The Masked Singer has always been a show full of surprises, creativity, and mind-bending performances. This time, they brought back the excitement of theme weeks with a celebration that has fans on their feet—Footloose Night! It was a night packed with energy, throwback hits, and some unexpected moments that left everyone in awe.
The show kicked off with a bang, paying tribute to the 1984 classic Footloose. Robin Thicke, one of the panelists, took center stage wearing a sparkly blazer that resembled Kevin Bacon’s iconic look from the film.
He performed the famous title track “Footloose” and set the tone for the evening. The performance had everything—a smooth sound, fancy dance moves, and a nostalgic tribute to the film that took everyone back in time. The lively atmosphere was evident from the start, making it clear that this night was going to be a memorable one.
Host Nick Cannon reminded viewers of the reason behind this special night—it was the 40th anniversary of Footloose. While this might make some fans feel a bit old, the music and the film remain timeless.
There is something magical about Footloose that still resonates with audiences of all ages. It isn’t just a movie; it’s a cultural touchstone that has left a lasting impact. The catchy songs and feel-good storyline have solidified its place in pop culture history. Nick Cannon’s mention of the anniversary added to the celebration, giving the night a deeper meaning.
With Robin Thicke already performing the famous title song, the masked contestants were left with the exciting challenge of picking four more tracks from the Footloose soundtrack.
Luckily for them, the Footloose soundtrack is full of hit songs, making it hard to go wrong with their choices. And to top it all off, Kevin Bacon himself made a special appearance.
Still from the episode (Hulu)
In a fun and unique way, Bacon delivered a personal message to the audience, reciting the lyrics of “Footloose” as if they were part of a dramatic monologue. It was an unexpected treat and a perfect nod to the film’s iconic status. Bacon’s cameo added a layer of fun and kept the energy high.
Adding to the excitement was a lingering mystery from previous episodes: the disappearance of the Masked Ambassador. Fans had been curious about what happened and if the twist would continue. However, it seemed that storyline was wrapped up for now.
Until the show introduces Group B, fans are left to speculate about what the future holds. But with such an action-packed episode, there was plenty to keep the audience entertained.
A Front Runner Emerges: Ship Impresses the Judges
One of the standout performers of the night was Ship. After an exceptional debut in week 1, she returned to the stage, and it was clear that she was sailing forward as a frontrunner. Her clue package provided insight into her past.
Ship revealed that in high school, she was a star cheerleader, class president, and even voted prom queen. These accomplishments showed that she was no stranger to the spotlight.
However, she also shared that a foot injury during her senior year sidelined her for a full year. During that time, she discovered her family’s piano, and music became her sanctuary, providing her with an outlet during her recovery.
As the clues were revealed, viewers got to see more of Ship’s personality and background. In her clue package, she was shown wearing cowboy boots and sitting at a piano with a blackbird perched on top. These hints added to the mystery surrounding her identity. Could the cowboy boots be a clue pointing toward a country singer? Or was the blackbird a reference to a famous song?
When Ship took the stage to perform, she chose the emotional love ballad “Almost Paradise” by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson. This song allowed her to slow things down and showcase the full depth of her vocal range.
Her performance was nothing short of breathtaking. Ship demonstrated poise and control, making her performance feel both effortless and heartfelt. As she sang, it was clear that she was completely at ease on stage.
The judges were impressed, with several of them commenting that Ship seemed like the contestant most likely to win the Golden Mask.
The clues continued to pile up. The extra clue this week involved a game of “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.” Inside a locker, there were pictures of Kevin Bacon, Whoopi Goldberg, and Melissa Etheridge.
This added another layer of intrigue. What could these celebrities have in common with Ship? The panelists tried their best to guess her identity, with names like Kate Bush, Sarah McLachlan, and Amy Grant being thrown around.
Ken Jeong, always ready with an unexpected guess, suggested Sheryl Crow. His fellow judges teased him for the guess, but with Ken’s track record, anything is possible!
Still from the episode (Hulu)
Woodpecker’s Journey: Rising Through the Ranks
Another fan favorite of the night was Woodpecker, who returned to the stage with another exciting performance. Her clue package revealed more about her background, specifically focusing on her childhood. She shared that while other kids were busy playing in treehouses, she was planting her roots in Hollywood.
This suggests that Woodpecker was likely a child star, someone who grew up in the public eye. She admitted that growing up in front of the world could be awkward at times, but she always remained strong and confident.
Woodpecker mentioned that she pushed through her “growing pains” and became an inspiration for younger generations. Many young fans now look up to her, and it’s clear that she’s embraced her role as a role model.
In her clue package, several images caught the audience’s attention. These included a rubber duck, a director’s chair, and a tiny briefcase. These items seemed random at first glance, but as with all clues in The Masked Singer, they likely hold deeper meaning.
Could the rubber duck point to a famous children’s show? Or was the director’s chair a clue hinting at her involvement in the entertainment industry from a young age?
When Woodpecker hit the stage, she brought her signature energy and flair to the performance. She chose to sing Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out For a Hero,” a powerful anthem that showcased her strong stage presence.
While her performance didn’t quite match the impact of her first appearance, she still impressed the judges. Her ability to command the stage was undeniable, and by the end of the song, the judges were on their feet cheering her on.
Woodpecker’s extra clue for the night was especially interesting. She received a shoe from Kevin Bacon’s wardrobe in Footloose, but the real clue came when she mentioned her connection to another celebrity from The Masked Singer.
She revealed that she shares an “ISH” obsession with this person, which immediately pointed to actress Jenifer Lewis, famous for her role in Black-ish. This clue seemed to confirm that Woodpecker might be Marsai Martin, a young star from Black-ish. The panelists offered their guesses, with Letitia Wright, Willow Smith, and Regina King being some of the names thrown out.
Still from the episode (Hulu)
Buffalo: A Musical Trio Takes the Stage
The trio known as Buffalo returned for another performance, and they didn’t disappoint. After the surprise reveal in the previous episode that Buffalo was actually a group of three, fans were eager to see what they had in store.
.This time, all three members were featured in their clue package, but the clues were still difficult to interpret.
Buffalo described themselves as rebels who found each other along the way. They mentioned that they do things their own way and that they have a strong sense of humor. They also dropped hints about their wealth, saying they are both corny and rich.
Visual clues included images of the trio playing poker and a jar of poison. While these clues were intriguing, they left both the panelists and the audience confused.
For their performance, Buffalo chose to sing Waiting For a Girl Like You by Foreigner. The trio delivered a smooth, soulful performance that showcased their impressive vocal range. Their ability to harmonize and hit high notes was on full display.
The judges were blown away by their talent, and many commented that this trio deserved to be in the recording studio. Their rendition of the song was so good that fans would love to see it available on streaming platforms!
Buffalo’s clue for the night featured a tractor with the words “mo-town” written on it. This was another head-scratcher for the panelists. Ken Jeong, known for his bold guesses, took a shot in the dark and suggested that Buffalo might be Bell Biv DeVoe.
He based this guess on the jar of poison in their clue package, referencing Bell Biv DeVoe’s hit song Poison. Other panelists threw out names like 112, Boyz II Men, and Big Time Rush, but the identity of Buffalo remains a mystery.
Showbird: A Surprise Reveal Shocks Everyone
Last but not least was Showbird, who took the stage with a heartfelt performance. In her clue package, she shared that she always believed that if she had a chance to shine in the spotlight, she would do something meaningful with it.
Over the years, she has worked hard, and her work has become such a huge part of her life that she feels married to it. Showbird also mentioned that she rekindled a love for singing thanks to someone who gave her the confidence to perform again.
Her visual clues were a bit sparse, but one image stood out: five rings with large stones. Fans immediately speculated about the meaning behind the rings, but it wasn’t until later that the connection became clear.
Showbird chose to perform “Let’s Hear It For the Boy” by Deniece Williams, dedicating the song to her newfound love and confidence. Her voice was sweet and pleasant, and while she may not have the strongest vocals in the competition, she made up for it with her enthusiasm and dance moves.
Despite her solid performance, Showbird ended up receiving the lowest number of votes for the night. This meant that her time on The Masked Singer had come to an end, and it was time for her to unmask.
Before the reveal, the judges made their final guesses. They suspected that Showbird might be Taraji P. Henson, Sheila E., or Yvette Nicole Brown.
Once again, Ken Jeong had the winning guess! Showbird was indeed Yvette Nicole Brown, the talented actress from Community.
.The five rings in her clue package were a reference to Thanos and the Infinity Stones from Avengers: Endgame, where Yvette Nicole Brown made a cameo as Agent Phyllis Jenkins.
The reveal was a pleasant surprise for fans of Community, as Yvette Nicole Brown is a beloved actress known for her quick wit and charm.
Her time on The Masked Singer might have been cut short, but she left a lasting impression. The audience and judges alike were thrilled to see her take part in the competition.
Foodie culture has grown significantly within the entertainment industry. The viral nature of food enthusiasts across social media platforms has made food-centric shows like The Bear and movies such as The Menu very popular.
These productions capture audiences by blending the culinary world with compelling narratives, often mixing drama, suspense, and social commentary.
The Menu, for example, received praise for satirizing the fine-dining industry and examining the power dynamics between chefs and their wealthy patrons.
Now, MGM Studios and Blumhouse have teamed up for their latest horror film, House of Spoils, which is already being compared to The Menu. However, House of Spoils takes a different approach, offering a more supernatural take on the restaurant industry.
Where The Menu focuses on a working-class woman held hostage by a pretentious chef, House of Spoils flips the script by focusing on a chef herself. It details her journey into opening a high-end restaurant while being haunted by supernatural forces.
Unfortunately, House of Spoils falls short of its potential. While The Menu delivers a sharp and clever narrative, House of Spoils presents something far less engaging, leaving viewers with a bland and forgettable experience.
The Plot: A Chef with Big Dreams and a Haunted Restaurant
The main character in House of Spoils is a young woman referred to only as Chef, played by Ariana DeBose, who is known for her Academy Award-winning performance in West Side Story.
Chef has spent nearly a decade training with the best culinary minds in the world, and now she is ready to make her mark by opening her own restaurant.
She enlists the help of a smooth-talking restauranteur named Andres, played by Arian Moayed, who helps her transform an abandoned mansion into an upscale and remote dining destination.
As Chef starts preparing the mansion to become her restaurant, strange things begin to happen. She soon discovers that the mansion’s previous owner may have had connections to the occult, and some dark forces may still be lurking within the mansion’s walls.
What starts as an ambitious venture to showcase her culinary skills quickly turns into a psychological thriller as Chef is confronted with increasingly bizarre and frightening occurrences.
The film deals with themes of ambition, power, and the desire to succeed, but it does so in a way that lacks the depth and originality needed to stand out in the crowded horror genre.
The Horror: A Lack of Scares and Tension
One of the major issues with House of Spoils is that it fails to deliver on its horror premise. Blumhouse Productions is known for its expertise in the horror genre, having produced films such as The Purge, Get Out, and Paranormal Activity, which have all become staples of modern horror.
Still from the show (Prime Video)
However, House of Spoils lacks the scares, tension, and atmosphere that Blumhouse films are typically known for.
The movie feels like it wasn’t originally intended to be a horror film, and that elements of horror were added later, perhaps to fit Blumhouse’s brand. As a result, the film comes across as disjointed and lacks a cohesive identity.
The supernatural elements in House of Spoils are generic and predictable. The film relies heavily on cheap jump scares and ghostly apparitions, but none of these moments are particularly frightening.
Instead, they feel like they were added to check off a box rather than to genuinely scare the audience.
The film’s pacing also suffers, as there are long stretches where very little happens, making it difficult for viewers to stay engaged.
The suspense builds slowly, but by the time the film reaches its climax, any tension that has been created quickly dissipates due to a lackluster and confusing finale.
Missed Opportunities: The Culinary Industry as a Setting
One of the more unique aspects of House of Spoils is its setting within the culinary world. Films that focus on the food industry often have the potential to find interesting themes, such as the pressure to succeed, the role of creativity in cooking, and the relationships between chefs and their patrons.
Unfortunately, House of Spoils doesn’t fully capitalize on this setting. The film offers some commentary on the food industry, but it doesn’t say anything that hasn’t already been talked in other films and shows.
For instance, The Menu delivers a biting satire of the fine-dining world, critiquing the pretentiousness of both chefs and diners. In contrast, House of Spoils attempts to make a statement about the darker side of the culinary industry but falls short.
The film touches briefly on issues such as sexism within the culinary world, but it doesn’t go deep enough to make a significant impact.
The sexism Chef faces is mentioned, but the film doesn’t commit to finding how it affects her character or her journey. This missed opportunity leaves the film feeling shallow and incomplete.
The film’s central concept of a chef dabbling in witchcraft is intriguing, and House of Spoils deserves credit for attempting to tackle such an idea.
However, the execution leaves much to be desired. Rather than fully embracing the absurdity and fun that could come from such a premise, the film takes itself too seriously and ends up feeling lifeless.
The supernatural elements are underdeveloped, and the witchcraft aspect of the story never fully comes together in a satisfying way.
Ariana DeBose’s Performance: A Mixed Bag
Ariana DeBose is a talented actress, and her charisma is one of the few highlights of House of Spoils. She has a natural screen presence that made her stand out in West Side Story, where she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
In House of Spoils, DeBose plays a sharp, independent character who is determined to succeed in a male-dominated industry.
The decision to only refer to her character as “Chef” suggests that she is a complex individual who has yet to earn the respect she deserves from her peers.
This could have been an interesting character study, but the film doesn’t fully find Chef’s motivations or struggles.
DeBose’s performance is uneven, particularly during the film’s horror sequences. Her reactions to the supernatural events in the mansion often come across as unconvincing.
In several scenes, where Chef is supposed to be terrified by ghostly apparitions or haunted by witches, DeBose’s screams of terror feel forced and even unintentionally humorous.
These moments undermine the film’s attempt at building suspense and make it difficult for viewers to take the horror seriously.
However, DeBose shines in the scenes where her character begins to unravel mentally. As Chef becomes more consumed by her obsession with the restaurant and the dark forces haunting the mansion, DeBose is able to bring some nuance to the role.
Her interactions with supporting characters such as Andres and Lucia, played by Barbie Ferreira, are also highlights of the film. Ferreira and Moayed bring a level of depth to their performances, even though their characters are underdeveloped.
Still from the show (Prime Video)
Supporting Cast: Strong Performances but Underwritten Roles
Barbie Ferreira and Arian Moayed play important supporting roles in House of Spoils, but their characters are not given enough development to make a lasting impact.
Ferreira plays Lucia, a close confidante of Chef, while Moayed plays Andres, the slick businessman who helps Chef launch her restaurant. Both actors give strong performances, but the script doesn’t allow their characters to grow beyond the surface.
Andres, in particular, is a character who could have been much more interesting if the film had committed to finding his vulnerabilities. He starts off as a stereotypical sleazy businessman, but there are moments in the film that hint at a more complex and vulnerable character.
Unfortunately, these moments are fleeting, and the film never fully goes into who Andres really is. Similarly, Lucia feels like a one-note character who exists primarily to support Chef’s journey rather than having a story of her own.
The Disappointing Finale: A Twist That Falls Flat
The final act of House of Spoils is perhaps the most disappointing part of the entire film. Without giving too much away, the film builds toward a major twist that is meant to surprise the audience. However, the twist is poorly executed and ends up deflating any tension that had been built up throughout the film.
The result is a confusing and perplexing endthat leaves viewers with more questions than answers.
One of the early scenes in House of Spoils features Chef being forced to use pre-packaged ingredients to prepare one of her meals.
This scene is a fitting analogy for the film as a whole. Like Chef’s meal, House of Spoils feels like it is made up of pre-packaged, pre-existing elements that have been used in countless other stories.
The film is watchable and easy to digest, but it offers nothing new or innovative. Instead, it feels like a collection of tired clichés and overused storytelling devices.
A Missed Opportunity in the Horror Genre
House of Spoils had the potential to be a compelling horror film set within the unique fine dining, but it ultimately falls flat. The film lacks the scares, tension, and originality needed to stand out in the crowded horror genre.
While Ariana DeBose delivers a strong performance at times, the uneven script and underdeveloped characters prevent the film from reaching its full potential.
The culinary setting could have provided a fresh take on the genre, but House of Spoils fails to find it in a meaningful way.
Instead, it relies on tired horror tropes and a disappointing twist that leaves viewers unsatisfied. For fans of food-centric dramas or horror films, House of Spoils may be an interesting watch, but it is unlikely to leave a lasting impression.
