Virus prompts late shows to drop audiences, '~Survivor' delay

Posted March 11, 2020 7:00 am

By LYNN ELBER

This combination of photos show, from left, host Jimmy Fallon on the set of "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon," on Feb. 3, 2020, from left, host Trevor Noah on the set of "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and host Stephen Colbert on the set of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Jan. 30, 2020. The late night talk shows announced that they will tape their shows without studio audiences due to the new coronavirus. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (Andrew Lipovsky/NBC, from left, Sean Gallagher/Comedy Central, Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via AP) The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The ripple effect of the new coronavirus on the entertainment industry reached late-night and daytime television, a TV fan festival and far beyond to the series 'œSurvivor'ť in Fiji.

Nickelodeon's annual Kids' Choice Awards, set for March 22 in Los Angeles, also is affected. It will be postponed for the 'œsafety and well-being'ť of all involved with the show, the channel said Wednesday.

'œThe Tonight Show'ť and other late-night talk shows in New York announced Wednesday they will tape without audiences, while CBS said that production on the next season of 'œSurvivor'ť was being postponed.

In a statement Wednesday, NBC said it was suspending live audiences for Jimmy Fallon's 'œTonight Show'ť and 'œLate Night with Seth Meyers'ť starting Monday, citing the safety of guest and employees as the 'œtop priority.'ť

CBS announced that 'œThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert'ť also will tape without an in-studio audience, as did Comedy Central's 'œThe Daily Show with Trevor Noah,'ť HBO's 'œLast Week Tonight with John Oliver'ť and Bravo's 'œWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,'ť starting March 15.

'œFor the past several weeks, '~The Late Show' producers have consulted daily to share information with other New York-based late night shows, who will also be moving forward without an audience,'ť CBS said in a statement.

The step was taken based on guidance from New York City officials, CBS said, and out of an 'œabundance of caution regarding'ť the virus and the uncertainty of the situation.

The shows' broadcasts will be unaffected. Not all shows will be without a live audience. 'œThe Talk'ť on CBS will continue with its regular live audience.

Another daytime program, 'œThe Ellen DeGeneres Show,'ť said it will suspend audience attendance starting Monday. The action won't affect the talk show's production schedule, and it will be regularly reviewed, Telepictures Productions said.

Meanwhile, a postponement was announced for PaleyFest LA 2020, the TV festival that was set to begin Friday and run through March 22 with salutes to shows including 'œModern Family" and 'œThe Mandalorian."

Also Wednesday, CBS said production on the 41st edition of 'œSurvivor'ť has been postponed in response to the spread of the coronavirus. Filming was scheduled to begin later this month in Fiji. But CBS now said production will start on May 19, depending on events.

The entertainment sector's response to the unfolding crisis has included cancellation of the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, and delays of events include California's Coachella festival and the release of the latest James Bond movie.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

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AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy in New York contributed to this report.

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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

This undated image shows host Trevor Noah with his audience during a taping of "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah." The show, along with other New York-based late night talk shows "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will tape their shows without studio audiences due to the new coronavirus. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (Comedy Central via AP) The Associated Press

This Feb. 4, 2020 image released by CBS shows host Stephen Colbert, left, greeting the audience during a taping of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in New York. The show, along with other New York-based late night talk shows "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" will tape their shows without studio audiences due to the new coronavirus. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via AP) The Associated Press

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