The Masked Singer
Season 9
Promotional poster for season nine, featuring "Doll", "Axolotl", "Moose", and "French Hen"
Starring
Hosted byNick Cannon
No. of contestants21
WinnerBishop Briggs as "Medusa"
Runner-upDavid Archuleta as "Macaw"
No. of episodes14
Release
Original networkFox
Original releaseFebruary 15 (2023-02-15) –
May 17, 2023 (2023-05-17)
Season chronology

The ninth season of the American television series The Masked Singer premiered on Fox on February 15, 2023, and concluded on May 17, 2023. The season was won by singer Bishop Briggs as "Medusa", with singer David Archuleta finishing second as "Macaw".

Panelists and host

Season 9 panelists and host
Robin Thicke
Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg
Ken Jeong
Nicole Scherzinger
Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon, singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, television and radio personality Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, actor and comedian Ken Jeong, and recording artist Nicole Scherzinger all return as host and panelists.[1]

The second episode included Nick Viall and Shangela as additional guests, the third episode included Luann de Lesseps and Theresa Caputo as additional guests, the fourth episode included Helen Mirren, Zachary Levi, and Jim Lee as additional guests with Jennifer Nettles appearing in a post-credit gag, the fifth episode featured Nettles as a guest panelist, with Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, Grover, Count von Count, Abby Cadabby, and Elmo's puppy Tango as additional guests, the sixth episode included Bill Engvall, Robert Woods, and Deana Carter as additional guests, the seventh episode included Young MC, Donnie Wahlberg (who portrayed "Cluedle-Doo" during the fifth season), Erik Estrada, and Charlene Tilton as additional guests,[2] and the ninth episode included Daphne Zuniga and Mike Massimino as additional guests.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin appeared as a guest in the fifth episode along with his younger brother, Damir. The episode was filmed in January 2023, a few weeks after his cardiac arrest medical incident.[3]

Production

The season is formatted similar to its predecessor, featuring three contestants in each episode, with one eliminated mid-show and taken to the VIP section and the other two battling it out in a Battle Royale. A champion is crowned at the end of each episode who then moves on to the following episode, with the other singer in the top two unmasking. However, it also introduces a gimmick known as the "Ding Dong Keep It On" bell, which allows a panelist to save a singer from elimination.[4] The bell can only be used once per group.[5] There was a special episode where those saved by the "Ding Dong Keep It On" bell compete for a second chance to stay in the competition.

The season also features the return of themed nights, a gimmick introduced in the previous season.[6] The season includes themes such as "Opening Night", "ABBA", "New York", "DC Superhero", "Sesame Street", "80s Night", "Country", "Movie Night", "Space", and “British Invasion”.[7][8][5]

The twelfth episode of the season ended with a dedication for TV host Jerry Springer who died on April 27, 2023.[9] Springer portrayed "Beetle" in the previous season.[10]

Contestants

The contestants in this season are reported to have a combined 95,231,000 records sold, 28 Emmy nominations, 26 books, 10 gold albums, six Grammy wins, five lifetime achievement awards, five medals, four Golden Globe nominations, four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and two Tony Award nominations.[11][12]

One mask, "French Hen", was revealed in promotional material prior to the airing of the season,[6][13] but did not participate in the season. Although nothing has been officially revealed about the celebrity participant, Variety has reported that a celebrity exited the season after testing positive for COVID-19,[14] which ultimately led to Debbie Gibson's participation.[15][16]

Results
Stage name Celebrity Occupation(s) Episodes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14
Round 1 Round 2 Round 3
Medusa Bishop Briggs Singer WIN WIN KEPT[lower-alpha 1] WIN SAFE SAFE WINNER
Macaw David Archuleta Singer WIN SAFE SAFE RUNNER-UP
California Roll Pentatonix Acapella group WIN SAFE OUT
UFO Olivia Culpo Model/internet personality WIN OUT
Gargoyle Keenan Allen NFL player KEPT[lower-alpha 2] OUT
Mantis Lou Diamond Phillips Actor KEPT[lower-alpha 3] OUT
Lamp Melissa Joan Hart Actor OUT
Dandelion Alicia Witt Actor/singer WIN OUT
Doll Dee Snider Singer WIN OUT
Scorpio Christine Quinn TV personality OUT
Moose George Wendt Actor/comedian OUT
Fairy Holly Robinson Peete Actor/singer WIN OUT
Axolotl Alexa Bliss Professional wrestler OUT
Jackalope Lele Pons Internet personality OUT
Squirrel Malin Akerman Actor WIN OUT
Wolf Michael Bolton[lower-alpha 4] Singer OUT
Polar Bear Grandmaster Flash DJ/rapper OUT
Night Owl Debbie Gibson Singer OUT
Rock Lobster Howie Mandel Comedian/TV personality OUT
Mustang Sara Evans Singer OUT
Gnome Dick Van Dyke Actor/comedian OUT
  •  WIN  The masked singer won with their performance and advanced in the competition.
  •  KEPT  The masked singer was saved from elimination by a panelist using the "Ding Dong Keep It On" bell.
  •  SAFE  The masked singer was safe from elimination.
  •  OUT  The masked singer was eliminated from the competition and unmasked upon their elimination.
  •   The masked singer did not perform.
The celebrities who competed in the ninth season of The Masked Singer, pictured in order of elimination (L–R):
Dick Van Dyke ("Gnome"), Sara Evans ("Mustang"), Howie Mandel ("Rock Lobster"), Debbie Gibson ("Night Owl"), Grandmaster Flash ("Polar Bear"), Michael Bolton ("Wolf"), Malin Akerman ("Squirrel"), Lele Pons ("Jackalope"), Alexa Bliss ("Axolotl"), Holly Robinson Peete ("Fairy"), George Wendt ("Moose"), Christine Quinn ("Scorpio"), Dee Snider ("Doll"), Alicia Witt ("Dandelion"), Melissa Joan Hart ("Lamp"), Lou Diamond Phillips ("Mantis"), Keenan Allen ("Gargoyle"), Olivia Culpo ("UFO"), Pentatonix ("California Roll"), David Archuleta ("Macaw"), and Bishop Briggs ("Medusa")

Episodes

Week 1 (February 15)

Performances on the first episode
#Stage nameSongIdentityResult
1 Mustang "Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake undisclosed SAFE
2 Gnome "When You're Smiling" by Billie Holiday Dick Van Dyke OUT
3 Medusa "Happier Than Ever" by Billie Eilish undisclosed SAFE
Battle Royale
4 Mustang "Diamonds" by Rihanna Sara Evans OUT
Medusa undisclosed WIN

Week 2 (February 22) - "ABBA Night"

Performances on the second episode
#Stage nameABBA songIdentityResult
1 Medusa "Dancing Queen" undisclosed SAFE
2 Night Owl "Fernando" undisclosed SAFE
3 Rock Lobster "SOS" Howie Mandel OUT
Battle Royale
4 Medusa "The Winner Takes It All" undisclosed WIN
Night Owl Debbie Gibson OUT

Week 3 (March 1) - "New York Night"

Guest performance: Panelist Robin Thicke performs "Living in New York City"

Performances on the third episode
#Stage nameSongIdentityResult
1 Medusa "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra undisclosed SAFE
2 Polar Bear "Rapture" by Blondie Grandmaster Flash OUT
3 California Roll "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga undisclosed SAFE
Battle Royale
4 Medusa "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel undisclosed KEPT[lower-alpha 1]
California Roll undisclosed WIN
  • After being unmasked, Grandmaster Flash scratched along to "Good Times" by Chic as his encore performance.

Week 4 (March 8) - "DC Superheroes Night"

Guest performance: Panelist Nicole Scherzinger performs "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler

Performances on the fourth episode
#Stage nameSongIdentityResult
1 Gargoyle "One Call Away" by Charlie Puth undisclosed SAFE
2 Wolf "Break On Through" by The Doors Michael Bolton OUT
3 Squirrel "Try" by P!nk undisclosed SAFE
Battle Royale
4 Gargoyle "Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down undisclosed KEPT[lower-alpha 2]
Squirrel undisclosed WIN

Week 5 (March 15) - "Sesame Street Night"

Guest performance: Sesame Street characters[lower-alpha 5] perform "Dynamite" by BTS

Performances on the fifth episode
#Stage nameSongIdentityResult
1 Squirrel "Just the Two of Us" by Grover Washington, Jr. feat. Bill Withers Malin Akerman OUT
2 Fairy "You're No Good" by Linda Ronstadt undisclosed SAFE
3 Jackalope "Whenever, Wherever" by Shakira undisclosed SAFE
Battle Royale
4 Jackalope "On Top of the World" by Imagine Dragons Lele Pons OUT
Fairy undisclosed WIN

Week 6 (March 22) - "Country Night"

Performances on the sixth episode
#Stage nameSongIdentityResult
1 Fairy "Angel from Montgomery" by Bonnie Raitt undisclosed SAFE
2 Axolotl "Can't Fight the Moonlight" by LeAnn Rimes Alexa Bliss OUT
3 Macaw "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw undisclosed SAFE
Battle Royale
4 Fairy "That Don't Impress Me Much" by Shania Twain Holly Robinson Peete OUT
Macaw undisclosed WIN

Week 7 (March 29) - "'80s Night"

Guest performance: Young MC performs "Bust a Move"

Performances on the seventh episode
#Stage nameSongIdentityResult
1 Doll "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds undisclosed SAFE
2 Scorpio "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper undisclosed SAFE
3 Moose "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis & the News George Wendt OUT
Battle Royale
4 Scorpio "Hungry Like the Wolf" by Duran Duran Christine Quinn OUT
Doll undisclosed WIN

Week 8 (April 5) - "WB Movie Night"

Performances on the eighth episode
#Stage nameSongIdentityResult
1 Doll "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley (from Elvis) Dee Snider OUT
2 Dandelion "Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland (from The Wizard of Oz) undisclosed SAFE
3 Mantis "Old Time Rock and Roll" by Bob Seger (from Risky Business) undisclosed SAFE
Battle Royale
4 Dandelion "(I've Got A) Golden Ticket" by Jack Albertson & Peter Ostrum
(from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory)		 undisclosed WIN
Mantis undisclosed KEPT[lower-alpha 3]
  • After being unmasked, Snider performed an acapella version of his signature song "We're Not Gonna Take It" as his encore performance.

Week 9 (April 12) - "Masked Singer In Space"

Performances on the ninth episode
#Stage nameSongIdentityResult
1 Dandelion "Starlight" by Muse Alicia Witt OUT
2 Lamp "Venus" by Bananarama undisclosed SAFE
3 UFO "Yellow" by Coldplay undisclosed SAFE
Battle Royale
4 Lamp "Rocket Man" by Elton John Melissa Joan Hart OUT
UFO undisclosed WIN

Week 10 (April 19) - "Supreme Six"

Performances on the tenth episode
#Stage nameSong
1 California Roll "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler
2 Macaw "Photograph" by Ed Sheeran
3 UFO "Stargazing" by Kygo

Week 11 (April 26) - "Battle of the Saved"

Performances on the eleventh episode
#Stage nameSongIdentityResult
1 Medusa "Mercy" by Shawn Mendes undisclosed SAFE
2 Gargoyle "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" by Usher ft. Pitbull undisclosed SAFE
3 Mantis "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks Lou Diamond Phillips OUT
Battle Royale
4 Gargoyle "Centuries" by Fall Out Boy Keenan Allen OUT
Medusa undisclosed WIN

Week 12 (May 3) - "Quarter Finals" (British Invasion Night)

Performances on the twelfth episode
#Stage nameSongIdentityResult
1 Macaw "Your Song" by Elton John undisclosed SAFE
2 California Roll "Creep" by Radiohead undisclosed SAFE
3 UFO "Tears Dry on Their Own" by Amy Winehouse Olivia Culpo OUT
4 Medusa "Someone Like You" by Adele undisclosed SAFE

Week 13 (May 10) - "Semi-Finals"

Performances on the thirteenth episode
#Stage nameSongIdentityResult
1 California Roll "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson Pentatonix OUT
2 Medusa "Take Me to Church" by Hozier undisclosed SAFE
3 Macaw "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction undisclosed SAFE
Battle Royale "Runaway Baby" by Bruno Mars

Week 14 (May 17) - "Finale"

Performances on the fourteenth episode
#Stage nameSongIdentityResult
1 Macaw "Hold Back the River" by James Bay David Archuleta RUNNER-UP
"All by Myself" by Eric Carmen
2 Medusa "Elastic Heart" by Sia Bishop Briggs WINNER
"Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance
  • After being unmasked, Briggs sang her signature song "River" as her encore performance.

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of The Masked Singer
No. Title Air dateRating/share
(18–49)		Viewers
(millions)		Ref.
1 "Season 9 Premiere" February 15, 20230.6/63.71[17]
2 "ABBA Night" February 22, 20230.6/63.83[18]
3 "New York Night" March 1, 20230.6/53.68[19]
4 "DC Superheroes Night" March 8, 20230.7/64.02[20]
5 "Sesame Street Night" March 15, 20230.7/64.01[21]
6 "Country Night" March 22, 20230.5/53.68[22]
7 "'80s Night" March 29, 20230.7/63.91[23]
8 "WB Movie Night" April 5, 20230.6/63.69[24]
9 "Masked Singer in Space" April 12, 20230.5/53.78[25]
10 "Supreme Six" April 19, 20230.5/53.45[26]
11 "Battle of the Saved" April 26, 20230.5/53.40[27]
12 "Quarter Finals" May 3, 20230.5/53.41[28]
13 "Semi-Finals" May 10, 20230.5/53.54[29]
14 "Finale" May 17, 20230.6/53.73[30]

Notes

  1. 1 2 While in the middle of their unmasking, panelist Nicole Scherzinger used the "Ding Dong Keep It On" bell to save Medusa from elimination, allowing the portrayer to keep their mask on and continue in the competition.
  2. 1 2 While in the middle of their unmasking, panelist Jenny McCarthy used the "Ding Dong Keep It On" bell to save Gargoyle from elimination, allowing the portrayer to keep their mask on and continue in the competition.
  3. 1 2 While in the middle of their unmasking, panelist Robin Thicke used the "Ding Dong Keep It On" bell to save Mantis from elimination, allowing the portrayer to keep their mask on and continue in the competition.
  4. ↑ Bolton previously appeared in the sixth season as a special guest.
  5. ↑ Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Grover, Abby Cadabby, and Count von Count

References

  1. ↑ Lorianne Palinkas (January 12, 2023). "The Masked Singer Season 9 Premiere Date Announced". Screen Rant. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  2. ↑ Michael Schneider (March 22, 2023). "The Masked Singer Upcoming Guests Include Deana Carter, Bill Engvall, Erik Estrada (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  3. ↑ Brandon Livesay (March 15, 2023). "Damar Hamlin Surprises His Little Brother on The Masked Singer Just Weeks After Cardiac Arrest". People. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  4. ↑ "(MS-901) "Season 9 Premiere"" (Press release). Fox. Retrieved February 3, 2023 – via The Futon Critic.
  5. 1 2 Lauren Huff (February 6, 2023). "The Masked Singer season 9 reveals new costumes, themes, and big elimination twist". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  6. 1 2 "The Masked Singer Is Back with Season Nine, Premiering Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8/7c on FOX!" (Press release). Fox. January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023 – via The Futon Critic.
  7. ↑ Lorianne Palinkas (January 20, 2023). "The Masked Singer Season 9 Theme Nights Revealed". Screen Rant. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  8. ↑ Gina Wurtz (February 1, 2023). "Damar Hamlin Appears At Masked Singer Season 9 Taping". Screen Rant. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  9. ↑ Carmel Dagan (April 27, 2023). "Jerry Springer, Host of Rowdy and Controversial Daytime Talk Show, Dies at 79". Variety. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  10. ↑ Ree Hines (May 4, 2023). "The Masked Singer Pays Tribute To Beloved 'Beetle' Jerry Springer". Forbes. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  11. ↑ Jennifer Maas (February 10, 2023). "Masked Singer Super Bowl Promo Teases Most 'Legendary' Unmasking Ever — Plus, See Three New Season 9 Costumes (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  12. ↑ "(MS-902) "ABBA Night"" (Press release). Fox. Retrieved February 10, 2023 – via The Futon Critic.
  13. ↑ Reality Club FOX [@RealityClubFOX] (January 17, 2023). "#TheMaskedSinger IS. BACK. FEBRUARY 15th. I'm not crying, you're crying. 🤩 👏" (Tweet). Retrieved April 6, 2023 – via Twitter.
  14. ↑ Michael Schneider (February 22, 2023). "The Masked Singer Reveals Identities of Rock Lobster and Night Owl: Here's Who They Are". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  15. ↑ Lauren Huff (February 22, 2023). "The Masked Singer's Night Owl reveals which famous friend she's calling first after her elimination". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  16. ↑ Mick Joest (February 26, 2023). "The Masked Singer's Debbie Gibson Reveals Just How Wild It Was Joining The Show With Less Than 24 Hours Notice". CinemaBlend. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  17. ↑ Mitch Salem (February 16, 2023). "Wednesday 2.15.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  18. ↑ Mitch Metcalf (February 23, 2023). "Wednesday 2.22.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  19. ↑ Mitch Salem (March 2, 2023). "Wednesday 3.1.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  20. ↑ Mitch Metcalf (March 9, 2023). "Wednesday 3.8.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  21. ↑ Mitch Salem (March 16, 2023). "Wednesday 3.15.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  22. ↑ Mitch Metcalf (March 23, 2023). "Wednesday 3.22.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  23. ↑ Mitch Salem (March 30, 2023). "Wednesday 3.29.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  24. ↑ Mitch Salem (April 6, 2023). "Wednesday 4.5.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  25. ↑ Mitch Metcalf (April 13, 2023). "Wednesday 4.12.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  26. ↑ Mitch Salem (April 20, 2023). "Wednesday 4.19.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  27. ↑ Mitch Metcalf (April 27, 2023). "Wednesday 4.26.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  28. ↑ Mitch Salem (May 4, 2023). "Wednesday 5.3.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  29. ↑ Mitch Metcalf (May 11, 2023). "Wednesday 5.10.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  30. ↑ Mitch Salem (May 18, 2023). "Wednesday 5.17.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
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