Recap of the premiere of season 12 of “The Masked Singer”: Leaf Sheep revealed

SPOILER ALERT: Details follow for Season 12, Episode 1 of The Masked Singer, “Season Premiere: Who Can It Be Now?” which aired September 25 on Fox.

As a singer, John Elway is a great football player. The football legend and two-time Super Bowl winner (XXXII, XXXIII) with the Denver Broncos was the first celebrity to be unmasked on “The Masked Singer” when the show's 12th season began on Wednesday night.

For Leaf Sheep, Ken Jeong was right about Elway. Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg thought it was another NFL legend, Tom Brady. Robin Thicke also chose football, with Troy Aikman. Rita Ora said it was Billy Bob Thornton.

Elway sang Tim McGraw's “I Like It, I Love It” during his performance. “I'm a little slow these days,” Elway, as Leaf Sheep, said in the pre-recorded voiceover that introduced his number. “But you should have seen me in my prime. I made a big splash. I made headlines, topped the country's charts and even revived a franchise. And now I'm here to keep the good times rolling.”

John Elway as Leaf Sheep is the first celebrity to be unmasked in this season of “The Masked Singer”.

Season 12 began with a host introducing the show with William Shatner (Season 8, “Knight”). “186 celebrities across 11 seasons of 'The Masked Singer.' The only show that keeps you guessing, wondering and begging to know, 'Who could it be now?'” Panelist Rita Ora then sang a remixed version of “Who Can It Be Now?” by Men At Work.

Returning for season 12 is host Nick Cannon alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke, while Ora also returned to the desk for the second year in a row to fill in for Nicole Scherzinger.

Themed episodes for season 12 of “The Masked Singer” include tributes to Mattel Barbie, who is celebrating her 65th birthday, and the film “Footloose,” which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Miley Cyrus will also be honored with an episode dedicated to her music catalog. Also new are a “Who Are You Fest” featuring music from “memorable festival lineups,” a “Sports Night” and a “'60s Night.” Recurring tentpole themes include “Soundtrack of My Life” and “Thanksgiving Night.”

New this season, clues will be “strategically embedded in costumes, song choices and onstage moments.” And the fifteen celebrity contestants will be assisted by a “masked celebrity ambassador” made up of past contestants, including Dick Van Dyke (Season 9's gnome), Jewel (Season 6 winner as Queen of Hearts), Ne-yo (Season 10 winner as Cow) and DeMarcus Ware (Season 11's koala).

In Season 12, 15 contestants appear in new costumes, including “Ship,” “Leaf Sheep,” “Woodpecker,” “Chess Piece,” “Bluebell,” “Buffalo,” “Show Bird,” “Dust Bunny,” “Slime,” “Some Strawberry,” and more.

Here were the performances in Wednesday's episode 1, “Season Premiere: Who Can It Be Now?”:

buffalo

Song: “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” by Cutting Crew

The panel’s assumptions: B2K, Earth, Wind and Fire, 98 Degrees

Presented by Masked Ambassador: Nick Lachey (Piglet, Season 5)

Ambassador’s voiceover: “I'm so excited to be part of an exclusive group of Masked Singer ambassadors here to support our friends. And my vote goes to the Buffalos. The Buffalos grew up in the barren grasslands and had a tough life. At night they slept in beds filled with cockroaches and during the day they practiced at bus stops.”

Buffalo voice-over: “That's true, Piglet, but it all started thanks to a huge mass event. From then on, it went around the world. The Walk of Fame and the lead role in two of the greatest sitcoms of all time. I hit the jackpot and I couldn't have done it alone.”

More ambassadors: “Buffalo, you are truly a national hero. And always the center of my epic Super Bowl parties. I have no doubt you will stand out from the crowd this season.”

Gift note: Crown.

woodpecker

Song: “Flowers” ​​by Miley Cyrus

The panel’s assumptions: Willow Smith, Cardi B, Halle Bailey, Keke Palmer

Presented by Masked Ambassador: Jenifer Lewis (Miss Cleocatra, Season 11)

Ambassador’s voiceover: “You'll remember I kicked up a storm in season 11. And now I have top secret information on someone I've known since she launched. Woodpecker! She's been called a mogul. A sheik CEO. And she's even made friends with Beyoncé! That bird is a villain.”

Voice of the Woodpecker: “OK, that's a lot to accomplish. I try not to think about it. I just point out that the doors that open are the ones you knock on. So I knock on them all. And now I aspire to be the youngest billionaire. I want to prove that I can do anything. That's why I'm here, singing and dancing. Bring it on!”

More ambassadors: “I believe in you 100 percent. Make Aunt Jen proud!”

Gift note: “World record.”

Leaf Sheep

Song: “I like it, I love it” by Tim McGraw

The panel’s assumptions: Tom Brady, John Elway, Troy Aikman

Presented by Masked Ambassador: Demarcus Ware (Koala, Season 11)

Ambassador’s voiceover: “It was pretty difficult to keep my identity a secret. But I know someone who can do it all. The GOAT! Er, the sheep?”

Voiceover by Leaf Sheep: “That's Leaf Sheep, to be precise. I know you're pretty confused right now. And I was too until three days ago. But Leaf Sheep is real, look it up. I'm a little slow these days. But you should have seen me in my prime. I made a big splash. I made headlines, topped the country's charts, and even revived a franchise. And now I'm here to keep the good times rolling.”

More ambassadors: “Moving in the same circles, I believe your glory days are still ahead of you. Good luck out there.”

Gift note: Hall of Fame trophy.

Show bird

Song: “Just Fine” by Mary J. Blige

The panel’s assumptions: Jennifer Hudson, Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington

Presented by Masked Ambassador: Joel McHale (former guest panelist)

Ambassador’s voiceover: “I would like to introduce you all to a good friend, I’m Showbird.”

Showbird voice-over: “Honestly, I'm just as confused as you are. I mean, I never imagined all this for myself. I was a real tomboy and a real nerd as a kid. Legos, Comic-Con, the whole lot. I thought I'd go about it a little more humble and low key. Humble. Not Bearing My Soul is one of the biggest blockbusters of all time. Unlike Joel here.”

More ambassadors: “I'm laughing because it's really true. I'm jealous. And I know you're a little out of place, but don't worry. Everything will be fine.”

Gift note: Popcorn.

The ship

Song: “Pompeii” from Bastille

The panel’s assumptions: Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osbourne, Enya, Sarah McLachlan

Presented by Masked Ambassador: Jewel (Queen of Hearts, Season 6)

Ambassador’s voiceover: “I was surprised at how much depth the competition had beneath the surface. And I think that will benefit someone I've always had a great relationship with: The Ship.”

The Ship – Voiceover: “I know how quickly things can turn. From anger to calm in the blink of an eye. And my life has been the same. My career took off. I had huge hits, made history, but I lost control. I got lost at sea and felt completely forgotten at times. It took me years to find my way back to shore. But now I've finally had the career I've always wanted. And that's why it's so scary to be here. Because I'm in uncharted waters once again.”

More ambassadors: “That's exactly why I think you should do this. To face your fears head on, like we did together all those years ago. And when you do that, I know you will be unsinkable.”

Gift note: Glittery cowboy hat.

Cast members from the final season included Vanessa Hudgens, who won the season 11 crown as Goldfish, beating Scott Porter, who had appeared as Gumball. Other cast members included Thelma Houston (Clock), Chrissy Metz (Poodle Moth), Corey Feldman (Seal), 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 Greyhound) and Kevin Hart (Book).

“The Masked Singer” is 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 from Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp.