Wednesday was Shower Anthems Night on The Masked Singer, as the Group C celebrity cosplayers competed for a spot in the upcoming multi-bracket quarterfinals. But even though Lizard worked himself into a lather during his unexpected tile tune, "Bring Me to Life," belting with sudsy gusto ("Lizard goes hard!" exclaimed host Nick Cannon, while judge Ken Jeong said the reptilian rocker "elevated and put his own stamp" on Evanescence's aughts hit), his hopes and dreams of winning Season 11 went down the drain. The Lizard became the season's latest washed-up eliminee.
Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg thought this scaly singer might be D'Angelo or Ray J, and Ken thought it was Bev Biv Devoe/New Edition member Michael Bivins. ("That guess is poison," Nick flat-out told Ken.) It was new judge Rita Ora, a huge SisQó admirer, along with judge Robin Thicke and Nick, who recognized the Unleash the Dragon star's voice early on.
"You can't fool nobody! We knew that was you!" Nick hollered, noticing that Rita was "fangirling out" when none other than SisQó removed his reptile head to reveal the iconic peroxide-blond crop-cut underneath.
Rita in fact had a very exciting Wednesday. This Group C finale episode was supposed to feature a double-elimination, but after Clock and Poodle Moth went head-to-glittery-head on a Battle Royale of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," it was ultimately decided that the competition was big enough for the both of them, and there was ain't no way this season's fuzzy fan favorite was going home.
Poodle Moth, the loser of this sing-off by a very slim margin, was actually about to de-mask, when the studio audience started vociferously booing her elimination and shouting that she be saved. So, Rita rang that Ding Dong Keep It on Bell, thus advancing the crooning cuddlebug to the next round.
Jenny had wondered if it might too soon to toll the Bell — it can only be used once during all three group final rounds, and the Group A and B brackets have yet to compete — but Rita simply explained to Poodle Moth, "We could not watch you leave. We fell in love."
So, now that the Clock and Poodle Moth have escaped elimination, who are they? This is my last chance to solidify my guesses before they eventually join the surviving singers from Group A (who'll compete next week on Transformers Night) and Group B in Season 11's quarterfinals. And I think I'm more than a quarter right this time. Read on.
The Clock, "Respect"
Put some R.E.S.P.E.C.T. on the Clock's name! This was the stanky tour de force of a true legend. "That performance was so funky, it ain't had a shower in months," joked Robin, who raved that Clock "brought the house down."
The clues: She was up for one of her industry's most prestigious awards, but because didn't think she had a chance of beating out frontrunning nominees Aretha Franklin and Natalie Cole, she stayed home cleaning... only to win and deliver her acceptance speech, alone in her kitchen, to her mop. She once "had the whole world dancing from dusk till dawn," but after music fads changed, she "reinvented" herself and achieved "massive success again" on her own terms. Her marriages "didn't work out," but they resulted in two "beautiful children." She's a had a "lot of hits" and "loves a curtain call." She has "performed for a president" and has a "day in her name." And she knows Nick somehow. Visual clues have included a gold record, golden globe, "WAKE UP" clock, T-shirt with a "SWEET" iron-on, disco ball, baby doll, map of the Mississippi River, piggy bank, and car motor (possibly a Detroit/Motown reference).
Judges' guesses: Tina Knowles, Sheila E., Debbie Allen, Deniece Williams, Janet Jackson (no, Ken!), and Diana Ross (also no!).
My guess: I won't leave you this way, hanging in suspense. There is no doubt in my mind now that this is Thelma Houston. Thelma is a Mississippi native, a former Motown signing, a mother of two, and a disco diva who became a TV star. She has performed at the Golden Globes. Jan. 24 is Thelma Houston Day in the City of West Hollywood. She has songs called "Sweet Love That I've Found" and "Wake Up Everybody," and more than one song with "Baby" in the title. She performed at Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration as part of the Out for Equality Ball. And if all that wasn't enough, her signature song "Don't Leave Me This Way" won the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Grammy — over Aretha and Natalie — in 1978, but she skipped the ceremony and stayed home scrubbing her kitchen floor. I've clocked this one!
Poodle Moth, "The House That Built Me"
This warm 'n' fuzzy performance was not as big, brash, or booming as the Clock's, but Poodle Moth's tender, mournful performance seemed to stop time. "You have one of the biggest hearts on this whole show. It was adorable, and also so moving," Rita gushed to her.
The clues: Music has "always been her therapy." She once worked with Robin's dad, the late Alan Thicke, which was one of the biggest highlights of her career. Her family childhood home was "full of tumultuous memories" and "so much sadness within these walls," and when her father abandoned her, he left "a whole in her heart that can never be filled." It "hasn't always been easy" for her to "put herself out there," because she once thought she wasn't "funny, pretty, or talented enough to be a star," so she worked behind the scenes to make "other people's dreams come true." But eventually she was discovered and even made it to the Grand Old Opry. Visual clues have included palm trees, the number three, comedy/tragedy theater masks, a book with an American flag on its cover, a cowboy hat, and various light references (a lighthouse, fireflies, paper lanterns, lampposts, candles). We also know she has a "special connection to Gilmore Girls that hits very close to home."
Judges' guesses: Sharon Stone, Brooke Shields, Shania Twain, and Mandy Moore.
My guess: OK, I am confidently switching my guess from Wynonna Judd to a This Is Us star — but not to Mandy Moore. This is actress and country singer Chrissy Metz. Chrissy has been open about her struggles with self-acceptance, body image, and her toxic, dysfunctional family. She gave up on acting for four years before she got her big break, and during that hiatus she worked as a Hollywood agent. She has penned an autobiography and a children's book. She has performed at the Opry. Her This Is Us co-star Milo Ventimiglia was on Gilmore Girls. And the biggest tipoff? One of Alan Thicke's final performances was on the pilot of This Is Us. This is her!
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