SPOILER ALERT: Key highlights from Season 13, Episode 5 of “The Masked Singer,” titled “Ghostbusters Night,” which aired on March 12 on Fox.
When something peculiar arises in your neighborhood, who do you call? Certainly not 911, because as the wise Flava Flav once said, “911 is a Joke.” This notable figure was the latest celebrity to be unveiled this past Wednesday on Fox’s sensational music competition series “The Masked Singer.” Flav was revealed as the Area Ranger during the exciting “Ghostbusters” themed episode, captivating fans with his unique style and flair.
So get ready to dance! Flavor Flav was eliminated for his performance of The Bus Boys’ “Cleanin’ Up the City.” Flav shared with Variety that participating in “The Masked Singer” was a dream come true for him, even if his time on the show was cut short. He expressed a desire to create memorable moments and entertain viewers with his captivating personality.
“I enjoy surprising and deceiving people,” he remarked. “I love being the center of attention. After watching my episode last night, I was ecstatic. I went absolutely crazy because, honestly, I’m my biggest fan. I really love myself! I had a blast participating in the show, and it was everything I hoped for.”
“The Masked Singer” made it clear that it was Flav, with host Nick Cannon quickly recognizing him and enthusiastically sharing with the panelists that Area Ranger was one of his all-time favorite personalities. The excitement in the studio was palpable as fans anticipated the unmasking.
By the end of the episode, the panelists deduced correctly for the most part regarding Area Ranger’s identity. Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, and Rita Ora guessed Flavor Flav, while Ken Jeong humorously suggested DJ Jazzy Jeff. The playful banter among the panelists added to the episode’s entertainment value.
In his initial clue package, Flav’s hints included the letters “P.E.” (a nod to Public Enemy) and references to “the hardware that I wear around my neck.” The Area Ranger costume featured a clock reminiscent of those Flav sports around his neck. “All you need to do is take these clues and match them to my voice,” he said. “Even a caveman could figure it out! They did me dirty on that, but it’s all good. When it comes to Flavor Flav, and my last name is Drayton, if you have me on your show, you’re guaranteed a high rating!”
Flav performed “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift in his first week and “Cleanin’ Up the City” (from the “Ghostbusters” soundtrack) in week two. “I possess one of the most distinctive voices in the history of rap music,” Flav stated confidently. “My voice is as unique as that of James Earl Jones or Samuel L. Jackson.”
Flav expressed disappointment at his early exit from the competition. “I wanted to stay longer and perform a few more songs,” he lamented. “One thing about me is I love being on TV. I thrive in that environment. They didn’t give me enough screen time, which made me quite sad when they revealed my identity after my second song.”
Flavor Flav, as the Area Ranger, joins a lineup of recently unmasked celebrities on “The Masked Singer” Season 13, including Sheana Shay as Bat, Aubrey O’Day as Ant, Oscar de la Hoya as Fuzzy Peas, and Cedric the Entertainer as Honey Pot.
The “Ghostbusters Night” episode kicked off with a special appearance by Ernie Hudson, a star from the original film franchise, who was dressed in his iconic “Ghostbusters” uniform. The night focused on the four remaining contestants from Group B, as Group A winners Coral and Paparazzo had already advanced to the next round, raising the stakes for the remaining contestants.
Returning for Season 13 are host Nick Cannon and panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Rita Ora, and Robin Thicke. Rita Ora has been a consistent presence at the table for a third consecutive season, stepping in for Nicole Scherzinger, who has been missed by fans.
This season introduces a mysterious new character called “Detective Lucky Duck,” who will appear throughout the episodes to provide clues and aid the panelists in “quacking” the case of who is hiding behind the masks. Detective Lucky Duck made his debut appearance in this episode, adding an exciting twist to the format.
Also new this season are the “Crack the Case” clue boxes, which provide additional insights about eliminated contestants. Area Ranger’s clue box included sunglasses. “When you shine as bright as I do, sometimes you need to go incognito,” he remarked. “Plus, I look pretty fly in them anyway.”
The themed episodes of “The Masked Singer” Season 13 will pay tribute to beloved franchises like “Shrek” and “Ghostbusters,” along with a special celebration for the Grand Ole Opry as it marks its 100th anniversary. Other exciting themes include a homage to the Rat Pack, “Voices of Olympus: Unmasking of the Gods,” “Carnival,” “Boy Bands,” “Decades,” “Lucky 6 Speed Guessing,” a “War of the Masks,” and the return of “Soundtrack of My Life.”
Contestants for Season 13 include Honey Pot, Area Ranger, Cherry Blossom, Coral, Fuzzy Peas, Ant, Paparazzo, Griffin, Boogie Woogie, Pearl, and Bat, with more surprises to be revealed as the season progresses.
Here are the standout performances from Wednesday’s Episode 5, “Ghostbusters Night”:
Pearl, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Becker/Fox)
Spotlight on Pearl’s Performance
Song Choice: “(Don’t Worry) The Reaper,” by Blue Oyster Cult
Panel Speculations: Joan Jett, Madonna, Melissa Etheridge
Ghostbusters Clue: “Best Seller.” “I’m a bit of a ghostwriter myself. I know how to put pen to paper.”
Bat’s Voiceover Insight: “Everyone’s got a few skeletons in their closet, a few ghost stories, and I’m no exception. As a young Pearl, I was trapped in a tiny tide pool off the side of a highway nobody’s ever heard of. My home life was rocky, to say the least, so I drifted away before I even hit high school. I found myself as a child tending bar in a hopeless place, serving up drinks with a double barrel at the ready, just in case the clientele got rowdy. I couldn’t wait to escape. I dreamed about it every day. Until one day, I decided to swim into new waters, launching myself almost by accident into a tidal wave of success. Looking back, it’s funny. I value all I learned from that tide pool. It taught me that if you work hard, show up, and keep fighting, you can achieve anything. Nowadays, I fear nothing, especially no ghosts.”
Previous Performance: “Saving All My Love For You,” by Whitney Houston
Earlier Panel Guesses: Regina King, Shania Twain, Joan Jett
Griffin, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Becker/Fox)
Dive into Griffin’s Performance
Song Choice: “Disturbia,” by Rihanna
Panel Speculations: Freddie Prinze Jr., Jason Segel, Robert Pattinson
Ghostbusters Clue: From McKenna Grace: “Not only is he an unbelievable performer, but he’s an even better person. He’s like a dad on set. I’d know this because I’ve co-starred with him.” Griffin responded, “McKenna’s incredible; she’s had an amazing career. One of my kids thinks I’m very cool because I once worked with her.”
Griffin’s Voiceover Reflection: “Making it to Ghostbusters night feels like freaky destiny. I played that soundtrack on repeat as a child. Growing up, I loved to sing. Believe it or not, there was nothing I loved more than Broadway. I was a total theater geek, collecting Playbills long before it was trendy. The kids my age didn’t understand. They showed no mercy, teasing me relentlessly. Dark thoughts crept into my mind, so I hid that part of myself. I built a fort with a record player, where I’d sing my heart out. That’s where that Ghostbusters soundtrack came in. Being here has allowed me to tap back into that passion I was too embarrassed to show as a child. It’s liberating to spread my wings. So tonight, here’s a dark pop anthem for all you kids being called freaks or geeks. Welcome to the club.”
Previous Performance: “Rewrite the Stars,” by Zac Efron and Zendaya
Earlier Panel Guesses: Matthew Lillard, Freddie Prinze Jr., David Arquette
Area Ranger, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Becker/Fox)
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