By Joshua Rom
IT’S CLEAR that The Masked Singer is a huge asset to the ITV schedule. From the reaction of viewers at home, it seems that the competition is the epitome of primetime Saturday night telly at it’s best.
Alongside the likes of Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain’s Got Talent, the guessing game is one of the top three entertainment shows for the broadcaster as up to seven million people tune in to watch.
When we look at the show, we have a real mix of personalities involved. Joel Dommett’s unique style as a host is carefully balanced by the sharp and witty panel of judges. We have singing star power in the form of Rita Ora, veterans of the business in the form of Davina McCall and Jonathan Ross and comedy value from Mo Gilligan.
The dynamics of the panel work perfectly as Jonathan would take sarcastic jibes at Rita as Davina and Mo would be in hysterics
Last series Rita was forced to take time of the show as she had other commitments across the pond. Huge names such as Nicole Scherzinger, Olly Murs and Jennifer Saunders took her place.
Rita’s star is only on the rise in Hollywood and she’s set to star in a new film alongside the likes of legends such as Robert De Niro and Jamie Foxx in Tin Soldier. This is alongside her marriage to Academy Award winner Taika Waititi.
Clearly not happy with a part-time panelist and a rotating roster of guest judges, ITV bosses have chosen another name to take her place as Love Island star Maya Jama will join the panel. We don’t need to be worried about Rita as she will still be on the US edition.
Maya is a clear favourite amongst telly fans as they love to see her front a show like Love Island and let’s be honest, she’s the perfect fit for it. She is stunning to watch, she’s always on-trend, and very much appeals to the young fan base that flocks to the ITV2 dating show.
But The Masked Singer is a different show on a different channel. Maya is no doubt well versed in the world of television, but she will be surrounded by stars on the panel with decades more experience on air and with more universal appeal. Rita also has huge star power thanks to all her work in the music industry with several hits under her name, something which – despite her undoubted recognition as a star presenter – Maya just does not have.
By some, this could be considered as a risky move for ITV. Especially as networks fight to retain the loyalty of viewers in an age of Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+. With such drastic replacement in the panel and the inevitable shift in dynamics, the show is clearly about to change.
