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A tree falls: Latest 'Masked Singer' castoff is 'Saturday Night Live' veteran
‘Tis the season, but not for The Masked Singer’s most Christmassy contestant — the majestic, Cousin It-like pile of Lisa Frank rainbow tinsel known as the Tree — who, on an especially Scroogey bonus episode, went home in sixth place this Tuesday. But this show could be the gift that keeps on giving, because the Tree turned out to be Saturday Night Live alumna Ana Gasteyer. So, now that Ana is off on her merry way, she’s free to form a Destiny’s Child/Gemini’s Twin supergroup with Michelle “The Butterfly” Williams, who went home last week.
Some viewers might’ve been surprised by Gasteyer’s vocal prowess — she was one of Season 2’s best belters, handling advanced anthems like Panic! At the Disco’s “High Hopes” and Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” with ease, to the point where she even outlasted the legendary Patti LaFrickinBelle by two whole weeks. And this Tuesday’s cover of Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory” was pretty glorious too. But anyone familiar with Ana’s school-recital SNL skits with Will Ferrell or her new holiday album, Sugar & Booze, wouldn’t be shocked.
I do admit that I guessed this one wrong at first. Clues about baking, soup, and Christmas threw me off, leading me to speculate that the Tree was Hallmark Channel movie regular Candace Cameron Bure (who has her own line of cookware) or superstar chef Rachael Ray. The judges actually once thought the Tree was Zooey Deschanel or Martha Stewart. (And I am sure, at one point, Ken Jeong guessed Bjork — even though he was actually in A Christmas Story with Ana!) But eventually it became crystal-Christmas-clear that this was “Delicious Dish” comedienne Gasteyer, a former Weight Watchers spokeswoman who got her first big acting break in the “Soup Nazi” episode of Seinfeld. How delicious and dishy it feels to finally be right! And I must say, it was a totally schweddy-ballsy move on Ana’s part to appear on this zany show. (And I totally want wear her sparkly Tree outfit to all my holiday parties this month. Here is some copycat fashion inspo.)
Anyway, if Gasteyer had competed on The Masked Singer Season 1, she likely would’ve made it to the finale. But this season boasts a much more talented crop of actually legitimate vocalists (no dead-weight novelty castings like Tommy “The Pineapple” Chong or Antonio “The Hippo” Brown this time around). Tuesday marked the first time this season that all of the surviving contestants competed on the same episode, and the stakes were high. I still predict the final three — to be revealed on Wednesday’s double-elimination semifinals episode — will be the Rottweiler, Flamingo, and Fox. But it ain’t over till the phat Leopard sings. Let’s assess the five cosplaying mystery celebrities still in the running for the Golden Mask trophy.
The Fox, “Blame It”
OK, how meta would it be for Jamie Foxx to cover his own smash single with T-Pain… with Season 1 Masked Singer winner T-Pain himself, who was a guest judge tonight, looking on? This was either a genius move to keep all of America guessing, or I’ve been guessing wrong for the past few weeks.
Judges’ guesses: Jamie Foxx, Lenny Kravitz, Wayne Brady.
My guess: I’ve been thinking Foxx is the Fox… but this performance, which didn’t sound like Jamie’s hit recorded version, has me switching back to Wayne.
The Leopard, “We Are Young”
This wasn’t the spotty one’s most fun performance, despite the fact that he was covering the band fun. I missed a bit of his pomp and camp and circumstances. But it was a solid vocal, especially from someone with a voice so much deeper and huskier than Nate Ruess’s.
Judges’ guesses: Eric Benét, Billy Porter, Seal, Enrique Iglesias.
My guess: I’m sticking with Seal, since this week was full of tennis clues, and Seal is a tennis fan.
Thingamajig, “Ordinary People”
The sexy furry continued to give his crush, judge Nicole Scherzinger, the warm-‘n’-fuzzies with this sweet, swoon-worthy serenade. And he once again mentioned that he is from Maryland.
Judges’ guesses: Markelle Fultz, Montell Jordan,
My guess: This sounded so much like John Legend, if I didn’t have weeks of clues to look back on, I would say it’s… John Legend. T-Pain thought it was “John Legend on stilts.” But I am still convinced that it’s Maryland’s own Victor Oladipo. And I still hope when Victor and Nicole inevitably get married, they have a Masked Singer theme wedding with bridesmaids in Poodle dresses and groomsmen in Skeleton tuxedos.
The Flamingo, “Go Your Own Way”
The Flamingo totally took flight in this airline-themed, fleet-footed Fleetwood Mac performance. The pink powerhouse’s chances of making it to next week’s finale look rosy indeed.
Judges’ guesses: Lisa Bonet, Adrienne Bailon, Hilary Duff, Fantasia Barrino.
My guess: You guy, it’s Adrienne. All clues of the past weeks add up, and I will not entertain any other possibility. However, I will entertain the possibility that she might win next week.
The Rottweiler, “Someone You Loved”
This “Zen dog” and platinum-selling recording artist meditates regularly, is an American Idol-level singer... and sounds exactly like Chris Daughtry.
Judges’ guesses: Jared Leto, Darren Criss.
My guess: You guys, it’s Chris Daughtry. And he’s making it to the finale this time.
Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
Remembering ‘Puttin’ on the Hits,’ the most bonkers TV talent show of all time
The Butterfly effect: Ex-girl group star meets her destiny on 'The Masked Singer'
'The Flower' wilts on most shocking 'Masked Singer' episode yet
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