UK & US rejig ‘Masked Singer’ with viewer engagement & panel tweaks

The Masked Singer

The format of hit singing show The Masked Singer is being tweaked on both sides of the Atlantic as it returns to production, with new viewer involvement and panel changes.

The US version, which airs on Fox, will now allow viewers to vote on what they consider to be the best performances.

Those watching will be part of a virtual audience that is able to support their favourite singers, according to US trade Deadline, with their voting preferences then combined with the views of the judging panel to decide who remains.

That panel will remain the same as the third season, with Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke and Ken Jeong onboard.

Jeong will not be part of the UK version, however, with stand-up comedian Mo Gilligan taking his place because of ongoing restrictions on global travel.

The UK show – produced by Argonon Group’s Bandicoot TV for ITV – will start filming again this autumn and is slated to air in 2021. Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Rita Ora remain in place on the panel, alongside Gilligan.

The UK government approved a return for indoor productions last week, with The Masked Singer joining other shows including ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent and the BBC’s QI with filming in front of a live audience.

Other entertainment shows are also in the works, with the BBC’s Kate Phillips recently telling TBI how the broadcaster plans to ensure production of its hit show Strictly Come Dancing.