THE fatal coronavirus outbreak has completely halted production “indefinitely” for several major television shows including The Wendy Williams Show.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night With Seth Meyers have also been shut down as the deadly pandemic continues to spread.
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A statement that was sent out to the everyone who works on The Wendy Williams Show read: “To Our Dedicated Wendy Show Staff: The safety and well-being of our employees is our top priority.
“Considering the current escalation of the Coronavirus, production will be put on hold, indefinitely.
“However, the office will remain open for you to pick up any materials or personal items. In place of live shows, we will air repeats.
“And we will continue to monitor the situation with the CDC and city officials to determine the best time to return and produce live shows again.
“Thank you for everything you do and please stay safe,” the spokesperson concluded.
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NBC’s late night programs have also decided they will not tape until further notice.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night With Seth Meyers have paused production through March 30 – though that date could be extended.
Official decisions about the programs will be made later this month, sources told EW.
Jimmy Fallon, 45, will tape his final show before the break tonight and will begin to air repeats tomorrow.
On Thursday night, ABC announced its hit show Grey’s Anatomy will also shut down production effective immediately.
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The long-running medical drama will suspend filming for at least two weeks as a precautionary measure.
“This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of the whole cast and crew and the safety of our loved ones outside of work.
“It was made in accordance with Mayor Garcetti’s suggestion that we not gather in groups of more than 50,” a memo to the show’s cast and crew said of their LA filming location.
Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon’s Apple TV series The Morning Show, will also take a two-week hiatus out of concern for the virus.
The precautionary move was taken out of concern for those working on the show, though no one on set has tested positive.
Earlier this week, talk shows across the board announced they will ban their live audience inside the studio
The Wendy Williams Show said at the time: “Wendy values her co-hosts and their daily participation.
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“But in light of the current health climate, The Wendy Williams Show will not have a live studio audience until further notice.
“We will continue to produce a daily live talk show and look forward to welcoming the studio audience back when the time is right.”
Other series that have gone without a live audience this week include: Live with Kelly and Ryan, The View, The Late Show, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tamron Hall Show, The Daily Show and Watch What Happens Live.
Earlier today, co-host Joy Behar announced she will take time off The View as a safety precaution amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
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The 77-year old said the move was due to her being “in a higher risk group because of my age” but added she is “perfectly healthy.”
According to Variety, the actress and comedian will not return all of next week and will then decide the date of her return after the time off.
Co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Meghan McCain and Sunny Hostin are all scheduled to continue appearing on the daytime program.
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