Coronavirus prompts late shows to drop audiences, ‘Survivor’ delay
ASSOCIATED PRESS
This combination of photos show, from left, host Jimmy Fallon on the set of “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” on Feb. 3, 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.
LOS ANGELES >> The ripple effect of the new coronavirus on the entertainment industry reached late-night television and far beyond to the series “Survivor” in Fiji.
“The Tonight Show” and other late-night talk shows in New York announced today they will tape without audiences, while CBS said that production on the next season of “Survivor” was being postponed.
In a statement today, NBC said it was suspending live audiences for Jimmy Fallon’s “Tonight Show” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers” starting Monday, citing the safety of guest and employees as the “top priority.”
CBS announced that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” also will tape without an in-studio audience, as did Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” and HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.”
“For 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,” CBS said in a statement.
The step was taken based on guidance from New York City officials, CBS said, and out of an “abundance of caution regarding” the virus and the uncertainty of the situation.
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The shows’ broadcasts will be unaffected.
Also today, CBS said production on the 41st edition of “Survivor” 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.
