The wait is over: Maskorama is back. Once again, seven celebrities, behind their own masks, will do their best to entertain us TV viewers.
Those who do not entertain well enough must take off their masks and reveal their true selves. Those who create the best atmosphere can expect to receive points from the viewers, allowing them to keep their identity hidden and continue in the show.
The guessing game is underway, but while we guess and wait for answers: I’ll roll the dice on the premiere episode of this year’s Maskorama. The ratings will be based on how much each contestant entertains me. If I’m bored, it could easily become a rating of 1.
Maria Ludvigsen
Maria Ludvigsen is the SoMe manager and entertainment commentator at Nettavisen. She has previously made her mark as a “Shall We Dance” commentator and likes to have an opinion about everything that crawls and walks in Norwegian and international entertainment.
1. Stein – I’m still standing (Elton John)
What can I say? Totally okay, nothing more or less. I think there might be a good voice here, but it really feels a bit flat? A bit standard? I’m not entertained. I actually don’t think the mask/costume lives up to expectations either. A disappointing start!
Rating 3
2. The Mummy – Circle of Life (Lion King)
When you choose such a song, you MUST be ready to create goosebumps. The voice is nowhere near giving any hint of goosebumps – but fortunately, this is a well-executed performance. I get a little, but only a little, goosebumps from the show. Unfortunately, this is completely overshadowed by how painful it is to listen to. It’s quite a feat to sing more off-key and worse. Who on earth could this be? Let’s hope the panel is right, that this is Durek Verrett.
Rating 2
3. The Musk Ox – Like I Love You (Justin Timberlake)
I was hoping to be captivated. I wasn’t, but: There’s a lot of good dancing here and I’m somewhat entertained. Singing well, and moving like a god. I believe the Musk Ox can grow strong and big, and maybe take us by storm at some point. Stolteberg suggests this could be Danby Choi, which would be hysterically funny.
Rating 4
4. The Happy Fish – Feeling good (Michael Bublé)
Folks, now we really have to get to work: This is truly a very familiar voice? Under this mask hides the big artist of the year, I believe. A happy fish that makes me happy – I was entertained. It was actually just short of giving me chills, maybe I’ll get that next time – because it won’t be this mask that falls today.
Rating 5
5. The Food Monster – Hæljetur (DJ MøMø, Hagle)
someone who just takes the room and surprises me a bit! It is anything but pleasant to listen to, but for some strange reason, it’s a bit funny. There’s also a somewhat amusing voice here! Could this be Else Kåss Furuseth? The song choice is actually poor, but somehow the person makes it work? Hard to give a rating, but let me put it this way: I have faith in this.
Rating 3
6. The Vampire – Murder On The Dancefloor (Sophie Ellis-Bextor)
I can’t believe I’m guessing this, but could it actually be Sophie Elise? Is the name of the artist singing the song a hint in itself? Anyway, I was impressed. So far, the best of the evening. Entertaining and fun, I dance while I watch!
Rating 6
7. The Professor – ChaChaCha (Käärijä)
When ChaChaCha didn’t win Eurovision, I popped the champagne and went to town on the confetti cannon. I had hoped not to hear it anymore. It’s quite a feat to be worse than the original, but the professor managed to make it even more dreadful. I bet this is an influencer.
Rating 1
Interview between Time.news Editor and Maria Ludvigsen
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Maria! It’s great to have you here to talk about the much-anticipated return of Maskorama. With the premiere episode behind us, what are your initial thoughts on this season?
Maria Ludvigsen (ML): Thank you for having me! The premiere definitely set an interesting tone for the season. It’s always a guessing game, but this year feels particularly electrifying. The blend of celebrity intrigue and entertainment makes it irresistible!
TNE: Absolutely! Let’s dive into some specific performances. Stein kicked off the show with “I’m Still Standing.” What did you make of his performance?
ML: Honestly, I found it a bit underwhelming. The voice was solid, but it didn’t really grab me. The costume—the whole aesthetic—just didn’t live up to the excitement that the song should bring. I rated it a 3; it needs to pull itself together or risk getting lost in the shuffle.
TNE: A fair critique, indeed. And how about The Mummy’s rendition of “Circle of Life”? That’s a classic!
ML: Oh, the choice of song was bold, but it really fell flat in execution. When you choose such an iconic piece, there’s a certain level of expectation, and I felt it lacked the emotional depth. I rated it a 2 because while the performance was polished, the singing was painfully off-key. I couldn’t help but wonder who was behind the mask!
TNE: Who do you suspect might be The Mummy? Any guesses?
ML: There’s speculation that it could be Durek Verrett, which in itself would be a twist! I’d be curious to see if the identity matches the performance style.
TNE: Intriguing! Now shifting gears, what did you think about The Musk Ox and their performance of “Like I Love You”?
ML: Now we’re talking! I was hoping for something that would captivate me, and while it didn’t fully reach that point, you could see the potential. The dancing was impressive, and while the singing was decent, it had enough entertainment value to keep me engaged—definitely a step up from the earlier acts. I gave it a rating of 4.
TNE: Sounds like The Musk Ox might be on the verge of a breakthrough! Lastly, we must mention The Happy Fish and their take on “Feeling Good.” How did that sit with you?
ML: The Happy Fish brought a refreshing performance that I genuinely enjoyed. The energy was infectious, and it felt like they were really trying to connect with the audience. It’s performances like this that elevate the show and keep viewers invested. I can’t wait to see how they develop further in the competition.
TNE: It’s clear that your ratings are thoughtful and engaging! As a SoMe manager and entertainment commentator, how do you think Maskorama taps into the audience’s expectations?
ML: Maskorama hits the sweet spot between anonymity and allure—the mystery of the masks keeps viewers coming back. People love to guess and speculate, and when the performances are paired with a lack of identity, it sparks a whole new layer of entertainment. The stakes are high, and that combination is what drives ratings!
TNE: Well said, Maria! As the season progresses, what will you be looking for in the upcoming performances?
ML: I’m keen on seeing how contestants evolve as they feel the pressure to entertain. The artistry in their performances will be crucial—entertainment is the key! I’ll be looking for more creativity and a deeper emotional connection to the songs. And let’s be honest, I hope for some surprises along the way!
TNE: We’re all hoping for surprises! Thank you, Maria, for sharing your insights. It’s going to be an exciting season, and we can’t wait to see how it unfolds!
ML: Thank you! I’m looking forward to it as well!