Cover Several events and shows have been affected by the damaging fires blazing through Los Angeles (Photo: Pixabay)
Several events and shows have been affected by the damaging fires blazing through Los Angeles (Photo: Pixabay)
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As emergency personnel race to contain the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, Hollywood is forced into a slowdown as key events and shows are postponed
Thousands of homes have been destroyed and tens of thousands more were forced to evacuate as strong winds fuel wildfires across Southern California. The fires blazed across the sprawling Californian city of Los Angeles, also known as the media and entertainment ‘Mecca’ of the world, which has forced several key events such as the 97th Academy Awards (Oscars) and the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards to be put on hold.
Read more: 8 celebrities assisting in the California wildfires
This has forced Hollywood into a slowdown as the ripple effect has disrupted the film, television, and entertainment industry. Several productions and shows have been delayed in light of the terrible tragedy which has affected the homes of a score of familiar faces in entertainment such as Diane Warren, Paris Hilton, Milo Ventimiglia, Mel Gibson, Adam Brody and wife Leighton Meester, Rosie O’Donnell, and more.
The 97th Academy Awards (Oscars)
The 97th Academy Awards (Oscars) nominations were originally set to take place Friday, January 17, but have been delayed to Sunday, January 19, according to a letter from the academy to its members.
“We want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California,” the letter read. “So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you.”
The timing hasn’t been confirmed.
The 30th annual Critics Choice Awards
The 30th annual Critics Choice Awards, which were originally scheduled for Sunday, January 12, have been postponed to Sunday, January 26 due to the ravaging fires.
“This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected,” Critics Choice Awards CEO Joey Berlin said.
BAFTA Tea Party
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has also cancelled its Tea Party, a key annual stop during awards season and a mainstay of the awards circuit. The event was scheduled for Saturday, January 11, at The Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.
“In light of the dangerous winds and wildfires in Los Angeles, we are cancelling this weekend’s BAFTA Tea Party. The safety of our colleagues, friends and peers in Los Angeles remains our utmost priority and our thoughts are with everyone impacted,” the group shared in a statement to the press.
Above The nominations for the 97th Academy Awards (Oscars) have been delayed to Sunday, January 19 (Photo: Pixabay)
The nominations for the 97th Academy Awards (Oscars) have been delayed to Sunday, January 19 (Photo: Pixabay)
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American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
ABC cancelled Wednesday’s taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the network confirmed to ABC Audio.
Kimmel’s lineup of guests for the cancelled show included Cynthia Erivo from the hit movie Wicked, Brian Jordan Alvarez from the FX series English Teacher, and singer-songwriter Victoria Canal. A previous episode of the late-night talk show will be re-aired instead.
Other ABC projects went dark as well as the production of the shows Abbott Elementary, Grey’s Anatomy, and Doctor Odyssey have been suspended.
Meghan Markle’s Netflix series, With Love, Meghan
On Tuesday, January 2, The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle released the trailer for her highly-anticipated Netflix lifestyle show With Love, Meghan which was set to premiere on Wednesday, January 15. However, the show will now debut on Tuesday, March 4 instead as “we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California”, Markle said.
“At the request of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and with the full support of Netflix, the release of the show–a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of Southern California–has been moved from its previously announced January premiere date to March 4, due to the ongoing devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires,” Netflix said in a statement.
Above The trailer for ‘With Love, Meghan’
Better Man premiere
Paramount Pictures cancelled the Los Angeles premiere of its forthcoming Robbie Williams biopic Better Man on Wednesday, January 8. “Due to the dangerous conditions affecting Los Angeles, we are cancelling tomorrow’s premiere of Better Man. Our thoughts are with those impacted by the devastating fires resulting from these conditions, and we encourage everyone to stay safe and follow guidance and orders from local officials and government agencies,” a Paramount Pictures spokesperson stated.
Unstoppable premiere
The red-carpet screening of Unstoppable, an American biographical sports drama film starring Jennifer Lopez, initially set for DGA in West Hollywood on Tuesday, January 7, was also cancelled due to the fires.
“In light of today’s safety concerns around heightened wind activity and fire outbreaks in Los Angeles, we regret to inform you that we are cancelling tonight’s premiere of Unstoppable. As much as we were looking forward to celebrating this wonderful and inspiring film with you, safety is our first priority. We encourage everyone to watch Unstoppable on Prime Video, which will be available globally on January 16. Thank you for your understanding and please stay safe,” Amazon MGM Studios said in a statement.
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