What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1322770
T2 WHATS UP! December 27, 2020 - January 2, 2021 BY RACHEL JONES TV Media W ho's behind the mask? Find out with Craig Robin- son ("Hot Tub Time Machine," 2010) as he hosts the series premiere of "The Masked Dancer," airing Sunday, Dec. 27, on Fox. A spinoff of the network's hit series "The Masked Singer," "The Masked Dancer" shares more with its mother show than just a similar name. Based on the same premise but featuring a dif- ferent art form at its core, this new series shines the spotlight on heavily disguised celebrity contestants performing dance routines while a team of super- star panelists tries to guess their identity. It won't be an easy task, though; every contestant will be wearing both a mask and a full- length costume to conceal any potentially distinguishing fea- tures. The panelists include singer Paula Abdul ("American Idol"), actor and former "Masked Sing- er" contestant Brian Austin Green ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles"), actress Ashley Tisdale ("High School Musical," 2006) and comedian Ken Jeong ("The Hangover," 2009), who's been a staple of "The Masked Singer" since its conception in early January 2019. A toe-tapping phenomenon, "The Masked Dancer" — like the "Singer" series — relies on more than just the cunning guesses of its esteemed panel- ists. Following a video full of clues to further confuse the pan- elists, they wager their guesses on the megastar behind the mask. While the panelists rack their brains to make sense of the clues they were given, the audi- ence votes for their favorite con- testants with the hope of seeing them move forward in the com- petition. Each week after the votes are tabulated, the losing singer is unmasked, revealing their true identity. For those of you familiar with "The Masked Singer," no doubt this all sounds very familiar to you, but do not panic — there are still some changes to be had beyond the name and the art form. Fox has announced that each contestant on "The Masked Dancer" will perform a different style of dance with their own masked partner (à la "Dancing with the Stars" … kind of). Interestingly enough for those of you who may be less fa- miliar with the show's concept, although both series are current U.S. productions, the concept for these masked shows is actu- ally based on a South Korean television series called "King of Mask Singer." Spotting the gem while travelling in Thailand, ex- ecutive producer Craig Plestis ("Minute to Win It") was in- trigued by the format and, after lengthy chats with the show's production company, he se- cured the rights to produce an American version of his very own. Throughout its four seasons to date, "The Masked Singer" has proven to be incredibly pop- ular, having become one of the highest-rated, non-sports, un- scripted programs in the United States. Apart from its American (and, naturally, South Korean) cult following, the show has A character from "The Masked Dancer" More masks, please continued on page T10 TV FEATURE 5 x 5 Your subscription includes full access to the digital replica with all of its great extra features! INTERACTIVE PUZZLES! Available on the digital replica. Subscribe today and receive an iPad with your subscription*. *iPad must be returned within 30 days of termination of account. Call 479-684-5509 or go to nwaonline.com/nwaipad