( rhythmic clapping )
( clapping continues )
craig robinson: It's the biggest dance battle on television.
( music playing )
- yes! - Last week, group b
competed for a spot in the super six...
- You are my favorite. - You're the one to beat.
I was not expecting that.
...And miss moth was eliminated from the competition.
( crowd chanting ) take it off! Take it off!
Craig: Elizabeth smart!
- I told you I had a feeling about this one. - Yes, you did.
Tonight, it's the group a playoffs,
and they're ready for the fight of their lives.
Well, whoever you are, you're phenomenal.
Yes, yes, yes!
One masked celebrity will fall short
of the super six and be forced to unmask.
- Oh, my god! - Oh!
It all starts right now.
( music playing )
♪ who is that?
♪ making big moves, givin' way clues ♪
♪ keep you guessing who
♪ camera on and the music's hot ♪
♪ if you guess right, I just might take it off ♪
welcome to "the masked dancer." I'm your host, craig robinson.
This competition is unseasonably hot for January,
proving global warming is real.
Let's bring out tonight's competitors.
The hammerhead.
( music playing )
the tulip.
The cricket.
And the exotic bird.
Let's say hi to our panel,
a motley crew of tv titans.
Dr. Ken jeong.
Ashley tisdale.
Paula abdul.
And brian austin green
with his first victory of the season,
correctly guessing that miss moth was elizabeth smart.
Don't get cocky, brian.
And who's our guest panelist?
He is an emmy-nominated actor
who's just as pretty as our women in black.
He has a blockbuster-starring role right here on fox
and still finds time to do a podcast.
( music playing )
ken: Oh!
Oh!
- Uh-oh! - Who is it?
Look at that!
Yes! Yeah!
How you doing tonight?
( growling ) can I use my real voice?
Well, let's get him to take it off, y'all.
( crowd chanting ) take it off! Take it off!
Yes, it is the star of "9-1-1 lone star."
- rob lowe! - Ken: Rob lowe!
Great. Great to have you hear, rob.
- Thanks. - You doing good?
This is just a night of great fun.
- I'm psyched to do it. - Excellent, excellent.
Well, take your place on the panel.
- Yes! Come on up. Come on up. - All right.
Last week, we met the dancers of group b.
But tonight is round two of group a.
Four dancers remain, but only three will salsa their way to the super six.
I'm excited to see group a again.
That last group was so amazing.
I can't wait to see what this group does tonight.
- You ready, rob? - Let's do it.
And our first competitor of group a
is the exotic bird.
Last time she performed, the panel guessed everyone
from venus williams to jennifer hudson.
But if those names aren't quite exotic enough for you,
maybe these new clues are.
And remember, when you see this in the clue package,
that's an important clue.
Every single day I'm onstage is a good day.
Last round, my confidence was overflowing.
Yes, yes, yes!
I'm curious to see who you are.
But that wasn't always the case.
Right before the biggest opportunity of my life...
- Big opportunity. - It could be a singer.
- 100%. - I got really sick with a savage bird flu.
I could barely breathe.
There was only one person who could help me-- my mama bird.
She told me, "baby, what you were born with, nobody else has.
That's your gift, and right now it's up to you
if you're going to share it with the world.
This moment will define who you are for the rest of your life."
gold football. Maybe super bowl performance?
With her support, I went out and served up something legendary.
As my mama told me, these hips don't lie.
Ashley: It's apple pie.
Is it somebody from the "american pie" movies?
Tonight, my performance matches the roller coaster ride of my life.
These dance steps are so hard,
pushing and pulling me in different directions.
But with every beat of the song I hit,
I will stand more fierce on my own.
Nothing will get in my way of the super six.
I think she's been through a lot.
And it looked like she was backstage at a stadium,
like a pop star or an athlete.
I'm picking up on shakira vibes,
who has performed at the super bowl.
Hmm.
Craig: After the break, exotic bird will show off her flirty side,
and the rest of group a will fight for their spot in the super six.
Don't go anywhere.
♪ take it off, take it off
welcome back to "the masked dancer"
- group a playoffs. - Yeah!
Now, our first performance of the night.
- It's the exotic bird. - Whoo!
- Yeah! - Yay!
( music playing )
♪ you lift my heart up
♪ when the rest of me is down ♪
♪ you, you enchant me
♪ even when you're not around ♪
♪ if there are boundaries
♪ I will try to knock them down ♪
yes! Lots of confidence.
♪ I feel we're close enough
♪ I wanna lock in your love
whoo!
♪ now I've got you in my space ♪
- whoo! - Yeah!
♪ I won't let go of you
♪ got you shackled in my embrace ♪
♪ I'm latching onto you
♪ now I've got you in my space ♪
- yes! - ♪ I'm latching onto you ♪
( cheering )
whoo! Really good.
I think she's a performer, like, definitely.
Wow. Wow.
What do y'all think about that? Come on.
I'm just impressed with the whole je ne sais quoi
- that you have going on. - Oh, nice!
- Nicely done. - That's what exotic birds say.
- They go "awk"! - "quoi!"
- yeah. - Ashley: You were amazing.
I definitely know you're a performer.
The last time we saw you, you knew how to shake your hips so well.
And then this time, it's just like you know how to work it onstage.
- Right. - And I love that you had this partner,
and it's you were just, like, flirting and enticing him.
I mean, you were getting all the men into you, okay?
I definitely think you're a star.
The way you carry yourself, you're a performer onstage.
I'm not a professional dancer. Shocker, I know.
Brian: Right, yeah.
But I feel like your lines were sharp,
your pirouetting were powerful,
and your other dance metaphor I will come up with later.
- What line? What line? - Great job.
Oh, the line. You know the lines.
The paso doble quick step of it all.
- Got it, got it, got it. - I know what I'm talking about.
So, this clue package really told a lot of tales to me
because it sounded like this was someone who performed at a super bowl.
Immediately, I went to janet jackson...
- Brian: Nice. ■ - ...Because this exotic bird
has a similar physique as janet jackson.
- That's a good one. - That's all I'm saying.
Okay, excuse me, but I know janet very well.
- Well, you know what? - Excuse me.
- Whoa. First of all... - Whoa. Whoa.
...Her name is jackson, if you're nasty.
Ken, that is not janet jackson.
I know how janet moves. This is crazy.
Well, I think because of all those wardrobe malfunctions,
now she is covered from head to webbed toe.
It is definitely-- exotic bird? Janet jackson.
Our panel needs a little help, so let's give them another clue.
It's time to remove the voice modulation.
Remember, this is about hearing the real voice of our celebrities
as much as hearing the clue.
It's time for word up.
♪ word up
♪ it's the code word
♪ no matter where you say it ♪
♪ you'll know that you'll be heard ♪
number one.
- All: Number one. - Janet jackson has many number one singles.
Ken, it's not janet jackson.
Ashley: She has a sexy voice, exotic bird.
Everything's very sexy about her.
- Yeah. - Can I ask a question?
What makes you feel exotic?
Being able to show a different side of myself to all of you.
Okay, okay.
Paula, what did the clues point out to you?
Last time, when I saw you perform,
looking at your height,
I thought you were jennifer hudson.
I'm not so sure now.
In the clue package, I saw the football.
- Yeah. - This young lady's father played in the nfl.
- Ooh! - And you said you like to try
different competitive terrain.
This woman has competed on reality shows,
been an actress in a film.
You also had a clue that said "hard to breathe,"
and you sang a song called "no air" with chris brown.
- Craig: Ah! - I think it's jordan sparks.
- Ken: Jordan sparks. - Jordan sparks. That's a good one.
It's a very good non-janet jackson guess.
Rob lowe, I see the wheels turning.
Rob: Okay, so, here's where I go with this.
I studied the clue package very, very carefully,
and it's clear that there is a deep bond with mother.
- Yep. - But there's a lot of football references in it.
What if it's a woman who's played football?
And then I thought, goldie hawn played football in the movie "wildcats."
- yeah. - Rob: And then I thought,
she gives a lot of advice to her daughter.
- You're kate hudson. - Wow.
- Ken: I like the connecting. - I like kate hudson, for sure.
"almost famous," number one favorite movie
- of almost everybody in america. - Ken: Almost number one.
Almost number one.
Craig: Brian, what'd you pick up on?
So, last week I guessed hope solo,
and that was because of all the sports references in the clues last time,
which I am now un-guessing, based on the performance,
because you know how to work a crowd.
- Ken: Yes. - The one person the clues were taking me to
is megan thee stallion.
I saw a dj setup, so I was thinking somebody
- that's in music and in hip-hop. - Yep.
And then, you know, she said the word--
"savage" was her number-one single,
and she mentioned that in the clue package.
And then there was apple pie, which is for her ep "suga."
- wow. - I think you're on to something.
Ken: Apple pie, it's so american.
What is more american than apple pie?
Megan thee stallion.
Janet jackson in the super bowl,
that's all I'm saying.
Whoever you are, you're phenomenal.
I think we'll be seeing you in the super six.
Okay, okay. All right.
Craig: Will this toucan soar into the super six?
#themaskeddancer and tell us your name.
I'm in a movie with kate hudson. No big deal.
You did a movie with kate hudson.
I did a movie with kate hudson last year.
Does this feel like kate hudson?
Uh...
I don't know who it is!
Coming up...
He is cut, he is ripped.
...The superstars keep dancing
and the guesses keep coming.
It could be ryan seacrest.
Seacrest out.
One masked celebrity won't make the super six.
Take it off!
- What? - Yes!
Don't go anywhere.
♪ take it off, take it off
so good.
Welcome back to "the masked dancer," 'cause why not?
It's the group a playoffs.
Last time, the cricket had the panel laughing so hard
they guessed jim carrey, ryan reynolds,
ashton kutcher, and ian ziering.
But here's a whole batch of new clues for this insect
that might change their mind.
( music playing )
my last performance, I dove into the competition head first.
- Oh! What? - Could be a comedic actor.
Also, he's in a relationship and they're a power couple.
I can't wait to see who you are.
And tonight I'm turning up the energy
with a '90s style routine
that brings me back to where I got my start,
to when I got my big break.
When I was little,
I thought I had something special inside me.
- He could be a swimmer. - Two silver medals.
Oh, he's an olympic medalist.
But you weren't allowed to be different
in the community I grew up in.
- I felt so judged. ■ - the word "judged."
someone who's used to to being in front of an audience, maybe?
But I took a chance and did something just for me.
It was risky, like a knight going into battle.
I could've blown it and had to start back at one.
But it worked!
I fought my way to stardom.
And now that I'm finally being heard...
...Nobody's gonna stop me.
He is not only a star, but a bunch of stars, paula.
Last time, it was vegas and a magic trick.
Now it's an elevator and a pool hall.
Ashley: I don't know.
Craig: Give it up for the cricket!
♪ this is how we do it
♪ this is how we do it, it's Friday night ♪
♪ and I feel all right
♪ the party's here on the westside ♪
♪ so I reach for m-- turn it up ♪
♪ designated driver, take the keys to my truck ♪
♪ hit the shore 'cause I'm faded ♪
♪ honeys in the street say, "monty, yo, we made it" ♪
♪ I'm kind of buzzed and it's all because ♪
♪ this is how we do it
♪ south central does it like nobody does ♪
♪ this is how we do it
♪ if you were from where I'm from ♪
♪ then you would know
♪ that I gotta get mine in a big black truck ♪
♪ you can get yours in a 6-4
♪ I'm kind of buzzed, it's all because ♪
♪ this is how we do it
♪ south central does it like nobody does ♪
♪ this is how we do it
♪ y-n-v, s-c-c
♪ this is how we do it
♪ never come wack on an old-school track ♪
♪ this is how we do it
yeah!
( trills tongue ) cricket!
Oh! What's up, cricket?
Come on! What did y'all think about that performance?
I love everything that you did.
I just saw so much swag.
And, like, you know how to dance.
I think you're so much fun.
Yes, I definitely picked up some old school moves,
and I saw motown in there.
You're not a trained dancer,
but you certainly know how to perform.
- Yeah. - So I'm thinking a musician.
It could be, but the last time I thought you were ashton kutcher,
and I'm still leaning toward an actor
compared to a musician
because you were so committed to this character.
- So committed. - Yep.
- Rob, he's always a cricket. - Yes. Yeah.
- He's always a cricket when he's dancing, too. - Rob: I noticed.
- You're so cool. - Yes!
- You are so cool. - Paula: I have a question.
You're so grounded in the coolness
- that you're bringing to the floor. - Yeah.
Where does the confidence come from?
I get my confidence from my wife.
She's so supportive of everything that I do.
So to know she's there saying she's proud of me
gives me all the confidence in the world.
- Wow. - Aww. So you're obviously happily married.
Okay, time to take the voice modulation off
and play a little game we like to call word up.
♪ word up
♪ it's the code word
♪ no matter where you say it ♪
♪ you'll know that you'll be heard ♪
all-star.
Both: All-star?
- Like an all-star athlete? - He sounds older.
He sounded like donald sutherland.
Oh, wait. All-star like someone who's on a hollywood walk of fame?
Or this might be an olympic athlete we're dealing with.
- Yeah. - Paula: I don't think he's an athlete
or a comedian like we all thought last time.
- Perhaps a musician. - Okay.
Because I definitely saw a lot of vegas clues last time.
- Yeah. - And musicians have residencies in vegas all the time.
But now, with the clue packages today,
I saw a pay phone, and I'm thinking adam levine
has a song named "pay phone."
and he's tall.
But then I saw the knight,
and I heard in the package "back at one,"
which is a brian mcknight song.
Oh.
And there were clocks that have 1:00 on it
in the performance,
so you could be brian mcknight.
- Rob: Ooh! - Oh, that's a good guess.
- I like that. - Tall. He's tall like brian mcknight.
( mumbling ) ♪ one... Two, three
aww.
Have you ever seen brian mcknight dance like that?
- I'm not sure. - Like a cricket? No, I haven't.
I was going back and forth on this one,
I was leaning more toward someone who has a lot of charisma,
maybe a comedic actor like ryan reynolds, based on your personality
and the clue "power couple," with blake lively.
But I think, just in terms of based on the clue package,
this is an athlete.
So this could be michael phelps.
Ah!
If you think about it, judging from the clue package,
pool-theme, gold medals,
and michael phelps is super tall
and lean and fit like cricket.
He's hiding behind you, so I know I'm right.
Paula: That's a good guess, ken.
Rob: I like that guess. But there's another way to go.
Looking at the enthusiasm, the personality,
it's not michael phelps,
but it is ryan lochte.
Paula: Okay.
Brian: I agree with rob.
Last time, I thought right away that's my man ian ziering
because of the vegas clues and the 90210 reference.
Paula: Okay.
But based on the clue package--
there was the swimming and the pool,
there was the stars.
And you know what?
Ryan lochte was on "dancing with the stars."
- rob: Ooh. - Paula: Yep.
So I'm just going to agree with rob.
- I like that. - Yeah.
Well, whoever you are, great job, cricket.
- Whoo! - Ken: Yeah!
Ashley: I can't wait to find out who this is.
I like your guess, by the way.
I don't know if brian mcknight would come on this show,
- but I think it might be him. - Ken: It could be.
But also, brian's so reserved.
I can't see him dancing like that.
This competition is definitely a fight.
Being the youngest in my family,
I've always been fighting for the top.
So I'm ready for the super six.
Craig: Do the panel's cricket guesses bug the heck out of you?
Use the hashtag #themaskeddancer.
After the break, the hammerhead pretends a Wednesday is the weekend,
plus one amazing dancing tulip.
- ♪ who is that? ■ - you're not gonna want to miss it.
♪ who is that?
Craig: Welcome back to a show
that specializes in dancing celebrities
wearing beautiful, expensive,
elaborate, dazzling costumes.
And that's just rob lowe.
Up next, the hammerhead.
If you don't know who this dancing shark is,
maybe these new clues will have some bite.
The best part about this experience
is being here on my own terms.
And last time, I really wanted to show
I could be the life of the party.
- You came out like fire. - Brian: You're an entertainer.
You like having fun in front of people.
But people already know that side,
so this time I'm going to show I'm so much more.
I have layers.
Years ago, when I first entered the public eye,
I had one shot, one opportunity.
I didn't want to lose myself.
But I sort of did.
- Microphone. - Stand-up.
He's gotta be a comedian.
I gave up my dream of being a lawyer.
I was depressed, like I was locked in a cage.
A cage. Like an mma fighter?
Maybe jail?
Eventually, I realized that in order to succeed,
I had to embrace both parts of me--
my fun-loving side and my disciplined side.
And this performance is a combination of both.
- One direction. Could be. - Ooh!
Fear is no longer a factor for me,
though the dance steps are really hard.
What is that, a wedding cake?
Maybe someone who just got married?
I've finally found my purpose in my situation--
to earn my spot in the super six.
Get ready to see a different side of my heart.
Hammerhead out.
- Seacrest out. - Could be ryan seacrest.
He definitely has the height for that.
Good job. I like that.
Craig: Give it up for the hammerhead.
( music playing )
♪ I've been trying to call
♪ I've been on my own for long enough ♪
♪ maybe you can show me how to love ♪
♪ maybe
♪ I look around and sin city's cold and empty ♪
♪ no one's around to judge me
♪ I can't see clearly when you're gone ♪
♪ and I said, ooh
♪ I'm blinded by the lights
- that's tiktok, right? - Yeah. He definitely knows social media.
♪ I'm running out of time
♪ 'cause I can see the sun light up the sky ♪
♪ so I hit the road in overdrive♪
- nice! Wow! - Yeah! Yeah!
♪ oh, the city's cold and empty ♪
♪ no one's around to judge me
♪ I can't see clearly when you're gone ♪
♪ I said, ooh
♪ I'm blinded by the lights
♪ I can't sleep until I feel your touch ♪
- whoo! - Hammerhead!
Craig: Give it up for the hammerhead!
Nicely done!
Wow. Well, what did you think about that performance?
First of all, I'm just stunned with the physical specimen
- that the hammerhead is. - Ken: Right?
- Yes. - Paula: Right?
He is cut, he is ripped, and I was very impressed.
I thought you did a great job, mr. Head.
I just want to give it up. You had your own solo.
- Yeah, you did. - Yes. Yeah, you did.
And that is a tiktok dance challenge,
- that solo that he had, so... - Yeah, it was well done.
- Paula: A lot of footwork. - Yeah.
- It looked like you were having fun. - Ken: Yes.
- Especially with all the women. - Ashley: Definitely. Whoo!
Yeah, I love the energy that you bring out here every time you're out here.
You have complete confidence in what it is you're doing.
Makes me think of someone athletic
because you move like someone who is.
- The moonwalk was amazing. - Yes.
The boy band moves were a lot of fun.
Brian, were you ever in a boy band?
- Well, I had a group with robin thicke. - I was about to say.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah. - We had big plans.
We just-- we didn't officially launch.
- Yeah, yeah. - Yeah.
Craig: All right.
Now it's time to remove the voice modulation
and hear his one-word clue.
It's time for word up.
- ♪ word up ■ - come on! Come on, hammer.
♪ no matter where you say it
♪ you'll know that you'll be heard ♪
heart-breaker.
- Ken: Heart-breaker. - Heart-breaker?
Ashley: His voice sounds familiar.
It's, like, the hard slurred "r" at the end of it.
- Heart-breaker. - Heart-break-err.
- What was that all about? - Ken: Last time I thought
you were someone like carrot top
because of your energy and stature.
But then there was a clue. It said "e."
they had an eye chart. "e."
and that was really prominently featured. "e."
- e, e, e. - E, e.
And who is the king of e! Television?
Yep, you got it. Your boy ryan seacrest.
- Brian: Ah! - He's got a kind of a similar stature.
- Paula: Yeah. - There's a number one on the jersey.
He's number one in television.
I mean, ryan seacrest, you know, he's broken a lot of hearts.
- Back me up, paula. - That was actually a tag of his line.
- Hammerhead out. Seacrest out. - Hammerhead out.
- Seacrest out. - This has got to be ryan seacrest.
- Paula: That's a good guess, ken. - Ken: Yeah!
- Rob lowe. - So I noticed in the clip package
that you talked about "fear is not a factor."
- "fear factor." - oh!
Rob: Someone who is really, really jacked.
- It could be joe rogan. - That's a good guess.
Brian: I think so also, because the last time
I was getting a bunch of lifeguard vibes
and it made me think of zac efron.
But my mind was completely changed tonight.
The stand-up comedy thing.
- Rob: Exactly. - Paula: Yeah.
Last week there was a cup of coffee that said "joe."
- I think this is joe rogan. - It's me and you, man.
- I'm going with joe rogan. - Ken: Wow.
- I agree with you. - Craig: Paula.
The last package I saw, I picked up on boy band.
So I definitely thought it could be joe jonas.
And then after seeing this performance,
you can move, but I think it's more recreational and fun for you.
- Ashley: Yeah. - Ken: Okay.
In the clue package you said that you were depressed.
Did you recently get married?
I love that paula goes from "you seem really depressed.
Did you get married recently?"
brian: Right, right.
Yeah, I'm picking up on things that were said, like,
you felt like you were in a cage.
- And you also said you wanted to be a lawyer. - Yeah.
I was interested in law as a kid,
but life lead me down the path of entertainment.
Looking back, I wish I had stuck with it
'cause then, I could have done my own negotiations
and saved that 10% lawyer fee.
Brian: Yeah, this guy's funny. He's got to be in comedy.
Oh! And there was a microphone in his stand.
- They said there was a situation. - Craig: Ahh.
- And you work out a lot. - Brian: Yeah.
You're mike "the situation" sorrentino.
- Oh! Paula! - Ashley: Oh, yeah.
You were depressed because you were in jail
where being a lawyer would've been helpful.
Oh, and I also saw a wedding cake,
and I know that mike just got married.
So, I definitely think this is, from "jersey shore,"
mike "the situation."
- yes, I like that guess. - Could be him. Could be him.
But then as I'm thinking depressed, marriage,
I think it could be emilio estevez.
Ken: Wow. Whoever you are,
you're aces with me, pal. You're amazing.
You are really fighting for a spot in the super six.
We'll figure you out.
Craig: Can any of our panel's hammerhead guesses groove like this?
Tell us using #themaskeddancer.
I'm super athletic, but when it comes to competitions,
I'm usually on the sidelines.
So I love being here and fighting for a spot in the super six.
Craig: Coming up, the tulip performs a moving number
that may just bring a tear to the eye.
And speaking of crying,
one dancer is headed home tonight.
Don't you miss it.
♪ who is that?
Welcome back to "the masked dancer"
and our group a playoffs.
The last time we laid eyes on the tulip,
we were wowed by her tap skills.
- Yep. - And because we're feeling generous,
here's some new clues about this blossoming talent.
Last time you saw me,
I tapped like there was no tomorrow.
- Ashley: That is a dancer! - Ken: Ridiculous!
I mean, this could be charli d'amelio.
I felt like a rock star.
The toughest part about this competition
has been keeping mum about it to everyone I know.
Oh, look. Chalk. That just screams gymnast.
And especially to my best bud.
We used to be super competitive.
I could see she was so great at everything.
I wanted everyone to see me the same way.
Eventually we realized, why waste time arguing?
Tick-tock, am I right?
Now, day and night, she's always there for me through my struggles.
And whenever I feel frozen in place,
she's the one to hype me up.
- "frozen." - kristen bell, maybe.
And she taught me that to connect with people,
I have to be vulnerable and show emotion,
which is very different from my first performance.
But that's exactly what I'm going to do tonight.
- Paula: Look how cute she is.
Very cute.
I don't even know what to expect from tulip.
- After the tap dancing? - Yep.
I don't know how she can top that.
Craig: Give it up for the tulip!
( music playing )
♪ you'll remember be
♪ when the west wind moves
♪ among the fields of barley
♪ you can tell the sun
♪ in his jealous sky
♪ when we walked in fields of gold ♪
♪ so she took her love
♪ for to gaze awhile
♪ among the fields of barley
♪ in his arms she fell
whoo!
♪ as her hair came down
♪ when we walked in fields of gold ♪
♪ when walked in fields of gold ♪
♪ when we walked
♪ in fields of gold
whoo!
Whoo!
That was amazing.
( no audible dialogue )
craig: So beautiful. Wow.
Congratulations. What did y'all think about that?
- Wow. - Amazing.
That was so amazing.
- Paula: Yes. - Honestly,
- it made me emotional. - Yeah.
Ashley: It was just one of my favorite performances on the show.
Rob: If you'd have told me
that I would end up on this panel
weeping to a dancing tulip,
I would have said, "you're crazy."
but the fact of the matter is, that was awesome.
Ken: Absolutely.
Paula: I just have a question.
Miss tulip, your performance
was packed with so much emotion.
Where does that emotion come from?
Tulip: Well, it wasn't always easy growing up.
I was judged a lot, and it hurt.
But my best bud taught me to use those feelings
whenever I compete and put it into my performance.
- Aww! - Aww.
Last time I saw you, I thought you were ariana grande.
But now after seeing this performance,
I see that you're truly a trained dancer.
- Yeah. - And you perform with so much emotion
that I think you're someone else.
Maybe an actress.
What actresses can dance
who are that petite?
I would say sarah hyland
or even hayden panettiere.
- Ooh. - But I haven't figured you out.
Rob: I think, paula, you're on to something.
There's very few people who could physically
- even fit into the costume. - Right?
I got very distinct gymnast vibes.
- Yeah. - There's something about the planting of the feet
and the arched back that only a gymnast can really do.
- Yeah. - Ashley: I think that could be,
but she's definitely young,
because her body language right now
is what a young girl would, you know--
like, I-- that's how I stand.
- Ken: Yes. - Craig: Okay, panel,
it's time to hear a clue straight from the tulip's mouth.
- Ooh! - ♪ word up ♪
♪ it's the code word
♪ no matter where you say it
♪ you'll know that you'll be heard ♪
princess.
- Princess! - Princess.
Oh, she sounded young. I was right about the young.
So, I think it's something to do with--
it's a young disney star.
Yeah, but that could be, like, her tiktok name.
- Like, "princess something." - I need a lifeline.
I need to call somebody who's under the age of 50.
- Ken: Right? - Well, I heard the phrase "frozen in place."
and princess definitely makes me think of kristen bell.
- Princess anna in "frozen." - oh! I like that guess.
That's a good guess. And there's a bell in the clue as well.
And kristen, I've worked with her. She can dance.
- Yes. - Dance like that, though?
- Yeah! - Craig: Tis?
So, last time I guessed charli d'amelio.
And seeing you dance tonight, I still think you're charli.
Because from the clue package, I head "hype me up."
and that led me to hype house.
Tiktokkers have this house called the hype house.
Plus, charli has a sister named dixie.
They could be competitive, but now they're mending their relationship.
Good for them. Yep.
I mean, I just feel she's a professional dancer,
she can do way more dancing than she does on tiktok,
so this is charli d'amelio.
Ken: Great guess.
You have this whole connection with tiktok that I know nothing about.
- I mean, I tiktok. - It's really.
You tistok.
- Brian? - Okay, so, I'm still
thinking gymnast and not dancer.
Based on the clue package,
I saw chalk in the air with a dollar sign,
which made me think of gymnast simone biles
whose nickname is "simoney," I believe.
I heard "best buds" and "we're a team."
- and she is america's princess. - Okay.
- I am going with simone biles. - Ken: That's a good guess.
Really great.
Hey, rob, you haven't given us a guess yet.
Rob: I know. You know what?
I know my lane.
I try not to get out of it.
Vine is not my lane, nor is tiktok.
You're certain. I'm going with you.
- It's charli. - Yes! Yes!
- Yes. - All right.
Let's hear it for the tulip, y'all. Come on.
Audience, did tulip deliver a performance so beautiful
it snagged a spot in the super six?
Tell us what you're thinking
using the hashtag #themaskeddancer.
All right, it's time to vote.
Dancers, come on out.
Panel, audience,
and our superfans from all over the country at home,
it's time to choose your favorite of the night.
The one with the least amount of votes will unmask.
( no audible dialogue )
all the votes have been counted,
and the dancer from group a headed home tonight,
just shy of the super six...
( music playing )
...Will be revealed after this.
- Oh, man. - Come on.
- Suspenseful. - Rob: Aww!
- Just how you like it. - I wanted to know now!
♪ who is that?
Welcome back to "the masked dancer."
four is about to turn into three.
Only a trio of creatures can advanced to the super six.
And the dancer from group a headed home tonight...
( groans )
I don't want to see anybody go home.
...Just shy of the super six...
Oh, the anticipation's killing me.
( music playing )
cricket!
- Oh, man! - Cricket?
- Cricket. - Aww.
To the rest, congrats.
We'll see you in the super six.
- Yes, cricket! - Yeah!
You put up a heck of a fight, cricket.
- Sorry to see you go. - Good job.
But I can't wait to see who you are.
But first, it's time for our panel
to ask some more super nosy questions
before they make their final guesses.
- Tis. - Have you been famous for a long time?
- Yes. - All right.
- Br-r-rian! - Yes, sir.
Okay, have you ever won an award for your craft?
Oh! Oh, that's a good question.
- Yes. - Ooh!
- Okay. - Ken: Okay.
- Ken. - Okay, are you known for a multitude of things?
- No. - Ooh.
- Paula. - Do you have any baby crickets?
- Yes! - Okay.
- Ooh. Ooh! - Nicely done, paula.
Rob: I have a real serious question.
- Okay. - Can you see into the mask when you're that close?
- Me? No. - You cannot.
So this isn't, like, willem dafoe in that movie where he wore the mask?
Ken:" yeah, he was the green goblin. Yeah. Yeah, no.
We don't dafoe on this show.
- We don't do any of that. - Rob: Okay, good.
But good, good question, rob lowe.
Good question.
Now it's time to hear our panel's final guesses.
- Ashley. - So, there's been a lot of swimmer vibes,
but I'm still leaning towards ashton kutcher.
He played a swimmer in "the guardian."
he was also in "the butterfly effect."
butterfly is a famous swim move.
- Ooh. - And also, you know,
all the previous vegas clues.
He was in "what happens in vegas" with cameron diaz.
So this has to be ashton kutcher.
Ken: I agree with ashley about the swimming background
and I'm doubling down on michael phelps.
- Okay. - He, like the cricket, is tall.
And last week there were gold bars in his package,
and michael phelps has won several olympic gold medals.
- Right. - Tonight there were, like, two medals,
and there was "ph" in the clues,
which is the level of acid in pool water. Look it up.
I feel like all the clues lead to michael phelps.
- All right. Yep. - Brian: You know what?
I think it's definitely a swimmer.
I mean, I think you're on to something with michael phelps.
- Right. - But I'm thinking that it's ryan lochte.
All of the references the pool and racing and the medals,
the size matches the stature, so final answer for me, ryan lochte.
Rob: We are in agreement, brian, I think.
- We're both sticking to ryan lochte? - I'm sticking with ryan lochte.
- The water elements, physical specimen. - The medals, yeah.
The enthusiasm, the personality, and I'm sticking with ryan.
Brian: Yeah.
Paula, the floor is yours.
I think you're a singer. "back at one" is a brian mcknight song.
- Ken: Oh. - "love of my life" is another song of brian mcknight's.
- Oh. - Brian mcknight has baby crickets, too.
- Ashley: That's true. - I definitely think you're brian mcknight.
Okay, panel, these are your final guesses.
Let's all see who's behind the mask.
Audience, day it with me.
( chanting ) take it off! Take it off!
♪ take it off
- ken: Oh! - Oh!
16 time grammy award nominee, r&b legend brian mcknight.
- You did it! - Oh, my god, paula!
- Craig: Paula called it! - Aah!
- Craig: Paula abdul! - Yes!
I'm so excited that brian mcknight is here.
- I can't believe that. - Thank you so much for being here.
- What an honor. - Ken: We have wanted you on "the masked singer"
for a long time, so for you to be on the inaugural season
- of "the masked dancer." - ashley: Yes.
Why "masked dancer" and not "masked singer"?
The way I sound, you'd probably be able to pick me.
But this, even though those were the most obvious clues on planet earth,
but it was fun because nobody knew it was me except paula, so...
- I'm so excited! - Ken: Paula!
- Yeah, we were way off. - Ken: Paula abdul.
- You were great as the cricket. - Thank you.
Great job. And you're in character, like, you just kept it through. That was amazing.
- You did. - Yeah, what was it like being anonymous and in character?
Well, being anonymous was great because I don't dance, so...
- You did great. - It's more of a motown thing.
- Yeah, yeah, love it. - Brian: I'm blown away.
It is an absolute honor to have you here and to meet you.
I've been a huge fan of yours forever.
I just wasn't expecting that to be brian mcknight.
- Obviously, stupid me. - Ah, you'll get used to it.
- Brian: Yeah. - What about the "90210"?
I just put that together. No, no, no. You were on the soundtrack of "90210."
- yeah. I was also on the show, too. - Oh, my god.
- And the clocks were set to one for ♪ one - for "back at one," yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
- Oh, how do you say it, craig? - ♪ one
- ( overlapping chatter ) - let's hear it one more time for mr. Brian mcknight.
Brian!
Craig: Next week, it's the moment you've been waiting for,
our best dancers from group a and b
battle it out in the super six.
Ashley: Whoo!
- Group a killed it tonight. - Yes.
But right now, here to dance unmasked once and for all,
the artist formerly known as the cricket,
- brian mcknight. - Yes!
- Ken: Yeah! - ♪ this is how we do it ♪
( music playing )
♪ this is how we do it
I can't believe it's brian mcknight.
- How cool is that? - ♪ I feel all right
♪ the party is here on the west side ♪
- ♪ so I reach for my... And I turn it up ♪ ■ - go, craig! Go, craig!
- Whoo! - All right!
Ken: Yes!