THE MASKED SINGER on the ‘Wild’ New Twist, Guest Host Niecy Nash

THE MASKED SINGER is back for its fifth season on Wednesday, March 10, with two major changes.

First, is the “Wildcard” where a surprise addition to each group sings with the chance to knock another singer out of the competition.

But with the audience used to “their” group of contestants–and getting to hear them display a variety of songs throughout the weeks—how will these newbies connect in the same way?

“You find out from the story packages and from the clue packages who they are  a little bit of who they are,” executive producer Craig Plestis told reporters during the show’s virtual TCA day. “Obviously, we can’t tell you who they are. But it just adds freshness to the whole show, and it just grooms a whole new life to the series. So, we are really excited by it. And I think, honestly, the viewer is going to connect with some of them, and it’s really just an amazing format.”

“And I think some of the wild cards have some the most moving stories,” added panelist Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg. “So, you’ll be surprised when you see it. You might think that they come too late in the game, but they really don’t.”

But arguably the biggest change is that Niecy Nash is stepping in to host the show as Nick Cannon recovered from COVID-19.

While the team declined to say exactly how long Nash will serve as the show’s emcee, executive producer James Breen noted, “Nick rejoins towards the second half of the season…And I did want to say, actually, we got incredibly lucky there, because Niecy just stepped in—it was pretty last minute—and immediately had her own chemistry with the panel…She was just a producer’s dream, absolutely fantastic.”

“I have never felt so welcomed,” Nash said. “It’s not like we all started together…I just walked in the door, and every single person supported me and was so kind. And the producers, I have to take my hats off to you, because they gave me such a beautiful surprise: I recently [got] married, and they surprised everybody, not just me, but I love my surprise–they gave me a beautiful video message from my new wife, and I wanted to cry my fake eyelashes off, but I couldn’t because we were filming. But, man, I was sad to go. I really was.”
But for Nash, who had been a panelist on the show in the past, not getting to play the guessing game took a bit of time getting used to.

“It was way different hosting because I wanted my own guesses,” Nash admitted. “I wanted to look to my left or right and say, ‘Now, which one do you think it sounds like?” But you can’t because you are up there trying to lead the charge, lead the circus. However, every time I had a free moment, I was somewhere trying to figure out the clues and take in the clue package. So, I loved it because I still felt like a viewer at home even though I was hosting.”

THE MASKED SINGER, Season Premiere, Wednesday, March 10, 8/7c, Fox

RELATED:

• THE MASKED SINGER Adds ‘Wildcard’ Twist
• THE MASKED SINGER: Niecy Nash Steps in as Temporary Season 5 Host

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