn"What About Us" by P!nkbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
4Dragon"Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool JBusta Rhymesbgcolor=F99185 OUT
5Snow Owls"Say Something" by A Great Big WorldSAFE

Week 2 (September 30)

+ Performances on the second episodeStage name Song IdentityResult
1Crocodile"It's My Life" by Bon Jovibgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
2Baby Alien"Faith" by George Michaelbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
3Seahorse"Only Girl (In the World)" by Rihannabgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
4Whatchamacallit"I Wish" by Skee-LoSAFE
5Serpent"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimersbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
6Gremlin"Stand by Me" by Ben E. KingMickey Rourkebgcolor=F99185 OUT

Week 3 (October 7)

Guest panelist performance: "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke performed by Joel McHale as "The Robin"

+ Performances on the third episodeStage name Song IdentityResult
1Popcorn"Falling" by Harry Stylesbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
2Giraffe"Get Down on It" by Kool & the GangBrian Austin Greenbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
3Snow Owls"Like I'm Gonna Lose You" by Meghan Trainor (feat. John Legend)SAFE
4Sun"Praying" by Keshabgcolor=lightgreen SAFE

Week 4 (October 14)

+ Performances on the fourth episodeStage name Song IdentityResult
1Serpent"The Bones" by Maren Morrisbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
2Crocodile"Toxic" by Britney Spearsbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
3Baby Alien"It's Time" by Imagine DragonsMark Sanchezbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
4Whatchamacallit"Money Maker" by Ludacris (feat. Pharrell Williams)bgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
5Seahorse"My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dionbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE

Week 5 (October 28)

+ Performances on the fifth episodeStage name Song IdentityResult
1Squiggly Monster"Have You Ever Seen the Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revivalbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
2Mushroom"This Woman's Work" by Maxwellbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
3Jellyfish"Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergiebgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
4Broccoli"The House is Rockin'/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" by Stevie Ray Vaughan/Jerry Lee Lewisbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
5Lips"Native New Yorker" by OdysseyWendy Williamsbgcolor=#F99185 OUT

Week 6 (November 4)

Guest panelist performance: "Memories" by Maroon 5 performed by Wayne Brady as "Mr. TV".

+ Performances on the sixth episodeStage name Song IdentityResult
1Mushroom"If I Could Turn Back Time" by Cherbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
2Broccoli"Hello" by Lionel Richiebgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
3Squiggly Monster"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling StonesBob Sagetbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
4Jellyfish"Crazy" by Patsy Clinebgcolor=lightgreen SAFE

Week 7 (November 11)

Group performance: "Raise Your Glass" by P!nk

+ Performances on the seventh episodeStage name Song Result
1Sun"Piece of My Heart" by Janis JoplinWIN
2Snow Owls"The Prayer" by Andrea Bocelli & Celine DionRISK
3Popcorn"Domino" by Jessie JRISK
SmackdownIdentity Result
1Snow Owls"Because You Loved Me" by Celine DionClint BlackOUT
Lisa Hartman Black
2Popcorn"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adamsbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE

Week 8 (November 18)

+ Performances on the eighth episodeStage name Song IdentityResult
1Seahorse"...Baby One More Time" by Britney Spearsbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
2Crocodile"Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewisbgcolor=lightgreen SAFE
3Whatchamacallit"Lean Back" by Terror Squad ft. Fat Joe & Remy MaLonzo Ballbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
4Serpent"Cool" by Jonas BrothersDr. Elvis Francoisbgcolor=#F99185 OUT

Week 9 (November 26)

Group performance: "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5

+ Performances on the ninth episodeStage name Song Result
1Jellyfish"Don't Start Now" by Dua LipaWIN
2Mushroom"Unconditionally" by Katy PerryRISK
3Broccoli"Old Time Rock & Roll" by Bob SegerRISK
SmackdownIdentity Result
1Broccoli"Take Me Down" by AlabamaPaul Ankabgcolor=#F99185 OUT
2Mushroom"A Song for You" by Donny Hathawaybgcolor=lightgreen SAFE

Week 10 (December 2)

Group performance: "Take On Me" by A-ha

Guest panelist performance: "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor performed by Craig Robinson

+ Performances on the tenth episodeGroup Stage name Song IdentityResult
1BSeahorse"That's What I Like" by Bruno MarsTori Kellybgcolor=#F99185 OUT
2Crocodile"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by AerosmithWIN
3CMushroom"Valerie" by Amy WinehouseWIN
4Jellyfish"Stay" by Rihanna ft. Mikky EkkoChloe Kimbgcolor=#F99185 OUT
5APopcorn"Better Be Good to Me" by Tina TurnerTaylor Daynebgcolor=#F99185 OUT
6Sun"When the Party's Over" by Billie EilishWIN

Week 11 (December 16) – Finale

Group performance: "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love

+ Performances on the final episodeStage name Song IdentityResult
1Crocodile"Open Arms" by JourneyNick Carterbgcolor=tanTHIRD PLACE
2Mushroom"I Wish" by Stevie Wonderbgcolor=silver RUNNER-UP
3Sun"The Story" by Brandi CarlileLeAnn Rimesbgcolor=gold WINNER

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Masked Singer Sets Season 4 Premiere Date, Reveals Costumes. TVLine. Kimberly Roots. August 26, 2020. September 25, 2023.
  2. Web site: Fox Adds I Can See Your Voice To Fall Schedule To Create Ken Jeong Block As MasterChef Junior Pushed. Deadline Hollywood. Peter White. August 26, 2020. August 26, 2020.
  3. Web site: Everything we know about The Masked Singer season 4 so far. Entertainment Weekly. Lauren Huff. September 21, 2020. October 2, 2020.
  4. Web site: The Masked Singer Season 4: Here's Everything We Know – So Far. TheWrap. Jennifer Maas. September 11, 2020. September 11, 2020.
  5. Web site: Nick Cannon Apologizes for Anti-Semitic Comments; Fox Stands Behind The Masked Singer Host. Variety. Michael Schneider. July 15, 2020. October 2, 2020.
  6. Web site: Masked Singer Reveals Extra Panelists, Thanksgiving Special and Triple Elimination Episode (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Michael Schneider. November 9, 2020. November 10, 2020.
  7. Web site: The Masked Singer premiere recap: Busta Rhymes' Dragon fire is extinguished in premiere. USA Today. Erin Jensen. September 23, 2020. September 25, 2020.
  8. Web site: Which Masked Singer Judge Won the Golden Ear Trophy?. TheWrap. Jennifer Maas. December 16, 2020. December 17, 2020.
  9. Web site: The Masked Singer: Fox's Rob Wade On How The Mystery Singing Competition Got Back On Stage. Deadline Hollywood. Peter White. September 21, 2020. September 21, 2020.
  10. Web site: The Masked Singer Pulled Off Its Pandemic Season With Animation, Fan Voting and a Baby Alien. TheWrap. Jennifer Maas. September 21, 2020. September 23, 2020.
  11. Web site: The Masked Singer to Include First-Ever Two-Headed Duet Costume This Season. Variety. Michael Schneider. September 8, 2020. September 8, 2020.
  12. Web site: The Masked Singer season 4 first characters and premiere date revealed. Lauren Huff. Entertainment Weekly. August 26, 2020. August 26, 2020.
  13. Web site: The Masked Singer Premiere Reveals the Identity of the Dragon: Here's the Star Under the Mask. Variety. Michael Schneider. September 23, 2020. October 2, 2020.
  14. Web site: All The Masked Singer season 4 costumes, including first-ever 2-headed duet. Entertainment Weekly. Lauren Huff. September 14, 2020. September 23, 2020.