Joe Weinstock, Co-President of Brent Montgomery’s Wheelhouse Entertainment label Spoke Studios, has exited to launch a JV with The Masked Singer UK and Netflix’s Hard Cell super-indie Argonon.
16.05.2022 - 19:37 / usmagazine.com
Feeling fine! Rudy Giuliani‘s appearance on The Masked Singer sparked plenty of controversy, but a Fox executive said that he doesn’t feel remorse about having the politician on the show.
“The Masked Singer is all about delivering jaw-dropping moments, which is exactly what [we] accomplished whether it was on set or with the viewers at home,” Rob Wade, president of alternative entertainment and specials at Fox Entertainment, told Deadline on Monday, May 16, adding that he had “absolutely no regrets” about casting the former New York City mayor, 77.
Wade noted that his one wish was that he could have kept Giuliani’s appearance on the reality show a secret until it aired last month. “My only regret or surprise was obviously that the reveal was spoiled,” he joked.
In February, Deadline reported that judges Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke walked off set when the lawyer was unmasked as Jack in the Box during filming. When the episode aired on April 20, the Hangover star, 52, said, “I’m done” and left the stage as Giuliani began his final, unmasked performance. The “Blurred Lines” singer, 45, wasn’t shown leaving, but he did not appear alongside Jenny McCarthy and Nicole Scherzinger during the final minutes of the episode.
“This is definitely something I never would have guessed,” Thicke said after Giuliani was unveiled. Host Nick Cannon, for his part, added: “I think it surprises us all that you’re here on The Masked Singer.” The former associate attorney general told the panel that he wanted to participate in the series for his 5-month-old granddaughter, Grace.
Jack in the Box only appeared on one episode of the Fox series, but his clue package didn’t shy away from his controversial involvement in former president Donald Trump‘s
Joe Weinstock, Co-President of Brent Montgomery’s Wheelhouse Entertainment label Spoke Studios, has exited to launch a JV with The Masked Singer UK and Netflix’s Hard Cell super-indie Argonon.
Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterA juicy new documentary about the life and public battles of late real estate mogul Leona Helmsley is currently in production, Variety has learned exclusively. The film will contain never-before-heard tapes of Helmsley and her archrival Donald Trump, as well as “smoking gun” evidence that will question the tax evasion case brought on her by Rudy Giuliani in 1988.Helmsley was an icon of the “greed is good” era, an owner of luxury hotels and condominiums who left behind a $5 billion estate (which famously included a $12 million trust fund for her dog, a Maltese). Branded the “Queen of Mean” by the New York tabloids for her acid tongue and regal air, she was a bitter rival of Trump — who once called her “a disgrace to the industry and a disgrace to humanity in general.” Of Trump, Helmsley once reportedly said: “I wouldn’t trust him if his tongue was notarized.” Trump notoriously tried to snatch the crown jewel of Helmsley’s property portfolio, the Empire State building.Indie studio Gunpowder & Sky has boarded the project from Filmbank’s Keith Robert Patterson (HBO’s “All About Ann”), who will direct and produce.
SPOILER ALERT: Tonight, the seventh season finale of The Masked Singer unveiled its ultimate winner, once again offering the surprise answer to its mystery voice.
*Caution: Spoilers ahead!
season 7 crowned an all-new champion on Wednesday! After some truly breathtaking performances from the final three contestants, one costumed crooner ended up walking away with the Golden Mask Trophy!Going back to tradition — after having a finale with just two contestants last season — this season's big showdown pitted the top three singers against one another for an ultimate musical showdown.The Prince, The Ringmaster and The Firefly — who all happened to be from Team Good — each took to the stage to sing their hearts out, with The Prince kicking off the evening.The frog-costumed crooner wowed with a stunning performance of Coldplay's «Viva La Vida» that garnered a well-earned standing ovation from the panel and the audience.However, with this being the final, all three contestants brought their A-game, and Firefly upped the ante with a sultry, jaw-dropping rendition of «Bag Girl» by Usher. She showed off her moves and danced with the panel, leading panelist Nicole Scherzinger to gush, «Tonight, at this finale, you are the one to beat.»The Ringmaster then took the stage and brought the first round of the finale to an emotional close with a powerful performance of Sara Bareilles' «Gravity» that saw her hitting some truly next-level high notes.
(Warning: This post contains spoilers for the Season 7 finale of “The Masked Singer”)That’s a wrap on Fox’s “The Masked Singer” Season 7! All was revealed Wednesday night, as Firefly, Ringmaster, and The Prince went head-to-head for the top spot. The Prince was the first to be eliminated after a rendition of “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay. While earlier in the season the judges had assumed that the contestant behind the frog mask was an athlete, they were confident he had to be a performer by the end of his run.
SPOILER ALERT – Do not read ahead if you haven’t watched the season finale of The Masked Singer!
Judge Robin Thicke thinks he’s solved another mystery in the season finale of Fox’s “The Masked Singer.”In this exclusive sneak peek at Wednesday night’s episode, the show’s season finale, Thicke adds up all the clues and comes up with a definitive answer on who he thinks The Prince is (the one in the frog costume). Check out the clip below to watch Thicke layout the evidence.Heading into the season finale, Firefly, Ringmaster and The Prince are still in the game.
is coming to a close on Wednesday with a performance-packed finale! The Ringmaster, The Firefly and The Prince will face off, but only one will take home the coveted Golden Mask Trophy.However, before the celebs are revealed at long last, the panel of celebrity detectives will first have to make their final guesses at what stars are inside the elaborate costumes.In this exclusive sneak peek from Wednesday's season seven finale, Ken Jeong has a surprisingly solid prediction about the true identity of The Ringmaster, and he even gets host Nick Cannon on board with the possibility.«Well, I gotta go back to the clues,» Ken say, referring to the many hints presented in the character's various clue packages over the course of the show. «You know, there was not snow, but. As in Hailee Steinfeld!»«What about this: Mouse dressed as a princess? Disney? She's a star of Hawkeye! A horse? She was Oscar-nominated for » Ken says, before noticing what he thinks is a look of incredulity on Nick's face.
Rudy Giuliani’s stint on “The Masked Singer” had exactly the impact the network was looking for.
sparked walkouts from both Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke. However, in the actual airing of the episode, both judges remained in the studio at the unmasking.When Giuliani began giving his encore performance (as is standard after contestants are revealed), however, Jeong decided he’d had enough.
Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeFox execs finally addressed the controversy surrounding Rudy Giuliani being cast on “The Masked Singer,” and according to Rob Wade, the president of aalternative entertainment & specials at Fox Entertainment, the company has “no regrets.”The network brass was asked about Giuliani’s casting on Monday morning during a conference call announcing the network’s new fall lineup. “Yeah, absolutely no regrets,” Wade said.
Fox bosses have defended the casting of Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s former lawyer who helped spread baseless lies that the 2020 Presidential election was stolen, on The Masked Singer.
Fox has even more costumes and tunes in store with The Masked Singer set to return for its eighth season.
Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterMayim Bialik’s “Call Me Kat” has been renewed for a third season by Fox.The multi-cam comedy stars Bialik as Kat, an optimistic and fun-loving woman continuously defying societal expectations, and her mother’s wishes, to prove she can live a happy and fulfilling life on her own terms. Her first move? Using her entire savings to open a cat café in Louisville, KY.Along with Bialik, “Call Me Kat” stars Swoosie Kurtz as Sheila, Leslie Jordan as Phil, Kyla Pratt as Randi, Cheyenne Jackson as Max and Julian Gant as Carter.CLICK HERE to follow Variety’s coverage of Upfronts 2022Based on the British series “Miranda,” “Call Me Kat” is created by Miranda Hart.
Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterComedy “Pivoting” has been canceled after just one season at Fox, Variety has confirmed.The midseason single-cam sitcom starring Eliza Coupe, Ginnifer Goodwin and Maggie Q, concluded its 10-episode first season March 10.Set in a small, middle-class town in Long Island, NY, “Pivoting” follows close-knit childhood friends Amy (Coupe), Jodie (Goodwin) and Sarah (Q) as they cope with the death of the fourth member of their group. When faced with the reality that life is short, these women pivot, and alter their current paths, by way of a series of impulsive, ill-advised and self-indulgent decisions.
because he was recorded, like when he was recorded calling a senator on January 6 trying to get him to overturn the election results, or when he was recorded butt-dialing a reporter talking about how he needed cash, or when he briefly appeared in the “Borat” sequel.“Rudy records himself saying incriminating things all the time! Before he talks to anyone, he should pat himself down to make sure he’s not wearing a wire,” Meyers joked.You can watch Meyers’s full segment in the video here and above.