Fox Execs Say ‘Absolutely No Regrets’ in Casting Rudy Giuliani on ‘The Masked Singer’

Fox is developing Felonious Monk, a one-hour drama based on William Kotzwinkle’s novel, from writer Michael Brandon Guercio (Treadstone) and Fox Entertainment.

The Masked Singer, the Fox reality show that doubles as a surreal talent show and a rehabilitator for disgraced politicians, ended its latest season on Wednesday night. Look away now if you don't want to know the result but Firefly was crowned the winner and was then revealed to be Teyana Taylor.

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.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeSPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 7, Episode 10, of “The Masked Singer,” “Season Finale: I’m Team Good, Thanks for Masking,” which aired May 18 on Fox.It came down to a battle of the Good in the season finale of “The Masked Singer” but only one could emerge victorious: Singer/actress/dancer Teyana Taylor.“The Masked Singer” ended its seventh season with three finalists, all from “Team Good,” competing for the Golden Mask trophy. Landing behind the Firefly, “The Goldbergs” star Hayley Orrantia came in second place, as the Ringmaster, while “Call Me Kat” star Cheyenne Jackson earned the bronze as the Prince.For Firefly, Robin Thicke and Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg guessed right, with Taylor. Nicole Scherzinger thought it was Monica, and Ken Jeong guessed Alicia Keys.

Fox is finalizing a straight-to-series order to a black comedy about a meteorologist whose life unspools after a freak injury at work. Cindy Snow, from The Flight Attendant creator Steve Yockey and Warner Bros TV, was teased by Call Me Kat star and EP Mayim Bialik during Fox’s upfront presentation.

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.

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.

Fox has rolled out its 2022-2023 programming slate, giving its post- Super Bowl LVII slot to Gordon Ramsay’s “Next Level Chef,” and announcing several news shows for the broadcast network and Tubi. The network doesn’t yet have “9-1-1” and “The Resident” lined up, however, with renewal negotiations still in progress Monday.“We’re in good faith negotiations with 20th [Century Television] and based on our long history with that company we think we’re in pretty good shape,” Charlie Collier, CEO, Fox Entertainment, said on a conference call with reporters Monday.New shows coming to the network are the country music drama “Monarch,” starring Susan Sarandon, Trace Adkins and Anna Friel; crime anthology series “Accused,” from the producers of “Homeland and “House,” and “Alert,” a missing persons drama from Jamie Foxx and John Eisendrath.

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 given a straight-to-series order to Alert, a character-driven police procedural from The Blacklist showrunner John Eisendrath and Jamie Foxx. The pickup was part of Fox’s upfront slate announcement for the 2022-23 season.

Fox has even more costumes and tunes in store with The Masked Singer set to return for its eighth season.

has been renewed for a third season at Fox.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeFox is bringing back the post-Super Bowl series lead-out, and turning to chef Gordon Ramsay to help do it. The network plans to premiere the second season of Ramsay’s “Next Level Chef” right after Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, Feb.

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.

*Caution: Spoilers Ahead!