Wednesday was Soundtrack of My Life Night on The Masked Singer Season 11, and up until this point, it looked like two beloved vocalists who provided the soundtrack of many Fox viewers' lives two decades ago would beet the odds and win the whole show — accomplishing what American Idol alumni and previous Masked Singer contestants Chris Daughtry, Katharine McPhee, Todrick Hall, Tori Kelly, and David Archuleta could not.
Yes, it was obvious from the very moment that the Beets opened their mouths that they were Season 2 Idol's winner and runner-up, the iconic Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. (The judges guessed Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman and Wanyá Morris, K-Ci & JoJo, Josh Groban and Brian McKnight, Dan + Shay, and even CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse, so they obviously weren't among the 38.1 viewers who tuned in for the epic Ruben/Clay Idol in finale in 2003.)
Even though these colorful crooners were dressed as purple root vegetables, it could not have been more obvious who they were if Ruben had been wearing a Velvet Teddy Bear costume.
Tonight, when the two "best of friends" who once had "40 million eyes" on them -— that Season 2 finale still ranks as the most-watched episode in Idol history, by the way — triumphantly belted Whitney Houston's "One Moment in Time" amid of an electrical pyro storm, it felt like another big finale production. They were going back to their Fox roots, so to speak. Ruben seemed destined to rack up another reality victory... and finally, Clay was going to win something!
But this one moment in time was sadly fleeting. Incredibly, the Idols went home after losing their smackdown of "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" to the Gumball — before even advancing to next week's Masked Singer quarterfinals.
Making matters worse, Wednesday was a double-elimination night, so the star of multiple movies with iconic soundtracks was also eliminated after rapping his personal theme song, Run-D.M.C.'s "It's Tricky." The Seal — not to be confused with the recording artist named Seal, who was the Leopard on The Masked Singer in 2019 - turned out to be Lost Boys/Goonies/Rock 'n' Roll High School Forever/Dream a Little Dream actor Corey Feldman.
I'd been dreaming a little dream that Corey would compete on The Masked Singer ever since Season 1, when everyone thought he was the Peacock, and I'm actually shocked it took him so long to sign up. I'm just disappointed that his Masked Singer run only lasted two episodes.
But Corey apparently went on the show to debunk long-running "misconceptions" that he's a "wild child," and after playing a cuddly marine mammal ("one of the most charming characters we've ever had" according to judge Robin Thicke), he definitely accomplished his Masked mission — even if one of his key clues was a story about a wild house party attended by judge Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg. (Jenny of course guessed Corey's identity correctly.)
So, now we know that the Gumball, who theatrically belted Kansas's "Carry on Wayward Son" this week, will move on to compete against the Clock, Poodle Moth, and Goldfish. But who is this sticky-and-sweet singer? I've chewed on all the clues... and I believe it's actor Scott Porter.
There have been several superhero and spider clues, and Scott has voiced superhero characters, including some in the Spider-Man franchise. Various heart and Southern clues are references to Scott's role in Hart of Dixie. We know Gumball has worked with Channing Tatum, and Scott co-starred with Channing in 10 Years. We also know the pre-fame Gumball did "anything and everything to get an audience," including beatboxing on the street, performing at theme parks, and competing in a talent contest — and Scott once beatboxed in an a cappella group, worked at Orlando amusement parks before he was famous, and appeared on Star Search. But the biggest tipoff was a sad story about how Gumball's wife was "diagnosed with a disease that will impact her later in life," and Scott's wife of 11 years recently tested positive for the Huntington's Disease gene, meaning that she will eventually face the effects of that incurable disease. Scott and his wife have therefore vowed to live every day to its fullest, which apparently includes going on a crazy bubblegum show like this one.
Tune in next week, when the Gumball competes against the Clock (definitely Thelma Houston), Poodle Moth (probably Chrissy Metz), and Goldfish (Vanessa Hudgens) in the quarterfinals. Thelma seemed like the one to beat, but after this week's surprise beet-ing, anything is possible.
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