‘The Masked Singer’ Season 12 Episode 3 Recap: Ship, Woodpecker Reveal

SPOILER ALERT: Details follow for Season 12, Episode 3 of “The Masked Singer,” “Soundtrack of My Life Night,” which aired October 9 on Fox.

I don’t want to wait, for “Masked Singer” to be over/ I want to know right now, who will it be?

You’re in luck, Dawson. Revealed on Wednesday night’s edition of “The Masked Singer” were two eliminated celebrities: Singer Paula Cole, whose hits include “I Don’t Want to Wait” (used famously as the theme song for “Dawson’s Creek”), as well as “Black-ish” star Marsai Martin.

Cole was revealed to be the star under the Ship costume, while Martin was singing under the guise of the Woodpecker.

Panelist Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg figured out the Ship was Paula Cole. Ken Jeong though it was Alanis Morissette. Robin Thicke named Amy Lee from Evanescence. Rita Ora said it was Sarah McLachlan.

“I did not know about the show,” Cole told Variety. “ They approached me, and I had to kind of check my my snobbery at the door and do a little research. I started watching the show to kind of understand it. And then embrace what was a lot of fun and something that was actually joyful. Having an alter ego is freeing and fun. I like being the Ship. I actually miss her a little bit.”

Cole said she wouldn’t have done the show if she had been given “some furry amoeba costume. But they offered me this beautiful, statuesque creation. It reminded me of my mother’s art projects. I just needed a lot of height and a wide berth when I was walking through doorways, but I felt agency and some power in her and I loved dancing. I loved my anonymity behind her mask.”

As for Woodpecker, no one figured out Marsai Martin. Thicke guessed Liza Koshy. Ora named Keke Palmer. Jeong said it was Quinta Brunson. McCarthy-Wahlberg went with Tatyana Ali.

“Soundtrack of My Life Night” opened with Buffalos, the Ship and Woodpecker performing “High Hopes,” by Panic! At The Disco. Woodpecker was first to be eliminated, and then the Ship and Buffalos faced off in a battle royale, performing “Go Your Own Way,” by Fleetwood Mac. Ship was then voted out, which means Buffalos won Group A and move on to the quarterfinals.

Paula Cole as Ship and Marsai Martin as Woodpecker join Yvette Nicole Brown as Showbird and John Elway as Leaf Sheep as the celebrities unmasked on “The Masked Singer” Season 12.

Back for Season 12 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke, while Ora also returned to the desk for the second consecutive season to fill in for Nicole Scherzinger.

“The Masked Singer” Season 12 themed episodes include tributes to Mattel’s Barbie as it hits its 65th anniversary, and the film “Footloose” as it marks its 40th anniversary. Miley Cyrus will also be honored with an episode devoted to her music catalog, while also new is a “Who Are You Fest,” featuring music from “memorable festival lineups,” as well as a “Sports Night” and a “60’s Night.” Tentpole themes that are back include “Soundtrack of My Life” and “Thanksgiving Night.”

New this season, clues will be “strategically embedded in costumes, in song choices and on-stage moments.” And the fifteen celebrity contestants will be endorsed by a “celebrity Masked Ambassador,” made up of previous participants including Dick Van Dyke (Season 9’s Gnome), Jewel (Season 6 winner as the Queen of Hearts), Ne-yo (Season 10 winner as the Cow) and DeMarcus Ware (Season 11’s Koala). And the “Ding Dong Keep It On” bell is also back this morning, but only one singer across the three group finals can be saved.

Season 12 features 15 contestants performing in new costumes including “Ship,” “Leaf Sheep,” “Woodpecker,” “Chess Piece,” “Bluebell,” “Buffalo,” “Showbird,” “Dust Bunny,” “Goo,” “Strawberry Shortcake” and more.

Here were the final Group A performances on Wednesday’s Episode 3, “Soundtrack of My Life Night”:

The Ship

Song: “Because the Night,” by Patti Smith Group

Panel guesses: Alanis Morissette, Sarah McLachlan, Norah Jones, Joan Osbourne, Paula Cole

Time capsule clue: “Congrats on the best new artist win. You are a true leading lady. — LeAnn, 1998.” “This note is from one of the most treasured moments of my career. And it meant the world to receive recognition from such a talented woman like LeAnn Rimes.”

The Ship voiceover: “I’m so proud to have steered my way into the Group A finals. I’ve always trusted my heading. Even when it was risky. Tonight I’m singing ‘Because the Night’ by Patti Smith, and I’ll tell you why. There was a time when I found myself shipwrecked. Broke. Living off a $2 burrito a day. Half for lunch, half for dinner. So naturally, I jumped at the chance to sing at an international tour. As thrilling as it was, I knew I had my own stories to tell. I realized that I rather would be driving myself around in a rental car, singing my truth, and taking that chance started the tidal wave of my career. And you know, I took a risk being here because it’s so unlike me. But it’s already so rewarding.”

Previous songs: “Pompeii,” by Bastille; “Almost Paradise,” by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson

Previous panel guesses: Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osbourne, Enya, Sarah McLachlan, Kate Bush, Amy Grant, Sheryl Crow

Woodpecker

Song: “Put Your Records On,” by Corinne Bailey Rae

Panel guesses: Liza Koshy, Quinta Brunson, Tatyana Ali

Time capsule clue: Tree trunk.

Woodpecker voiceover: “”I am all atwitter to be here in the Group A finals. And I know my family is rooting for me in the wings. Tonight, I chose a song for them. See, I come from a long line of strong chicks in my family tree. And all of us lived under one roof. Talk about a lot of perfume, pantyhose and pink! My great grandmother introduced me to jazz and Ray Charles and passed on her love for music. Girl, did we put those records on! Team vinyl over here. My maternal grandmother gave me the courage to go after my dreams. And I so wish she lived to see them realized. And my other grandmother instilled in me the greatest love of all, a love for the Masked Singer, which we always watch together. It’s on eof the reasons I’m here/ My performance tonight is a tribute to all of the women that gave parts of themselves to me so I could fly. So hang with me as I put one of my favorite records on. I see you, great grandma.”

Previous songs: “Flowers,” by Miley Cyrus; “Holding Out for a Hero,” by Bonnie Tyler

Previous panel guesses: Willow Smith, Cardi B, Halle Bailey, Keke Palmer, Letitia Wright, Regina King

Buffalos

Song: “Bittersweet Symphony,” by The Verve

Panel guesses: B2K, Boyz II Men, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Black Eyed Peas

Time capsule clue: “Halftime show.” “This halftime show t-shirt has aged over time like us, but we can tell you this performance was in front of one of the biggest audiences in the world.”

Buffalos voiceover: “Who would believe that we’d be here in the Group A finals and tonight, we are digging deep. That’s right, we chose ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ because we’ve learned that sometimes the hardest parts of life are when we’re forced to be the most harmonious. As we made it big, we had one cowboy who helped guide us and inspire us the most. He was our everything to us. He was a real MacGyver too. Always fixing stuff. But we lost him, suddenly. We felt heartbroken. How could God do this to us? We didn’t feel like we could go on. We sang as we put him to rest, thinking it would be our last time. But we knew he would have wanted us to keep the herd together. So that’s what we did. And while there’s a MacGyver shaped hole in our hearts, everything we do is for him. Including this performance. And hopefully he sees us make it to the quarterfinals. From wherever he’s watching tonight.”

Previous songs: “(I Just) Died In Your Arms,” by Cutting Crew; “Waiting For a Girl Like You,” by Foreigner

Previous panel guesses: B2K, Earth Wind and Fire, 98 Degrees, Bell Biv DeVoe, 112, Boyz II Men, Big Time Rush

Last season’s performers included Vanessa Hudgens, who won the Season 11 crown as Goldfish, beating out Scott Porter, who had performed as Gumball. Other performers included Thelma Houston (Clock), Chrissy Metz (Poodle Moth), Corey Feldman (Seal) and Clay Aiken/Ruben Studdard (Beets), Jenifer Lewis (Miss Cleocatra), Kate Flannery (Starfish), Charlie Wilson (Ugly Sweater), DeMarcus Ware (Koala), Colton Underwood (Love Bird), Sisqó (Lizard), Billy Bush (Sir Lion), Joe Bastianich (Spaghetti & Meatballs), Savannah Chrisley (Afghan Hound) and Kevin Hart (Book).

“The Masked Singer” comes from Fox Alternative Entertainment. Rosie Seitchik, Craig Plestis and Cannon are executive producers, while Seitchik serves as showrunner. The series is based on the South Korean format created by Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp.