SPOILER ALERT: Don’t read ahead if you haven’t seen “The Masked Singer” season 8, episode 10, “Battle of the Semi-Finals,” which aired Nov. 24 on Fox.
Two episodes in one week? “The Masked Singer” returned on Thanksgiving Night for its semi-finals (and what seemed to be another subtle jab at host Nick Cannon’s baby making skills, through a chyron suggesting that he sits at the table of the children).
The Thanksgiving-themed episode saw comedian Nikki Glaser unmasked as Snowstorm, leaving two finalists – Harp and Lambs – for next week’s finale.
Glaser was unmasked after facing Harp and Lambs in a three-way Battle Royale (where all three took turns singing the song “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson).
For Snowstorm, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg got it right with Nikki Glaser. Robin Thicke thought it was Whitney Cummings. Nicole Scherzinger chose Iliza Schlesigner. Ken Jeong drove Kristen Wiig.
Nikki Glaser as Snowstorm joins Ray Parker, Jr., as Sir Bugaboo, Linda Blair as Scarecrow, Chris Jericho as Bride, Adam Corolla as Avocado, George Foreman as Venus Flytrap, George Clinton as Gopher, Joey Lawrence as the Walrus, Le’ Veon Bell as the Milkshake, Kat Graham as Robo Girl, Jerry Springer as Beetle, Gloria Gaynor as Mermaid, Mario Cantone as Maise, Daymond John as the Fortune Teller, Barry Williams/Christopher Knight/Mike Lookinland as the Mummies, Montell Jordan as Panther , Jeff Dunham as Pi-Rat, Chris Kirkpatrick as the Hummingbird, Eric Idle as the Hedgehog and William Shatner as the Knight as the celebrities revealed in “The Masked Singer” in season 8.
This season, “The Masked Singer” has adopted a new “King or Queen of Masked Singer” format. That meant that three or four costumed celebrities performed each week, but only one moved on the following week to compete against two or three more people.
That led to the semi-finals, where the Harp survived round 1 and is the first to advance to the semi-finals, while Lambs won round 2 and also entered the semis, with Snowstorm winning round 3.
“The Masked Singer” Season 8 featured costumes including “Bride,” “Avocado,” “Venus Fly Trap,” “Sir Bugaboo,” “Scarecrow,” “Hedgehog,” “Mummies.” Theme episodes included “Vegas Night”, “Comedy Roast”, “Hall of Fame”, “Muppets Night”, “Andrew Lloyd Webber Night”, “TV Themes”, “’90s Night”, “Thanksgiving” and “Fright Night .” Guests this season included Donny Osmond, Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Muppets, Will Arnett, Leslie Jordan, Joel McHale, Tori Spelling, Jon Lovitz, Jodie Sweetin, Carrot Top, Blue Man Group, Lance Bass, Danielle Fishel, Sheila E. and Drew Carey.
The Season 8 contestants “have a combined 32 Grammy nominations, 16 Emmy wins, 8 Gold Albums, 4 Golden Globe nominations, 42 books, 10 Teen Choice Awards, and 5 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” according to Fox.
Here were the contestants and their performances on night nine:
Snowstorm, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Becker / Fox) Pete Dadds
Snowstorm (Nikki Glaser)
Song: “Thinking of You,” by Katy Perry
Previous songs: “Thank U, Next,” by Ariana Grande, “Sweet But Psycho,” by Ava Max
Clue: “Shocked.” (Bob Saget) “Squiggly monster was a dear friend of mine who is no longer with us and it feels weird to cry with this voice. But he was the reason I did this show because his experience was so rewarding was and I’m so glad he was able to have it before he died. My performances have been for him whether he wanted it or not.”
Voice over package: “Since I was a little girl, I always dreamed of being a pop star. When I was in high school, I took voice lessons. And one day in high school, my mom said she got a call from my teacher, saying, ‘I’m sorry, but your daughter doesn’t have it.’ That was the day my dream died. That’s why I’m thankful I’m still on this show. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to express myself in a way I never thought I would be able to artistically. And I hope that I get to the finals next week and I can continue to be an inspiration to every child of adults who don’t think they have it. Because I promise you, you will. You just have to unmask it. If my voice teacher is watching, don’t change the channel. Because proving you wrong once has kept me going all these years. This one is for you, dream killer!
Panel guesses: Whitney Cummings, Nikki Glaser, Kristen Wiig
Previous panel guesses: Erika Jayne, Countess Luann, Kyle Richards, Lisa Rinna, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Kathryn Hahn, Heather Graham, Zooey Deschanel, Iliza Schlesinger, Aubrey Plaza, Whitney Cummings
Harp, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Becker / Fox) Pete Dadds
Harp (advance to next week’s final)
Song: “About Damn Time,” by Lizzo
Previous songs: “Perfect,” by Pink; “I Got Nothing,” by Whitney Houston; “Thank You for Being a Friend” (“The Golden Girls” theme song)
Hint: Oprah Winfrey “When I met Oprah for the first time, I brought my mother with me and was going to introduce her, but before I did she said hello and already knew her name. You know you’ve made it when Oprah knows your name and your mother’s name.
Voice over package: “I’m really excited to reach the semi-finals and I really want to win. I’m so grateful to be here because I’ve always been a fan of the show. Me and my family and friends watch it all the time, and it’s been very hard not to say anything. Now my sisters don’t know, my father doesn’t know, my friends don’t know. My husband doesn’t know. He thinks I’m filming a movie. My mom is the only person I’ve told. My mom and I are very similar. She was a singer just like me, she is like my rock. If I had a handful of people who believed in me like my mom believes in me, I know I could soar so far. That woman thinks I can do anything. I want to win this for her. Thank you mom for being such a great example in my life and my best friend.
Panel guesses: Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Fantasia, Amber Riley
Previous panel guesses: Amber Riley, Ashanti, Yvette Nicole Brown, Queen Latifah, Jordin Sparks, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott, Fantasia, Ariana DeBose
Lambs, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Becker / Fox) Pete Dadds
Lambs (advance to next week’s final)
Song: “Need You Now,” by Lady A
Previous songs: “Hot N Cold,” by Katy Perry; “Ironic,” by Alanis Morissette
Hint: “Reunion.” “I never thought that we would ever sing together again on a stage. But I never gave up on the three of us getting back together. It is unthinkable for us not to sing together again for the rest of our lives.”
Voice over package: “On this Thanksgiving, there is nothing we are more grateful for than each other. And that’s what we always knew, even when we were young girls. We were young ladies when we hit it big. And although we were grateful, we were burnt out that we started having problems. And it was just very sad. We knew that going our separate ways was the best decision at that time. It was a good thing for us. It gives your real perspective and a break. And you can find yourself again. When we got back together, it was like no time had passed. And that bundle is what we take in the semi-finals. We have other prizes in our lives won, but it’s been a very, very long time. And we’re ready for another win. We’re just going to fight over who’s going to win the trophy.”
Panel guesses: All Saints, Spice Girls, Wilson Phillips
Previous panel guesses: The Kardashians, Haim, The Chicks, The Corrs, Fifth Harmony, SWV