When TV Blackbox broke the news that Channel 10 had bought the hottest reality TV show in the world, little did we know the network was going to have a wild card judge from the get-go.
As we reported in early May The Masked Singer has been the most successful new show to launch in the US in 2019.
The format originally created in South Korea, involves 12 celebrities singing live on stage before a studio audience, while wearing elaborate costumes to hide their identities from both the studio judging panel and home viewers.
Clues are provided each week to help viewers guess the identities of the competitors, with the judges allowed to ask one question of the performers each week. The guessing game has proven to be a viral hit, and helped attract live broadcast viewers back to TV, at a time when consumers are increasingly preferring catch-up.
Now channel 10 has revealed the judging line-up. The first judge is a surprise addition and one likely to garner plenty of headlines. The remaining three judges are solid, if not ambitious, choices.
Lindsay Lohan is the biggest name joining the judging panel. The former child star has experience as a judge after her guest appearance on Project Runway in 2009.
On joining The Masked Singer Australia panel, Lindsay said:
“The show has already been a huge success and I can only imagine it will get bigger. Each week will be so exciting to watch who performs and try and guess who’s behind the masks. I feel honoured to sit on the panel and be a part of such an amazing show.”
Jackie O, Dave Hughes and Dannii Minogue will fill the remaining seats. Each has had previous experience working on reality television shows in the past, with Hughes previously serving as host on Australia’s Got Talent.
Making her mark as a global pop sensation over three decades, in recent years Dannii Minogue has stepped out of the studio and onto television screens, cementing herself as one of the industry’s sharpest talent spotters.
On why she thinks The Masked Singer Australia will stand out from other talent competitions, Dannii said:
“The Masked Singer is an incredible show that already has fans around the world. I love the music, drama of the costumes, the fun of guessing the performers, and most of all the tension when the performer is revealed.
It is the first singing show that is voted on performance alone, till the very end. There is so much secrecy about the performers, that I think this show will be a hot ticket – my friends are already trying to get an audience seat!”
One of the most powerful voices in Australian media, Jackie O has the entertainment world on speed dial, and she’s not afraid to call. Years at the top of her game has made her a hit maker, now Jackie O is ready to unearth Australia’s hidden talent.
On why she’s decided to take her place on the guessing panel, Jackie said:
“I was really excited by the concept, it’s so unique and like nothing we’ve seen on Australian TV before. I love that everyone can play along at home trying to guess which celebrities are under the mask.
I’m also excited for my daughter to see it, she will love it.”
While he may not have the sweetest singing voice, Dave Hughes will certainly bring the laughs to an already bonkers entertainment series. Despite not having the musical nous of his fellow panellists, Dave believes he has his finger on the pulse of those playing along at home.
On his place on such and outstanding panel, Dave said:
“Never has the phrase ‘thorn between the roses’ been more apt. I will attempt to give the common man’s view while sitting amongst these goddesses.”
Co-Creator and Editor of the TV Blackbox website, Robert McKnight is highly regarded Australian Television Producer, he has worked at SEVEN, NINE and TEN, and is most well-known for creating and producing STUDIO 10. Currently Rob is the host and producer of the TV Blackbox, McKnight Tonight and Monsters Who Murder podcasts.
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