Fox cannot get enough of The Masked Singer — or panelist Ken Jeong. As the fourth season of TV’s top reality competition nears its end, the network has renewed it for a fifth to air in 2021. Jeong has also been tapped for the channel’s annual New Year’s Eve telecast.
The Masked Singer has been a boon to Fox, especially COVID-19 has made alternative programming so much easier to safely produce. Premiering to surprisingly big numbers at the top of 2019, the most current ratings returns have the fourth season averaging a 2.5 rating among adults 18-49 and 11.5 million multi-platform viewers this season. Earlier in 2020, a post-Super Bowl episode brought in 24 million viewers.
“I’m so happy to announce a new season of The Masked Singer,” said Fox Entertainment president of alternative and specials Rob Wade. “This show brings joy to so many families across the country, especially during these trying times, and we can’t wait to get even more celebrities suited up in crazy costumes for an hour of pure fun every week.”
The Masked Singer is hosted by Nick Cannon with a panel roster of Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke. All are expected to return for season five.
As for Jeong, Fox keeps cutting the comedian checks. In addition to his panelist work on The Masked Singer (and companion series I Can See Your Voice and upcoming entry The Masked Dancer), Jeong is getting a New Year’s Eve special. Fox’s New Year’s Eve Toast & Roast 2021 (working title) will be emceed by Jeong and his former Community co-star Joel McHale. The live special will film in Los Angeles with a to-be-announced roster of musical performances and guests. The duo replace Steve Harvey, who Fox had given the New Year’s Eve time slot in recent years.
“Ken and Joel together are one of the funniest duos out there,” added Wade. “These two have been toasting and roasting each other on national television for years, so they were the perfect pair to ring in the New Year. Also, we love Ken so much, we wanted to squeeze in three more hours of him before the New Year.”
This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.