‘The Masked Singer’ Reveals Identity of the Lemur: Here Is the Star Under the Mask

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeU.S.-based Spanish lingo programmer Estrella Media has sealed a two-year deal with Mexico-based broadcasting powerhouse TV Azteca to jointly create, produce and air new series on both sides of the border.The companies are set to announce some of those offerings next month during the 2022 IAB NewFronts on May 5, followed by Estrella Media’s upfront presentation on May 9. But the new partnership, set to be announced on Tuesday, includes creating more than 600 hours of original programming for both the U.S. and Mexico, as well as production of existing series and the licensing of library content for air in both countries.

 competition is reaching a fever pitch, and fans got their second double elimination of the season on Wednesday! Two stars went home, and the lone survivor earned a coveted spot in the grand finale.The remaining three singers from the second round of the season took to the stage to deliver their best performances to date, but fans still had to bid farewell to two.It all came down to Ringmaster, The Armadillo and Teddy in Wednesday's epic showdown. Teddy kicked things off with a memorable performance of Duffy's «Mercy» that proved just how legendary her voice really is.The Armadillo hit the stage next and belted out a raw, admittedly unrefined but powerful performance of «Amazing Grace» that left the judges in tears. Finally, Ringmaster closed out the first portion of the night's competition with a jaw-dropping cover of Dolly Parton's «I Will Always Love You,» that shockingly lived up to the vocal expectations set by Whitney Houston's iconic cover.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeSPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 7, Episode 6, of “The Masked Singer,” “The Double Mask-Off — Round 2 Finals,” which aired April 13 on Fox.The mystery of host Nick Cannon’s missing shirt wasn’t solved on Wednesday’s episode of “The Masked Singer,” but the show did send one more disguised celebrity to its final round. That meant that two more contestants were eliminated in a double exit on this week’s show: Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman as the Armadillo, and Jennifer Holliday as Miss Teddy.Armadillo aka Chapman was voted out after singing the traditional hymn “Amazing Grace.” Previous songs he performed included “Secret Agent Man,” by Johnny Rivers and “I Fought the Law,” by the Bobby Fuller Four. As for Holliday, as Miss Teddy, she sang “Mercy,” by Duffy.

Ken Jeong is just trying to mess with his fellow panelists.The hilarious comic has cultivated a reputation over the past seven seasons of the show for coming up with some of the most unlikely, out-of-left-field suggestions when it comes to guessing the secret celebrity identity of the show's costumed singers — like when he guessed that The Baby on Season 6 was Gordon Ramsey, and it proved to be Larry the Cable Guy.In this exclusive sneak peek from Wednesday's new episode, Ken truly ups the ante when it comes to outlandish deductions after hearing a performance from The Armadillo that leaves him feeling sure he's got this contestant nailed.So who does Ken believe is actually under the undoubtedly heavy, intricately detailed Armadillo costume?«This is Al Pacino, and I'll tell you why,» Ken states with truly unearned confidence, as fellow panelist Robin Thicke laughs out loud.Apparently, Ken's entire rationale is based on a clue presented earlier in the episode that featured handcuffs.«Handcuffs! He was a cop in, and he was technically a fugitive in » Ken explains, as Robin sarcastically quips, «It's so obvious.»If you're somehow unsure of why it's so ridiculous for Ken to guess that The Armadillo might actually be the 81-year-old Oscar-winning film icon, take a listen to his performance of «I Fought the Law» from last week's episode.This week, the panel — which also includes Jenny McCarthy and Nicole Scherzinger — will get some special help from returning guest panelist and star Leslie Jordan (who also openly laughed at Ken's implausible guess).Fans will also watch as The Armadillo faces off against The Ringmaster and Teddy.

ITV to make a whole series of the programme, which sees celebrities perform a musical number to impress judges. Fans had been expecting to see a new episode after six new performers took to the stage last week.

Ethan Shanfeld We haven’t seen the last of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.After dancing around the question on Thursday’s red carpet premiere, “Better Call Saul” co-creator Peter Gould has now officially confirmed that Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul will guest star in the final season of the “Breaking Bad” spinoff.Gould announced the news Saturday at PaleyFest LA on a “Better Call Saul” panel moderated by Variety television editor Michael Schneider, though he was tight-lipped on exactly when Cranston and Paul will show up or in what capacity. But as he told Variety on Thursday, “These two worlds cross over in a way that you haven’t seen before, that’s for sure.”At Thursday’s premiere, co-creator Vince Gilligan told Variety, “It would be a damn shame if the show ended without [Cranston and Paul] appearing, would it not?” Bob Odenkirk, who plays the series’ titular crooked lawyer, also hinted at Cranston and Paul’s appearance, telling Variety that Season 6 features “some wonderful new characters… your brain is gonna explode when you see them.”Odenkirk continued, “I personally feel that the two shows — ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’ — are entwined even more than ever in the final season.

“The Masked Singer” creator Wonwoo Park is addressing rumours about Rudy Giuliani’s alleged appearance on season 7 of the hit show. 

Clayton Davis Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.

, and after all four costumed characters delivered their memorable performances, fans had to bid farewell to yet another one of them.Hydra, Ringmaster, Armadillo and Teddy took to the stage to belt their hearts out. After all four sang, fans voted and the bottom two vote-earners had to go head-to-head into another vocal showdown.Despite Armadillo's lively performance of «I Fought the Law» by The Bobby Fuller Four and Hydra's fun cover of «Sharp Dressed Man» by ZZ Top, they ended up facing off in a music showdown, and Hydra ended up getting the axe.Before unmasking, the show's panel of celebrity «detectives» — including Robin Thicke, Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong and Jenny McCarthy, as well as guest panelist Nicole Byer — made their final guesses.While all of the judges correctly predicted that the Hydra was actually a duo and not a trio, despite the three heads, only Byer managed to correctly put the clues together.After figuring out how to unmask, the duo revealed themselves to be none other than magicians Penn & Teller!ET spoke with Penn about his time with Teller on the show, and the celebrated magician and TV personality reflected on how the costume itself was a bit of magical misdirection to keep their identity hidden.«If you look up duos in showbusiness, we pop up first on Google.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeSPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 7, Episode 5, of “The Masked Singer,” “Masking For a Duel — Round 2,” which aired April 6 on Fox.That’s no illusion, it really was Vegas legends Penn and Teller unmasked on Wednesday night’s episode of “The Masked Singer.” Penn Jillette and his quiet partner Teller were disguised under the three-headed Hydra outfit.And yes, that was Teller who did most of the singing — in two different voices, one as himself and one in an aristocratic-style voice patterned after Rex Harrison in “My Fair Lady.” (As a matter of fact, the duo dubbed the voice “Rex.”)That may very well be the only time you’ll ever hear Teller — famously mute during all Penn & Teller appearances — actually talk. According to Jillette — who naturally spoke solo with Variety — the decision was made to have Teller sing most of the songs since Jillette’s booming voice is so recognizable.

Too cute! Harry Styles’ “As It Was” music video kicks off with a baby voice — and the former One Direction member revealed the identity of the little one amid speculation.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeSupermodel Bella Hadid has joined the cast of Hulu’s “Ramy” as a recurring guest star in Season 3. Details have not yet been revealed on Hadid’s character or her relationship to the show’s other characters just yet.“Ramy” reps the first credited scripted role for Hadid.

Unforgotten star Nicola Walker has opened up about the reasons why she doesn't think she's cut out for celebrity singing show The Masked Singer. Although the 51 year old actress has a secret singing talent, she revealed to us that she'd be "too scared" to take part in the musical bonanza.

*Caution: Spoilers Ahead!

SPOILER ALERT – Do not continue reading if you don’t want to know who was unmasked on The Masked Singer tonight!

, and after all five costumed characters delivered their debut performances, fans had to bid farewell to one of them.Despite her best efforts to wow the crowd with a performance of Carole King's «I Feel the Earth Move,» it was The Lemur who ended up getting the least number of votes and therefore had to unmask.When the moment of truth finally came, The Lemur unmasked and revealed herself to be none other than legendary supermodel and actress Christie Brinkley!Brinkley opened up to ET on Wednesday, and reflected on her time on the show, explaining how much she loved the experience, but was unhappy about her debut performance.«I was so disappointed. I felt like, when I was doing my performance, it wasn't coming together the way I hoped,» Brinkley shared.According to the actress, she had originally been given a choice of two costumes — either The Lemur, or a different character that she said was «a little more of a glamorous, fierce kind of outfit.»«I right away gravitated towards The Lemur,» she shared.

Group B is making their debut on The Masked Singer!

's season 7 competition, and we're already chopping contestants at a breakneck pace. Wednesday's new episode of Fox's hit reality singing competition series gave fans a surprising double elimination!The remaining members of the first batch of contestants — the only ones we've seen this season thus far — took the stage to sing their hearts out, before a painful double unmasking left only one singer standing.It all came down to Thingamabob, Cyclops and Firefly in Wednesday's epic showdown.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeSPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 7, Episode 3, of “The Masked Singer,” “The Double Unmasking — Round 1 Finals,” which aired March 23 on Fox.Nope, the unmasking we’re all dreading still didn’t happen in Week 3 of “The Masked Singer,” as two more celebrities exited the show in a double elimination. Exiting this week were “Lost” and “Hawaii Five-0” star Jorge Reyes, who had performed as the Cyclops, and Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, revealed as the Thingamabob.Reyes, as Cyclops (from “Team Bad”), ended his run after a stirring rendition of “Flashdance (What a Feeling),” by Irene Cara, while Mailata, as Thingamabob (from “Team Cuddly”), sang “Classic,” by MKTO. Neither were guessed by any of the show’s panelists.