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The Masked Singer
Season 9
Promotional poster for season nine, featuring "Doll", "Axolotl", "Moose", and "French Hen"
Starring	Robin Thicke Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg Ken Jeong Nicole Scherzinger
Hosted by	Nick Cannon
No. of contestants	21
Winner	Bishop Briggs as "Medusa"
Runner-up	David Archuleta as "Macaw"
No. of episodes	14
Release
Original network	Fox
Original release	February 15 (2023-02-15) – May 17, 2023 (2023-05-17)
Season chronology
← Previous Season 8Next → Season 10
List of episodes

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

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.

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, 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.

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. The bell can only be used once per group. As a result, 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. The season includes themes such as "Opening Night", "ABBA", "New York", "DC Superhero", "Sesame Street", "80s Night", "Country", "Movie Night", "Space", and “British Invasion”.

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

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.

One mask, "French Hen", was revealed in promotional material prior to the airing of the season, 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, which ultimately led to Debbie Gibson's participation.

•  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.
•   The masked singer did not perform.

Episodes

Week 1 (February 15)

• After being unmasked, Van Dyke sang "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from Mary Poppins as his encore performance.

Week 2 (February 22) - "ABBA Night"

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

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

• 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

• After being unmasked, Bolton performed his signature song "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" as his encore performance.

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

Guest performance: Sesame Street characters perform "Dynamite" by BTS

Week 6 (March 22) - "Country Night"

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

Guest performance: Young MC performs "Bust a Move"

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

• 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"

Week 10 (April 19) - "Supreme Six"

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

• After being unmasked, Phillips performed "La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens as his encore performance.

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

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

Week 14 (May 17) - "Finale"

• After being unmasked, Briggs sang her signature song "River" as her encore performance.

Ratings

Notes

1. ^ 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. ^ 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. ^ 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. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
2. Michael Schneider (March 22, 2023). "The Masked Singer Upcoming Guests Include Deana Carter, Bill Engvall, Erik Estrada (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. 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. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
4. "(MS-901) "Season 9 Premiere"" (Press release). Fox. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023 – via The Futon Critic.
5. ^ Lauren Huff (February 6, 2023). "The Masked Singer season 9 reveals new costumes, themes, and big elimination twist". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
6. ^ "The Masked Singer Is Back with Season Nine, Premiering Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8/7c on FOX!" (Press release). Fox. January 11, 2023. Archived from the original on March 19, 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. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
8. Gina Wurtz (February 1, 2023). "Damar Hamlin Appears At Masked Singer Season 9 Taping". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
9. Carmel Dagan (April 27, 2023). "Jerry Springer, Host of Rowdy and Controversial Daytime Talk Show, Dies at 79". Variety. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
10. Ree Hines (May 4, 2023). "The Masked Singer Pays Tribute To Beloved 'Beetle' Jerry Springer". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. 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. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
12. "(MS-902) "ABBA Night"" (Press release). Fox. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023 – via The Futon Critic.
13. Reality Club FOX (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. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. 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. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. 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. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
17. Mitch Salem (February 16, 2023). "Wednesday 2.15.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
18. Mitch Metcalf (February 23, 2023). "Wednesday 2.22.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
19. Mitch Salem (March 2, 2023). "Wednesday 3.1.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
20. Mitch Metcalf (March 9, 2023). "Wednesday 3.8.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
21. Mitch Salem (March 16, 2023). "Wednesday 3.15.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
22. Mitch Metcalf (March 23, 2023). "Wednesday 3.22.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
23. Mitch Salem (March 30, 2023). "Wednesday 3.29.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
24. Mitch Salem (April 6, 2023). "Wednesday 4.5.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
25. Mitch Metcalf (April 13, 2023). "Wednesday 4.12.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
26. Mitch Salem (April 20, 2023). "Wednesday 4.19.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
27. Mitch Metcalf (April 27, 2023). "Wednesday 4.26.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
28. Mitch Salem (May 4, 2023). "Wednesday 5.3.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
29. Mitch Metcalf (May 11, 2023). "Wednesday 5.10.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
30. Mitch Salem (May 18, 2023). "Wednesday 5.17.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.

• 2023 American television seasons
• The Masked Singer (American TV series)