The Masked Singer 2020: Will show be able to film grand finale after coronavirus outbreak?

The Masked Singer is reeling from a COVID-19 outbreak - as the host reveals the one “brave” moment that ground the show to a halt.

Can the show go on?

That’s what Osher Gunsberg was asked on The Project after production on The Masked Singer was forced to shut down on Saturday after a coronavirus outbreak.

Seven people who worked on the show have now tested positive, forcing the remainder of the 200 cast and crew to get tested and self isolate.

Judges Dave Hughes, Jackie O and Dannii Minogue are all in isolation, awaiting the results of their COVID tests, expected tody.

Production on Nine’s Eddie McGuire-hosted quiz show Millionaire Hot Seat has also been shut down due to the coronavirus outbreak. The two shows share some facilities while filming.

The Network 10 show was just two hours away from filming the grand finale in Melbourne on Saturday when the decision was made to shut it down after producers consulted with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Osher Gunsberg was interviewed on The Project about The Masked Singer.

“The pyrotechnics were loaded, everyone was in costume and we were ready to go,” Gunsberg said on The Project tonight from self-isolation.

It was a dancer who first fell ill and spread COVID-19 to other co-workers, with Gunsberg praising the dancer for speaking up.

“This person was so brave … (they) put their hand up and said, ‘Hang on, guys, I’m not feeling so great.’ They were brave enough to pull the emergency brake on the freight train.

“We hit stop and everyone shut down.

“Nothing is as important as everyone’s safety. I hope we can set that as an example: if you’re not feeling great, it’s not worth it.’”

The Masked Singer has recorded all episodes except for the grand finale, meaning viewers will still see the show on Monday and Tuesday nights for the next three weeks.

But as for whether or not they’ll actually be able to film a grand finale, Gunsberg was optimistic.

“We will adhere to whatever happens once there’s been an outbreak,” he said. “We have to do a deep clean.

“We’re going to work as much as we can to try and get a grand finale happening … I’m pretty sure we’ll figure out a way to pull it off.”

Masked Singer judge Jackie O agreed, telling the Herald Sun: “We will still film the finale – we have very clever and creative people in this industry who will work out how this will look once we ensure everyone involved in the production is safe and well.”

Jackie O for The Masked Singer. Picture: Channel 10

CRITICISM OVER FILMING

The Victorian Premier and Chief Health Officer today defended the decision to allow The Masked Singer to film in Melbourne despite stage 4 restrictions being in place.

According to the Directions of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, television broadcasting is a permitted industry, hence why the show was allowed to continue shooting in the Docklands.

The show had a COVID-safe plan in place which was approved by authorities.

“I don’t think any particular outbreak that occurs in an industry necessarily means that anything has gone wrong,” Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said today.

“It does relate to the fact that anyone that comes in with the virus can spread it to others in a workplace.

“The determination has been made around broad sectors that are considered essential and television is one of those.”

Gunsberg told The Project hosts that strict safety protocols were in place on The Masked Singer and that everyone was abiding by them.

“I would not have been involved in a production that doesn’t take it (coronavirus) seriously,” he said. “I’ve never been on a stricter set, on a more segregated set.”

Last week judge Dave “Hughesy” Hughes copped a backlash on social media when he mentioned he was allowed to leave his home in Melbourne to film the TV show.

Dave Hughes on The Masked Singer.

“The people losing jobs and businesses at the moment must be thrilled to hear that this filming is deemed essential,” one person tweeted.

Another person wrote: “Wow. I’ve had to leave jobs half finished and pack up and take no income for 6 weeks and you can film a TV show?”

Hughesy responded to the backlash on Twitter, writing: “Feel very lucky to be able to film. Everyone involved very grateful. Protocols very strict.”

So far four celebrities have been unmasked on the show: Mark Philippoussis, Michael Bevan, Katie Noonan and Christine Anu.

The entire production team of The Masked Singer Australia, including @oshergunsberg and the high profile panel are in self-isolation, after a confirmed Covid case on-set . We caught up with Osher to find out details of what we can expect next. pic.twitter.com/LS6Nt6oXoq

— The Project (@theprojecttv) August 23, 2020

The Masked Singer continues on Monday night at 7.30pm on Channel 10