Fox identifies Korea’s Masked Singer

US broadcaster Fox has greenlit a local version of South Korean celebrity singing competition show The Masked Singer.

Rob Wade

The programme, which became an online hit via YouTube and is based on King of Mask Singer from Korea’s MBC Entertainment, requires celebrities to disguise themselves before singing an array of hits.

A panel of judges then attempts to identify the performers, with talent including Jenny McCarthy and Nicole Scherzinger among the judges in the US version.

Endemol Shine North America is producing Fox’s version, with Izzie Pick Ibarra and Craig Plestis exec producing.

Rob Wade, Fox’s president of alternative entertainment and specials, described the show as “truly one of the most unique, genre-defining formats I’ve ever seen.”

He added: “It’s a massive international hit, and its boldness and originality make it the perfect fit for Fox.”

The Masked Singer will air in 2019, along with competition series Mental Samurai, which Fox unveiled at its Television Critics Association press tour presentation yesterday.

The latter show, from Warner Horizon Unscripted & Alternative TV along with A Smith & Co Productions, requires contestants to answer questions while being transported around a specially designed set.

In related news, Fox has also ordered another new gameshow exec produced by musician and actor Justin Timberlake.

Spin The Wheel offers contestants the opportunities to win fortunes through trivia questions, strategy and a spin of a massive, unpredictable wheel.

The show, created by Timberlake and Andrew Glassman (The Wall) of Glassman Media, is produced by Tennman Entertainment, Glassman Media and LBI. Timberlake and Glassman exec produce with Rick Yorn and Johnny Wright.

Hosted by actor, director, writer and comedian Dax Shepard, Spin The Wheel is scheduled to premiere during the 2018-2019 season on Fox