'The Masked Singer' Reveals Identities of Royal Knight and Sherlock Hound: Here Are the Celebrities Under the Costumes
Michael Schneider
November 29, 2024 at 3:00 AM
SPOILER ALERT: Details follow for Season 12, Episode 9 of "The Masked Singer," "Peanuts Night," which aired Thursday, November 28 on Fox.
It was a dual elimination on a special Thursday edition of "The Masked Singer," as the show celebrated both Thanksgiving and the Peanuts characters by eliminating both the Royal Knight and Sherlock Hound. Royal Knight was revealed to be the singer and actress Jana Kramer ("One Tree Hill") while Sherlock Hound was unmasked as former baseball player Bronson Arroyo.
More from Variety
'The Masked Singer' Panelists Sneak Preview 'Peanuts Night': Why Robin Thicke Relates to Pig Pen and Rita Ora Loves Lucy (EXCLUSIVE)
'The Masked Singer' Reveals Identity of Ice King: Here Is the Celebrity Under the Costume on 'Miley Cyrus Night'
'The Masked Singer' Reveals Identity of Macaron: Here Is the Celebrity Under the Costume
The Royal Knight was the first to be unmasked. Among the show's panelists, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg got it right with Jana Kramer. Rita Ora said Anna Faris. Ken Jeong thought it was Kelly Ripa. Robin Thicke named Busy Philipps.
Then, Strawberry Shortcake and Sherlock Hound competed in a battle royale, performing "Shivers," by Ed Sheeran. Strawberry Shortcake won and moved on to the quarterfinals, while Sherlock Holmes was unmasked.
For Sherlock Holmes, Robin Thicke and Ken Jeong both got it right with Bronson Arroyo. Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg went with Scott Stapp of the group Creed. Rita Ora said it was Hozier.
In their final regular performances, Kramer sang "Holiday," by Madonna, while Arroyo performed "Ho Hey," by The Lumineers.
It was "Peanuts Night" on the show -- celebrating "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," and also next year's 75th anniversary of the "Peanuts" comic strip, which launched in 1950. The show opened with the "Masked Singer" panelists and costumed Peanuts characters around the Thanksgiving dinner table, followed by Rita Ora and Robin Thicke performing "You Make My Dreams Come True" by Daryl Hall and John Oates.
Jana Kramer as Royal Knight and Bronson Arroyo as Sherlock Hound join Drake Bell as Ice King, Bethany Hamilton as Macaron, Natalie Imbruglia as Bluebell, Laverne Cox as Chess Piece, Andy Richter as Dusty Bunny, Paula Cole as Ship, Marsai Martin as Woodpecker, Yvette Nicole Brown as Showbird and John Elway as Leaf Sheep as the celebrities unmasked on "The Masked Singer" Season 12.
Back for Season 12 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke, while Ora also returned to the desk for the second consecutive season to fill in for Nicole Scherzinger.
"The Masked Singer" Season 12 themed episodes include tributes to Mattel's Barbie as it hits its 65th anniversary, and the film "Footloose" as it marks its 40th anniversary. Miley Cyrus will also be honored with an episode devoted to her music catalog, while also new is a "Who Are You Fest," featuring music from "memorable festival lineups," as well as a "Sports Night" and a "60's Night." Tentpole themes that are back include "Soundtrack of My Life" and "Thanksgiving Night."
New this season, clues will be "strategically embedded in costumes, in song choices and on-stage moments." And the fifteen celebrity contestants will be endorsed by a "celebrity Masked Ambassador," made up of previous participants including Dick Van Dyke (Season 9's Gnome), Jewel (Season 6 winner as the Queen of Hearts), Ne-yo (Season 10 winner as the Cow) and DeMarcus Ware (Season 11's Koala). And the "Ding Dong Keep It On" bell is also back this morning, but only one singer across the three group finals can be saved.
Season 12 features 15 contestants performing in new costumes including "Ship," "Leaf Sheep," "Woodpecker," "Chess Piece," "Bluebell," "Buffalo," "Showbird," "Dust Bunny," "Goo," "Strawberry Shortcake," "Sherlock Hound," "Royal Knight," "Ice King," "Macaron" and more.
Here were the final round of Group C performances on Thursday's Episode 9, "Thanksgiving Night":
Strawberry Shortcake
Song: "I Hope You Dance," by Lee Ann Womack
Panel guesses: Kelsea Ballerini, Hailee Steinfeld, Selena Gomez
Thanksgiving giving clue: Mouse ears. "Mouse ears were instrumental in how I got my start."
Strawberry Shortcake voiceover: "Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. And I have some pretty sweet memories. Like even being in the big parade! But my fondest? Just being at home in the kitchen with my mom. Growing up, we sang together constantly. Like, at the top of our lungs. We'd harmonize and she had the most beautiful voice. She gave me the guts to go for my dreams. Even when I was scared. And I'm so thankful that she did. But, over the years I saw her lose her own confidence to sing. Her stage fright took over. It was heartbreaking to see. And to this day, I miss hearing her voice. I would give anything to hear her sing again. Now, the tables have turned, and this song is for her. And if seeing me dressed as a delectable dessert on Thanksgiving gives her the one day to do the same, that would be the icing on the cake."
Previous songs: "Slow Burn," by Kacey Musgraves; "Wrecking Ball," by Miley Cyrus
Previous panel guesses: Renee Rapp, Lana del Rey, Rachel Ziegler, Chloe Fineman, Hilary Duff, Ashley Tisdale
Royal Knight
Song: "Holiday," by Madonna
Panel guesses: Anna Faris, Busy Philipps, Jana Kramer
Thanksgiving giving clue: "Best-selling author." "I act, I sing, I live my life to the fullest. And I even wrote a best-selling book all about it."
Royal Knight voiceover: "I have more to be thankful for than ever before, because finally I'm living my happily ever after. Tonight my knight's table will truly be a feast to behold. First, there's my eldest, who helps cut the turkey so loving and kind. Then, my middle child who sets the table, my sensitive sweet little soul mate. And this year, I'll celebrate with our miracle baby I never thought was possible. Who will get to eat pumpkin pie for the very first time. It's days like this that I realize how far I've become from that shell of a girl I once was. I've been through a lot in life, judged and ridiculed and it's taken me a long time to stand here bravely. And now I try to teach all my children to love themselves from the start. So this performance is for them. And thank you for making me the luckiest mom in the world. Because this holiday, everything I need is right here on my table."
Previous songs: "You and I," by Lady Gaga; "When I Look At You," by Miley Cyrus
Previous panel guesses: Ashley Tisdale, Lily James, Hayden Panettiere, Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kate Hudson, Aubrey Plaza
Sherlock Hound
Song: "Ho Hey," by The Lumineers
Panel guesses: Bronson Arroyo, Anthony Kiedis, Scott Stapp
Sherlock Hound voiceover: "Making it to the Group C finals and being a part of tonight's holiday celebration has me feeling super grateful for new beginnings. I've been known to have a few, and I'm thankful to have them all. Exhibit A, my career. My stardom had an expiration date. Things were always destined to dry up. But instead of rolling over and playing dead, I learned new tricks. Exhibit B, my personal life. I always stay on the move, see, not looking for a forever home, but found one. Unexpectedly, with a rare breed. And now home is wherever she is. So yeah, in conclusion, I'm thankful for my life's many chapters and especially for my new gal, my sweetheart. Making it to the next chapter of this competition, that would be a treat."
Previous songs: "Under the Bridge," by Red Hot Chili Peppers; "Used to Be Young," by Miley Cyrus
Previous panel guesses: Eddie Vedder, Gavin Rossdale, Chad Kroeger, Brandon Boyd, Adam Levine, Johnny Rzeznik (of Goo Goo Dolls), Scott Stapp (of Creed), Hozier, Nate Ruess (of Fun)
Last season's performers included Vanessa Hudgens, who won the Season 11 crown as Goldfish, beating out Scott Porter, who had performed as Gumball. Other performers included Thelma Houston (Clock), Chrissy Metz (Poodle Moth), Corey Feldman (Seal) and Clay Aiken/Ruben Studdard (Beets), Jenifer Lewis (Miss Cleocatra), Kate Flannery (Starfish), Charlie Wilson (Ugly Sweater), DeMarcus Ware (Koala), Colton Underwood (Love Bird), Sisqó (Lizard), Billy Bush (Sir Lion), Joe Bastianich (Spaghetti & Meatballs), Savannah Chrisley (Afghan Hound) and Kevin Hart (Book).
"The Masked Singer" comes from Fox Alternative Entertainment. Rosie Seitchik, Craig Plestis and Cannon are executive producers, while Seitchik serves as showrunner. The series is based on the South Korean format created by Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp.
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
What's Coming to Disney+ in December 2024
What's Coming to Netflix in December 2024
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.