Boy Band Night

After an amazing start to Group C last week with Carnival Night, it was time to see them again with Boy Band Night! I was looking forward to this episode, as this is technically a theme night the show has done before, as Boy Band songs were performed on Trolls Night in Season 10, and all the other times that they have brought back past theme nights, the episodes have been great, so I expected it to be the same. As the episode got closer, I found out some more information through the listing on the website The Futon Critic, which was that with the exception of one artist, the other three songs that were going to be performed were from three different Boy Bands than the ones that were featured last time, which I thought was cool, and there were also going to be clues delivered in the episode by Chris Kirkpatrick and Omarion, two past contestants who were also in Boy Bands, which I thought was cool as the show did the same thing when it was Girl Group Night in Season 11.

The first performer of the night was Nessy. In his clue package, he said that he never thought he would be singing a Boy Band song, but he was committed to the bit and loves a good theme night. He then said that back in the height of Boy Band days, music was so competitive, and he was fighting these guys for TRL spots, charts, and CD sales, but there was one Boy Band that kept getting in his way, and that was ‘NSync. He then said that they always seemed to be neck and neck, and it tore up his heart when they constantly came out on top, so when they faced off at a golf tournament, he knew it was his time to settle the feud once and for all, and then he played the worst game of his life. He then said that while they may have had a better score, he got to raise a glass with them and they had a pretty good time, and he realized that just being in the game is huge, and all these years later, he misses that friendly competition, which is why he loves being on the show. Visual clues included a guitar, a fishing pole catching algae, and a bag of popcorn. He then went on to give an amazing performance of “Tearin’ Up My Heart” by ‘NSync, during which he showed off all the power in his voice, and even showed off that he could move around in such a big and restrictive costume. There was also a funny moment during the performance where an audience member played the part of a crazed fangirl trying to get near him while he was singing, and the Men In Black had to hold her back and get her off the stage. After each performance, an additional clue would be presented by Chris Kirkpatrick or Omarion, who would then give the panelists a clue by launching a t-shirt with a clue on it from the Nick Cannon t-shirt cannon. For Nessy, the t-shirt had a heart on it, and Nessy then said that just like the Boy Banders, he is also known for his love songs. I agree with the popular guess on the internet, which is that Nessy is 90s rock singer Edwin McCain. His biggest hits came out in the late 90s just as ‘NSync was starting to gain popularity, so he was constantly battling them on the charts, as well as a recently uncovered TRL class photo showing him sitting directly behind them, the guitar is referring to the fact that he plays the guitar, the popcorn is referring to his song “Popcorn Box,” and he is known for his love songs like “I’ll Be” and “Hearts Fall.”

The second performer of the night was Stud Muffin. In his clue package, he gave some history on Boy Bands, saying that before NKOTB, BSB, and ‘NSync, it started with crooners like The Temptations and The Four Tops, who inspired groups like New Edition, Boyz II Men, and Bell Biv DeVoe. He then said that while he may not be in a Boy Band, he knows what it means to be part of a brotherhood, as they grew up together, blew up together, and there was no limit to what they could do. He then said that when you have a good thing going, people try to poison it, but at the end of the day, nothing can come between him and his team. Visual clues included a necklace in a case wrapped up with chains, Stud Muffin with four other Stud Muffins, a wrapped present, and a jet. He then went on to give an amazing performance of “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe, which was perfect for his voice, and also allowed him to show off some amazing dance moves. After the performance, Omarion brought out the Nick Cannon t-shirt cannon, and launched a t-shirt that listed the ingredients a dash of sugar, a sprinkle of flour, and a Grammy of gold. Stud Muffin then said that all the ingredients were there, and he was extra proud of this one. I was glad to see that Rita stuck with her correct guess last week of Method Man, and I also hoped that she would convince any of the other panelists to go along with her guess.

The third performer of the night was Yorkie. In her clue package, she said that the Boy Band golden era was fabulous, but nothing makes headlines more than a Boy Band scandal, and she knows a thing or two about that herself. She then said that when she broke onto the scene, she was adored, until she found herself wrapped up in a major scandal, paying for someone else’s choices. She then said that her name was in the news, the gossip sites, and even on billboards around town, and as a result, she was dragged through the dirt, but she stayed true to herself and did everything she could to keep her chin up, which she is most proud of, and eventually the truth came out. Visual clues included her name on a billboard, a gingerbread house, and a peach pie. She then went on to give a great performance of “Step by Step” by New Kids on the Block, which was perfect for her voice, and was also a lot of fun. After the performance, Chris Kirkpatrick came back out with the Nick Cannon t-shirt cannon, and launched a t-shirt that said “Touring Up My Heart.” Yorkie then said that her life has been a comedy and a tragedy, but right now it’s real good, as she has been all around the world. I agree with Jenny and the popular guess on the internet, which is that Yorkie is Reality Star Erika Jayne. She filed for divorce from her husband of 21 years in 2020, and after they split, they made headlines with allegations of infidelity and embezzlement, the billboard with her name on it is referring to the fact that her name has been on many billboards, the gingerbread house is referring to her role on “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” the peach pie is referring to her being born in Atlanta, and she also had a tour in 2018 called “Erika Jayne Presents: The Pretty Mess Tour.”
The last performer of the night was Mad Scientist Monster. In his clue package, he said that everybody loves a hunky Boy Bander, but there’s more beneath the frosted tip surface, as at their core, Boy Bands are about chemistry, which is something he knows about. He then said that when he met his boo, it was a festive fall evening, gathered around a full Friendsgiving table. He then said that when their hands brushed passing the cranberry sauce, sparks flew, and he knew right then and there he would marry her someday, but seasons passed, until one sweltering summer day, they reconnected, he serenaded her until her bunsens were burning, and he made her a promise that he would never leave her side for better or worse. Visual clues included a grandfather clock with a thumbs up underneath, a sandcastle, and a cruise ship. He then went on to give an amazing performance of “I Swear” by All-4-One, during which he showed off all the power and emotions in his voice. After the performance, Omarion came back out with the Nick Cannon t-shirt cannon, and launched a shirt that said “BTS and BSB.” Mad Scientist Monster then said that it was an honor to have won the same award as both Backstreet Boys and BTS. I agree with the popular guess on the internet, which is that Mad Scientist Monster is Brian Kelley from Florida Georgia Line. He met his wife at a Thanksgiving party when they were both dating other people, they met again years later after moving on from their previous relationships and sparks flew, the grandfather clock with the thumbs up is referring to his album “Here’s to the Good Times,” the sandcastle is referring to his song “Sunday Service in the Sand,” the cruise ship is referring to his song “Cruise,” and Florida Georgia Line, BTS, and Backstreet Boys have all won Teen Choice Awards, and Florida Georgia Line has even performed with and released a song with Backstreet Boys.

After everyone had performed, it was time for the unmasking, and the singer with the least amount of votes was revealed to be Stud Muffin, which didn’t surprise me. Before he was unmasked, the Crack The Case Clue Case was brought out, and inside was a street sign that said “Stud Muffin District.” I was glad to see that Rita stuck with her correct guess, and that Robin also went along with that guess, but I was surprised that she didn’t convince Jenny. Stud Muffin was then unmasked, and much to Rita’s very obvious delight, he was revealed to be Method Man from Wu-Tang Clan. I found it funny that Rita was so excited to see him that she said she never thought she would see him and that she always thought he was not real. I also found it funny when Method Man said the Stud Muffin costume was picked for him, but when he thought about it, he agreed, and when he said that he couldn’t say how he thought the other Wu-Tang Clan members would react to seeing him on the show because he didn’t think they watch the show, saying that they are older and just catching up to the internet. I also loved that they continued the tradition they started back in Season 8, as after the conversation between the panelists, Nick, and Method Man, he performed his signature song “Da Rockwilder,” and I also thought it was cool that since the song is a duet with Redman, Nick joined in for his parts. 

The final shot of the episode was a sweet one, as it was an In Loving Memory card for past contestant George Foreman, who was the Venus Flytrap in Season 8. As the show didn’t acknowledge him on social media, I was glad to see them acknowledge him during the actual show, and I also loved how they called him “Our Venus Flytrap.”

Overall, this was another amazing episode of Season 13 of The Masked Singer, and I’ll see you all next week for the Group C Finals in Decades Night!