Last Wednesday, January 8, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, starring Jimmy Kimmel (The Kimmel Show, The Oscars), CBS’ After Midnight, starring Taylor Tomlinson (Quarter Life Poetry, The Comedy Lineup) and The Price Is Right, starring Drew Carey (The Drew Carey Show, Whose Line Is It Anyway?) all suspended tapings due to the rapidly escalating wildfires devastating areas of Los Angeles, including Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena. As the fires ravaged these cities, each program, which relies on live studio audiences, stopped production for the remainder of the week. According to Deadline, the decision was made in response to the growing threat to the safety of the cast and the audience.
Sources confirmed to Deadline that Jimmy Kimmel Live! plans to resume taping on Monday, January 13. However, The Price Is Right and After Midnight are expected to remain paused through at least Monday and Tuesday, January 14, respectively. A Deadline report cited a studio insider stating, “Given the unpredictable nature of the situation, we are following all safety protocols and adjusting as necessary.” Jimmy Kimmel Live! is filmed at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, while After Midnight is recorded on the Paramount Studios lot. The Price Is Right tapes at Haven Studios in Glendale.
As the wildfire continues to wreak havoc in Los Angeles, the halt in production serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of natural disasters. With many areas under mandatory evacuation orders, local emergency crews are working tirelessly to contain the fires, and productions across the city have made similar adjustments to ensure the safety of all involved. As reported by Deadline, “Entertainment industry productions in Southern California are no strangers to adjusting their schedules in the face of crises, but this level of disruption is rare.”
While filming remains paused for several popular shows, production teams are cautiously optimistic about a return to normalcy. “We hope to resume work soon, but the safety of everyone involved is the priority,” said an unnamed source in a Deadline report. Jimmy Kimmel Live! is expected to implement additional precautions as filming resumes, while The Price Is Right and After Midnight will follow suit once conditions improve.
The suspension of tapings for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Price Is Right and After Midnight highlights the challenges faced by entertainment productions in the face of these natural disasters. As Deadline reports, the situation remains fluid, and the industry is monitoring developments closely in hopes of a safe return to work in the coming days.