Not a surprise. FOX is renewing The Masked Singer for season 8. The silly singing show’s ratings have diminished in the past few cycles, but it still puts up solid numbers for the network. The show has settled into a 0.6 rating in the key 18-49 demo. That number does not include streaming and DVR numbers that accrue after the show is broadcast.
FOX has not put up its fall schedule yet, but expect the network to keep The Masked SInger on Wednesdays at 8 pm where it has resided since its premiere in 2019.
Meanwhile, the network brass became downright belligerent when asked if they regret casting Rudy Giuliani on The Masked Singer season 7. Deadline “spoiled” the casting without giving away Giuliani’s costume (Jack in the Box) or when exactly his segment would be scheduled. The episode finally aired in week 7, with the editing minimizing what Deadline described as a crapshow. The show didn’t dwell on judge Ken Jeong walking off set in disgust, with Robin Thicke right behind him. The audience was shocked, reportedly. But the show edited them as if they were enjoying the spectacle.
But Rob Wade, the president of alternative entertainment & specials told reporters on a conference call Monday morning that he would do it again.
“Yeah, absolutely no regrets,” Wade said. “The marketing is all about delivering jaw dropping moments, which is exactly what the casting accomplished. And whether it was on set or with the viewers at home I suppose my only regret or surprise was obviously the reveal was spoiled [by the press], but kudos to you guys. Just please don’t do it again. Thanks a lot.”
Does FOX have a line they won’t cross? Probably not
His only regret is that Giuliani’s casting leaked? He’s probably lying because I suspect the network leaked the spoiler to Deadline. No way in hell would an outlet that lives and dies by the access they get to executives and stars, go rogue like that. Somebody in the network leaked it to them to create buzz for the season.
What’s next? O.J Simpson probably needs a job. Or how about Bill Cosby? He could dress like a giant vat of Jello. Kevin Spacey could use a job, I’m sure. Is there a line the network won’t cross? Does it all come down to eyeballs and clicks? But then consider the right wing propaganda FOX News airs, and the kind of heinousness it inspires and then…well…
More FOX Renewals
FOX is also renewing dramas 9-1-1: Lone Star (Season Four) and The Cleaning Lady (Season Two); comedies Call Me Kat (Season Three) and Welcome to Flatch (Season Two); animated series The Simpsons (Season 34), Family Guy (Season 20), Bob’s Burgers (Season 13), The Great North (Season Three) and Housebroken (Season Two); and other unscripted series Crime Scene Kitchen (Season Two) and, as previously announced, Hell’s Kitchen (Season 21). Additional series renewals to be announced.
New series include the country music drama Monarch starring Susan Sarandon, Trace Adkins and Anna Friel. The political conversations on set must be quite lively.
