‘The Masked Singer’ Season 8 Premiere Reveals Id of Two Legends

SPOILER ALERT: Don’t learn forward you probably have not watched the Season 8 season premiere, half one, of “The Masked Singer,” which aired Sept. 21 on Fox.

Two legends exited “The Masked Singer” in week 1 of the present’s Season 8 — and each have loads to say about it. “Monty Python” star Eric Idle, eradicated because the Hedgehog, shared that he just lately survived pancreatic most cancers, and he has partnered with Stand As much as Most cancers to assist unfold the phrase on most cancers analysis.

After which there’s 91-year-old William Shatner, who didn’t final lengthy because the Knight, however after a tough expertise attempting to sing in that costume, he’s more than pleased to speak as a substitute in regards to the multitude of different initiatives he’s bought going proper now.

“I labored very onerous on the syncopation on the attractive lyric and all,” stated Shatner, who carried out “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” “After which placing on that costume, I couldn’t transfer my legs, they had been leaden. I couldn’t see the place the dancers had been, and I couldn’t hear the music. All the pieces went out the window the second I put the wardrobe on.

“So all that work of studying that tune… none of it mattered as a result of all of it went to hell in that bloody wardrobe,” he added. “If I needed to do it over once more, I might nonetheless select that tune. However I might select a unique wardrobe, a ballet costume. Simply tights and ballet slippers are all I would like.”

Shatner nonetheless was his cheeky self on the present — which even slipped a reference to host Nick Cannon’s child making abilities into Shatner’s voice over. “I can’t imagine it’s taken me eight seasons to be on ‘the Masked Singer.’ I used to be holding out for the internet hosting gig, however Nick retains having infants, so I assume he isn’t going anyplace.” Zing!

Shatner stated he actually agreed to “Masked Singer” with a view to promote new episodes of his Historical past Channel present “The UnXplained,” which returns Oct. 7; his new e book “Boldly Go”; his new autobiographical documentary with Legion M; the discharge on audio and video of his Kennedy Middle efficiency from April 2022 with The Nationwide Symphony Orchestra and Ben Folds; his new space-themed watch with Egard Watches; and the launch of William Shatner NFTs.

“I’m busy and I would like you to know that,” Shatner stated.

As for Idle, he determined to sing “Love Me Do” by the Beatles. And sure, he has connections with the songwriter.

“It’s beautiful, and it’s bought a pleasant message,” Idle stated. “So I requested a buddy of mine at Apple as a result of the Beatles are onerous to get permission from. And he stated, why don’t you ask Paul instantly? As a result of it’s not a Beatles copyright. It’s his personal copyright as a result of he wrote it when he was 16. Which is pretty wonderful.

“And so I did. I wrote to [McCartney] and he was very, very candy and wrote again instantly and stated ‘sure, it’s possible you’ll do it.’  In fact and he stated, ‘However I solely need one factor: I would like you to inform me when it airs, so I can make sure to miss it!”

Idle stated taking part in the Hedgehog and being disguised all week “was a really Zen expertise. It by no means didn’t make me giggle.”

However the true cause he did it was to see if he nonetheless may carry out, after surviving pancreatic most cancers. “It is a superb alternative to see should you can nonetheless do that: Sing and dance in entrance of an viewers and be foolish,” he stated. “I’ve just lately survived pancreatic most cancers, which makes me one of many very fortunate individuals in life. I didn’t inform anyone, clearly, however they had been very useful they usually helped me get via it. And it went okay. I loved it. And it was an exquisite expertise.

“I assumed this can be a good alternative to say thanks to all of the medical doctors who saved my life at Cedars,” he added. “I made a partnership with Stand As much as Most cancers which is an enormous group. And we began the ‘Vibrant Facet’ fund, ‘At all times Look on the Vibrant Facet’ being my tune. And to see if we will increase cash and push it particularly in the direction of analysis and early testing for this. We’ve bought a bit of excellent information on the most cancers entrance. Nicely, I’m the excellent news. That’s pretty much as good because it will get, isn’t it.”

Idle and Shatner had been the primary two celebrities to depart “The Masked Singer,” however a 3rd — the “Hummingbird” — received’t be revealed till subsequent week. Fox and “The Masked Singer” have been teasing within the lead-up to Season 8 that NFL celebrity Tom Brady is on the present this outing, they usually’ll proceed to exploit it till subsequent week that Brady could also be unmasked subsequent Wednesday.

The Knight was maybe probably the most unmistakable voice within the historical past of “The Masked Singer,” as Shatner is maybe one of the well-known voices on the planet. (He advised to producers that he sing in a excessive falsetto with a view to disguise his voice, however they nixed that concept.) And but for the Knight,  solely Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg bought it proper with Shatner. Nicole Scherzinger went with John Lithgow. Robin Thicke picked “Bizarre Al” Yankovic. Ken Jeong thought it was David Hasselhoff.

Hedgehog was Eric Idle, and Thicke bought it proper. McCarthy Wahlberg determined to go together with one other member of Monty Python: John Cleese. Scherzinger thought it was Invoice Nighy. Jeong named Elton John — seemingly as a joke.

A number of eliminations in a single episode? That would be the norm going ahead, as “The Masked Singer” adopts a brand new “King or Queen of Masked Singer” format. This season, three or 4 costumed celebrities will carry out every week, however just one will win and transfer on to compete towards two or three extra individuals the next week.

In future weeks, one contestant can be unmasked halfway via the episode, with the highest two singers dealing with off in a “battle royale.”

That can proceed all through the season; in week one, it was the Harp — who clearly was the one one of many 4 with critical singing chops — who strikes ahead. After every spherical, three finalists will compete within the semi-finals.

“The Masked Singer” enters Season 8 with costumes together with “Bride,” “Avocado,” “Venus Fly Entice,” “Sir Bugaboo,” “Scarecrow,” “Hedgehog,” “Mummies.” Themed episodes embrace “Vegas Night time,” “Comedy Roast,” “Corridor Of Fame,” “Muppets Night time,” “Andrew Lloyd Webber Night time,” “TV Themes,” “’90s Night time,” “Thanksgiving” and “Fright Night time.” Visitors this season embrace Donny Osmond, Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Muppets, Will Arnett, Leslie Jordan, Joel McHale, Tori Spelling, Jon Lovitz, Jodie Sweetin, Carrot Prime, Blue Man Group, Lance Bass, Danielle Fishel, Sheila E. and Drew Carey.

The Season 8 contestants “boast a mixed 32 Grammy nominations, 16 Emmy wins, 8 gold albums, 4 Golden Globe nominations, 42 books, 10 Teen Alternative awards, and 5 stars on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame.”  

Right here had been the contestants and their performances on evening one:

Harp (WEEK 1 WINNER)

Track: “Excellent,” by Pink

Weak point: Gamers

Clue: Luxurious Automotive Fan

Clue Query: What accomplishment are you most happy with? “I feel possibly the award I received for my appearing. No, really the one I received for my singing. No, it’s in all probability the one for my comedy as a result of I bought to share that with my besties.”

Package deal voiceover: “I can’t imagine I’m right here on premiere evening. However I’ll let you know, life has a humorous method of placing you the place it is advisable be. After I was a young person, I auditioned for the most important present on the planet. It was my dream. However I didn’t match the mould and was turned down. I used to be devastated. However I knew I needed to maintain going. It was my uniqueness that later gave me the chance of a lifetime. And have become an idol for anybody who felt like an outsider. The no’s in my life made me very stronger. However I’m not taking no for a solution tonight.”

Panel guesses: Queen Latifah, Jordin Sparks, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson

Hedgehog  (ERIC IDLE)

Track: “Love Me Do,” by the Beatles

Energy: Trying sharp

Clue: Fixed optimist

Clue Query: Which award means probably the most to you? “I received a Tony and a Grammy.”

Package deal voiceover: “It’s so particular to be right here tonight however this isn’t my first premiere. Some say the present is mad. That is in all probability one of many extra regular issues I’ve ever performed. Let’s simply say I’ve been bare in Playboy. I’m part of one of the well-known teams of all time. We’ve bought out the Hollywood Bowl, the Sydney Opera Home and I’ve even been part of the Olympics. I not solely have a cult following but in addition a celeb following. Bradley Cooper, Jimmy Fallon, Kate Beckinsdale, Tina Fey, Elon Musk, they’re all followers. I’m going to sing you slightly tune and provide you with an enormous chuckle, simply as I did that one time with the Queen. Cheers to Season 8.”

Panel guesses: Ringo Starr, Eric Idle, Invoice Nighy

Hummingbird (TBD)

Track: “I Don’t Wish to Be,” by Gavin DeGraw

Dislikes: Slender hallways

Clue: Lives in concord

Clue Query: What in your golden trophy room do you cherish probably the most? “My particular awards which might be out of this world. They’re not precisely golden, they’re silver. However that doesn’t imply second place.”

Package deal voiceover: “I’m excited for the kickoff of Season 8 as a result of I promise you, this hummingbird is aware of a factor or two about competitors. It’s in my DNA. I bought my begin with the assistance of Shaq and fashioned a patriotic group that felt like household. Collectively we dominated the Tremendous Bowl. My profession has been a revelation. However I’m solely human, and I’m so nervous to step on that stage tonight. However right here we go, I assume it’s all or nothing.”

Panel guesses: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Deon Sanders, Rob Thomas, Chad Kroeger

Knight (WILLIAM SHATNER)

Track: “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” by Fred Astaire

Weak point: Rust

Clue: Area cadet

Clue Query: What do you cherish extra, the large awards or the small ones? “I like all of the awards. The large ones. The small ones. I’ve a teeny one from my native nation, I embedded it in my chest.”

Package deal voiceover: “I can’t imagine it’s taken me eight seasons to be on ‘the Masked Singer.’ I used to be holding out for the internet hosting gig, however Nick retains having infants, so I assume he isn’t going anyplace. Now, I’m imagined to record off why I’m so well-known. Stuff like I’m Shakespearian educated, that I’m on a number of walks of fame. That I’ve performed stage, TV, starred in films and labored with George Lucas. Even launched albums. I’ve performed a very good deal however there’s some issues I’ve by no means performed. I’ve by no means thrown a chair on nationwide tv. It was two chairs. What can I say I’m a passionate man. I’ve by no means bought a physique half for revenue. It was a charitable donation. And I’ve by no means matted a golden goose whereas singing showtunes. However there’s a primary time for all the pieces.”

Panel guesses: David Hasselhoff, William Shatner, Jerry Springer, Bizarre Al Yankovic