Masked Singer’s success is thanks to this one crucial element
A show about former celebrities belting out tunes in elaborate costumes seemed shouldn’t be a smash hit, but to everyone’s surprise it really is. And now we know why.
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When Kate Ceberano was finally de-headed on The Masked Singer, it was no surprise to anyone with ears (aside from Lindsay Lohan, probably).
What was surprising was Ceberano’s comments following her reveal as to why she felt motivated to take part in the show — healthy pay cheques aside.
“This is a show of great virtue,” Ceberano said. “Although it’s really wacky, being in a suit you are without colour, age, size, gender — it’s completely erasing what you are, you’re just free.”
And indeed, she has a point. These days celebrities hoping to land a spot on prime-time reality TV have to be prepared to swallow elephant testicles, strip naked, learn to dance, survive on a remote island or lose dramatic amounts of weight.
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These days, the talent you’re famous for can get you onto a celebrity reality show, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll then actually have an opportunity to highlight that talent while you’re there. Mostly, you’re just there to trade on your fame.
In recent years we’ve seen Casey Donovan and Shannon Noll shoehorn in some singing around the camp on I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! to remind people why it is they’re actually known to the public, but it’s more of an aside than a time to shine.
And The Voice, the last remaining Australian music show left, skews towards young and undiscovered talent rather than celebrating the greats that we already have.
With that in mind, it’s no wonder so many of us are, despite our initial reservations about the premise of the show, are tuning into The Masked Singer night after night.
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It appeals to a wide demographic stretching from kids to pensioners, where artists of all ages and genres can perform freely without being judged on their looks (remember Australian Idol’s “tuck shop lady arms” moment?), moves or wardrobe choices.
Appearing on this show is a smart way of musician’s having the opportunity to tap into new audiences, and get back on screen — even if it’s only unmasked for a few minutes.
But perhaps the most potent element of the show’s success is that in the Masked Singer, there is no malice or scandal. It’s simply feel-good TV in a time when we need it more than ever.
The last time Deni Hines was on reality television, she was portrayed as the bitch on Celebrity Apprentice and was savaged by viewers on social media. Thanks to The Masked Singer, though, people are just talking about how good her voice is and Googling where she’s been.
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No one made jokes about Kate Ceberano’s religious beliefs, there were only vague remarks about Paulini’s previous legal struggles as part of her clues, and none of the judges took aim at the non-professional singers who took part, but instead celebrated them for having fun and taking part. The saltiness is outsourced to Twitter, which is precisely where it belongs.
There are now over one million Australians watching The Masked Singer each week.
And while that’s surely a win for the promotion and pay days of those who were smart enough to take part in the first season of the show, the real win is that the series has proven that the TV door is still open for people of all ages, weights, backgrounds and beliefs. Stick a mask on them, and it’s a fair go for anyone.
Surely, there’s now a line out the door of Channel 10’s offices ready to stick a mask on for next year.
Cameron Adams is a national music writer.
Originally published as Masked Singer’s success is thanks to this one crucial element