The Masked Singer (Australian TV series)

The Masked Singer Australia is an Australian reality television singing competition show hosted that premiered on Network 10 on 23 September 2019. Hosted by Osher Günsberg,[1] the show is based on the international music game show franchise Masked Singer which originated from the South Korean television program King of Mask Singer. The show is filmed at Disney Studios Australia, formerly called Fox Studios Australia. In February 2023, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a fifth season,[2] which premiered in September 2023.[3] During the 2023 upfronts the series had been renewed for a sixth season[4].

For the current season, see The Masked Singer (Australian season 5).

The Masked Singer
Also known asThe Masked Singer Australia
Genre
Based on
Written by
Directed byPeter Ots
Creative directors
  • David Kurt
  • Chris Edmunds
  • Antony Ginandjar
  • Ashley Evans
Presented byOsher Günsberg
Starring
Opening theme"Who Are You" by The Who
ComposerDorian West
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes51
Production
Executive producers
  • Sean Kneale
  • Janine Cooper
  • Cathie Scott
  • Stephen Tate
  • Shaun Murphy
  • Tamara Simoneau
Producers
  • Dan Sheldon
  • Rowan McGillicuddy
  • Ben Jenkins
  • Gavin Jarrett
  • Daniel Colless
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time45–50 minutes
Production companyWarner Bros. International Television
Release
Original networkNetwork 10
Original release23 September 2019 (2019-09-23) –
present

Production

In March 2019, TV Blackbox shared leaked news that Network 10 would be producing a local series of the franchise.[5] The news was officially announced in May 2019 at the network's upfronts.[6] In June 2019, it was revealed that Osher Gunsberg would be the host of the series.[1] On 15 July 2019, it was revealed that American actress Lindsay Lohan would join the show as a panellist. Australian singer Dannii Minogue, comedian Dave Hughes and radio presenter Jackie O were also announced alongside Lohan.[7][8]

At the network's upfronts in October 2019, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a second season.[9][10] In April 2020, it was reported that the COVID-19 pandemic would force pre-production of the second season to be delayed so filming was postponed from late July to early August 2020. Lindsay Lohan was also unable to fly to Melbourne to take part in the program[11] and was replaced by new panellist, comedian Urzila Carlson.[12][13]

In October 2020, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a third season, which premiered on 13 September 2021.[14][15]

On 20 October 2021, it was announced that the series would return with a new season that aired in 2022, with Jackie O, Minogue, and Carlson all not returning.[16] Mel B, Abbie Chatfield, and Chrissie Swan joined the panel as their replacements.

In February 2023, Swan announced that the show would be returning for a fifth season, and aired later in 2023.[17][18]

The show was renewed for a sixth season during Channel 10's Upfronts Event.

Security
The words "don't talk to me!" in capitalized white text on a black background
The front of the oversized sweatshirts celebrities wear on set while offstage to prevent their voices from being heard.[19]

The show has an 'extreme security protocol' in effect both during and after filming to protect the celebrity's identities from leaking, with host Günsberg stating that the show "was beyond any kind of security I've been exposed to."[20] Everyone involved in the show signed a non-disclosure agreement which prevented anyone from revealing any information about the shooting dates, costumes or identities of the masks episode until its broadcast. The celebrities who appear on the show are only allowed to inform their spouse about their participation, who must also sign one.[19][21]

In order to keep the identities of the masks secret, audience members and the majority of the production staff were not allowed to watch the unmasking and were removed from the studio moments before the celebrities are revealed, with Günsberg revealing that there were "only 8 people in the room when it [the unmasking] happened."[22]

Audience members had to place their phones in a special magnetic locked pouch when they were on set and were frequently swept throughout filming by security, which included former ASIO officials, for any devices and hidden cameras to ensure the masks' identities were kept secret.[20][23]

Costumes

The costumes are designed and created by Australian Academy Award and BAFTA Award-Winning costume designer Tim Chappel, best known for his work on The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert with Lizzy Gardiner.[24][25]

Cast

Panellists and host
Dave Hughes
Chrissie Swan
Mel B
Osher Gunsberg

Following the announcement of the series, it was confirmed by Network 10 that the judging panel would consist of international actress and singer Lindsay Lohan, radio personality Jackie O, singer-songwriter Dannii Minogue and comedian Dave Hughes.[8] It was also confirmed that Osher Günsberg would host the show.[26]

On 7 July 2020, it was revealed that Lohan would be unable to return to the judging panel in the second season, as she could not travel from Dubai to Melbourne because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of travel restrictions.[27] She was replaced for season two by new panellist, comedian Urzila Carlson (due to her travelling back to USA).[12][13]

On 4 May 2022, it was announced on The Kyle and Jackie O Show that Carlson would be leaving the show to focus on her comedy tour, with the possibility of Lohan returning after a two-season absence.[28] On 21 May, Minogue announced her departure from the show after three seasons, due to clashing commitments filming a new gay-dating show in the UK, I Kissed a Boy.[29] On 4 June, Jackie O announced she would also depart from the show.[30] On 9 June, Channel 10 announced that the three new panellists joining Dave Hughes for the fourth season would be television and radio presenter Chrissie Swan, television personality and radio host Abbie Chatfield and international singer Mel B.

Cast timeline
Cast Member Seasons
1
(2019)		 2
(2020)		 3
(2021)		 4
(2022)		 5
(2023)		 6
(2024)
Panel
Dannii Minogue Main Does not appear
Jackie O Main Does not appear
Dave Hughes Main
Lindsay Lohan Main Does not appear
Nazeem Hussain Guest Does not appear
Luke McGregor Guest Does not appear
Urzila Carlson Does not appear Main Does not appear
Chrissie Swan Does not appear Main
Abbie Chatfield Does not appear Main
Mel B Does not appear Main
Host
Osher Günsberg Main

Season overview
Series overview
SeriesContestantsEpisodesOriginally airedWinnerRunner-upThird place
First airedLast aired
1121023 September 2019 (2019-09-23)21 October 2019 (2019-10-21)Cody Simpson
as "Robot"		Rob Mills
as "Wolf"		Gorgi Coghlan
as "Monster"
2121110 August 2020 (2020-08-10)14 September 2020 (2020-09-14)Bonnie Anderson
as "Bushranger"		Kate Miller-Heidke
as "Queen"		Eddie Perfect
as "Frillneck"
3121113 September 2021 (2021-09-13)5 October 2021 (2021-10-05)Anastacia
as "Vampire"		Em Rusciano
as "Dolly"		Axle Whitehead
as "Mullet"
412117 August 2022 (2022-08-07)28 August 2022 (2022-08-28)Melody Thornton
as "Mirrorball"		Sheldon Riley
as "Snapdragon"		Hugh Sheridan
as "Rooster"
513TBA11 September 2023 (2023-09-11)TBATBATBATBA

Awards and nominations
Year Award CategoryNominee(s) ResultRef.
2019 9th AACTA Awards Best Entertainment Program The Masked Singer Nominated [31][32]
Best Costume Design in Television Tim Chappel Nominated [33]
2020 10th AACTA Awards Nominated [34]
2021 11th AACTA Awards Best Entertainment Program The Masked Singer Nominated [35]
2022 62nd Logie Awards Most Popular Entertainment Program Nominated [36]
Most Oustanding Entertainment or Comedy Program Nominated [36]
2023 63rd Logie Awards Gold Logie for Most Popular Television Personality Osher Günsberg Nominated [37]
Most Outstanding Entertainment Program The Masked Singer Nominated [38]

Controversy

In October 2019, American band Halocene claimed that the program had stolen "note for note, beat for beat" their arrangement of "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish, which the Lion (Kate Ceberano) sang during the third episode.[39][40][41] The rock trio had released the cover on their YouTube channel, which also included original melodies from an unreleased original song.[40][41] The band threatened legal action and set up a GoFundMe page, receiving support from their fans.[40][41]

See also

References
  1. Knox, David (1 July 2019). "Osher Günsberg to host The Masked Singer". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  2. "10 returning The Masked Singer for 2023". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  3. Knox, David (28 August 2023). "Returning: The Masked Singer". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  4. https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/10/2024-upfronts-10-paramount.html
  5. Perry, Kevin (9 March 2019). "Channel 10 secures America's hottest new reality format THE MASKED SINGER". TV Blackbox. Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  6. Spencer, Ashley (26 May 2019). "Catfish, The Masked Singer and More New Australian TV Shows Announced". E! News. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  7. Maloon, Natacha (15 July 2019). "Lindsay Lohan to become a judge on Australia's version of The Masked Singer". 9Honey. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  8. Whitehead, Mat (15 July 2019). "Lindsay Lohan Is Heading Down Under To Join The Masked Singer Australia Panel". 10 daily. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  9. Knox, David (24 July 2020). "Returning: The Masked Singer, The Bachelor". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  10. Morgan, Michaela (10 October 2019). "MasterChefs, Masked Singers And More: All The New Shows Coming To 10 In 2020 You'll Want To Binge". 10 daily. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  11. Wells, Santi (11 April 2020). "Lindsay Lohan returns to Pop music as The Masked Singer filming is delayed". Hollywood Treatment. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  12. "The first unmasking. Urzila Carlson is ready to play detective" (Press release). ViacomCBS ANZ. 16 July 2020. Archived from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  13. Knox, David (16 July 2020). "Urzila Carlson joins Masked Singer panel". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  14. Knox, David (15 October 2020). "Upfronts 2021: 10". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  15. "You Masked For It!" (Press release). ViacomCBS ANZ. 31 August 2021. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  16. "Everything To Look Forward To In 2022 On Network 10". 10Play. 20 October 2021. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
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  19. Bath, Gemma (30 September 2019). "Abrupt "don't talk to me" signs and hidden camera sweeps: The crazy security on The Masked Singer". Mamamia. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  20. Knox, David (19 September 2019). "'We had to protect how we shot the final moments, yes.'". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  21. Lallo, Michael (29 September 2019). "It's TV's silliest show but its extreme security measures are no joke". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  22. Bucklow, Andrew (25 September 2019). "The Masked Singer Australia: Osher Gunsberg reveals the truth about the celebrity reveals". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  23. Woolford, Lisa (22 September 2019). "It's tough keeping it all under wraps for The Masked Singer panel". The Advertiser. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  24. Knox, David (28 August 2019). "Tim Chappel has designed Masked Singer costumes". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  25. Selinger-Morris, Samantha (5 August 2020). "Tim Chappel and a pink kitten are the real stars of The Masked Singer". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  26. Lynch, Jessica (30 June 2019). "Osher Günsberg is Putting Down the Roses to Host 'The Masked Singer Australia'". 10 daily. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  27. "Lindsay Lohan Out As Judge On The Masked Singer". The Daily Telegraph. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  28. "Urzila Carlson Out At Masked Singer, Lindsay Lohan Expected To Return".
  29. "Dannii Minogue Is Leaving The Masked Singer Australia".
  30. "@jackieo_official Instagram".
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  35. Knox, David (9 December 2021). "AACTA Awards 2021: Winners". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  36. Couros, Faye (19 June 2022). "The new Masked Singer panellists Abbie Chatfield, Mel B, and Chrissie Swan make their debut on the TV Week Logie Awards red carpet". Now to Love. TV Week. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  37. Cullen, Tamara (24 July 2023). "How Osher Günsberg went from being "unhireable" to a Gold Logie award nominee". Now to Love. TV Week. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  38. Burke, Tina (10 July 2023). "The full list of nominees for the 2023 TV Week Logie Awards". Now to Love. TV Week. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  39. Masley, Ed (30 October 2019). "Phoenix Band Halocene say 'The Masked Singer' Australia Stole Their Billie Eilish Cover". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  40. Fowler, Bella (31 October 2019). "The Masked Singer has been accused of stealing music from YouTube duo". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
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