Detectives (judges) on The Masked Singer. From L - R: Skhumba Hlope, Somizi Mhlongo, Sithelo Shozi and J'Something | Picture: Supplied / Primedia
South African media personality Anele Mdoda is in her television production bag. Hot on the heels of bagging her first Netflix production in the form of Ludick, starring South African export Arnold Vosloo, Mdoda and her partners are bringing the South Korean concept of The Masked Singer to South Africa.
In a press release announcing the project, producers promised “all is about to be revealed, the top trio behind The Masked Singer South Africa, the celebrity panel, the allure of the host, and the spell of captivating costumes and masks”.
The television reality show, The Masked Singer, with broadcasts in over 50 countries, is top of pops for audiences across the globe.
“In the United States, it is one of the most-watched reality competition shows. Today, the show, based on the South Korean Masked Singer, is an international phenomenon.”
The concept of the show is for celebrated personalities and entertainment superstars to sing well-known songs while bejewelled in full-body costumes and masks, to hide their identities.
“The flamboyant masks and costumes have a personality of their own, and invite as much commentary as the performances themselves do. A celebrity panel of detectives must guess who is behind the mask.”
The studio audience is also a rich component of the show, voting together with the celebrity detectives for their favourite performance.
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The least popular performers are eliminated, but not before she or he removes their costume and mask to reveal their true identity.
“Take it off”, “Take it off”, roars the audience, along with the judges, in an electric atmosphere, followed by shrieks of surprise and delight as the celebrity is unmasked.
Calling themselves “a trinity of media players in South Africa”: the SABC, Primedia, and Anele Mdoda’s production company, Rose and Oaks, have teamed up to develop and broadcast a local version of The Masked Singer to the nation’s ready audience.
“For years now, we have been wanting to offer this show to our audiences – it is one of the hottest reality show properties in the world and now at last South Africa will have its very own version. This thanks to the collaboration of SABC, Primedia and Rose and Oaks Media. Our audiences are in for a real treat,” said The SABC Head of Local Productions, Lala Tuku.
“The show is an entertainment festival, with its magical music, wizardly of masks, and splendour of costumes. This is the biggest musical mystery show on the planet and for our local audiences,” she added.
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“Investing in and developing world quality content is intrinsic to the DNA of Primedia and a pivot for the Group’s growth strategy. We are delighted to have been able to facilitate the production of The Masked Singer by Rose and Oaks for the SABC. We wish Anele and Lala every success with this world-class show,” commented Lindile Xoko, Primedia Group’s Chief Revenue Officer.
The 947 host and her partners, Paul Buys and Frankie Du Toit, are ready to fire up the media and entertainment industry as her production company, Rose and Oaks, sets its sights on licensing top international programming for local audiences, and on creating new formats that can be sold internationally.
“The Masked Singer is the new wave of music shows that has had viewers across the world enthralled for the last three decades. We remember how The Shell Road To Fame show in South Africa many years ago got families sitting together to back their favourites.
“The Masked Singer is the new generation of singing shows and I am certain South African audiences will embrace this show with the same passion and intensity that they did the earlier generation singing competition shows,” explained Mdoda.
According to producers, every element of the show has been carefully selected from the costumes to the host to the panel of detectives.
Additionally, the masks, designed by Rose and Oaks Media, have been localised to reflect the best of what South Africa has to offer.
The high energy and fresh faced Mpho Popps will host the show.
His winning sense of humour and inquisitive nature is what is required in “a detective show like this”, Anele Mdoda said.
“He is a newcomer to the shiny floor format and he is the perfect person to guide the viewers down this tunnel of fun.”
J’Something of MiCasa fame, will be part of the detective panel and is said to be bringing immeasurable musical acumen and gravitas.
He will be joined by the polarising and iconic Somizi, choreographer of choice to well-established and up-and-coming stars. His encyclopaedic knowledge of the industry and anecdotal musical wisdom makes him a perfect panelist.
In a surprise move from producers of The Masked Singer, the ever-topical and entertainment-savvy Sithelo Shozi has been added to the judging panel.
Described as a real trendsetter, Sithelo is expected to be a vivacious and popular detective.
Rounding out the judging panel is funny man Skhumba. Skhumba is a seasoned entertainer and actor whose larger-than-life personality is expected to enchant and excite contestants and audiences.
Producers conclude by stating that South Africans can expect a fanciful show, filled to the brim with fun, but in the end, it is, in the words of Anele Mdoda, “a good old family show”.
Mdoda concluded by commenting that “television consuming habits have become very scattered; families consume content in isolation. This show is sure to have the whole family in front of the TV at the same time. It is the intrigue, the guessing, the unexpected and the fabulous that will pull in toddler to granny”.
The Masked Singer South Africa launches in the second quarter of 2023 as a weekly show on SABC 3 and on SABC 1.
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