The Coronavirus is spreading all over the world and is effecting all aspects of the entertainment industry whether it be in film, television or music.
When the Coronavirus first popped up on our collective radars, no one expected the world to turn into what it has and for it to effect so many aspects of our lives. One of those aspects is our sources of entertainment. Whether it be music festivals, concerts, movie premiers and TV shows, no one is playing games when it comes to the Coronavirus. In the past when Swine Flu and Ebola cases were popping up, most of America was unaffected. Coronavirus has hit different and everyone is spiraling, maybe for good reason. Take one look at any grocery store and you’ll think the world is about to come crashing down. Hollywood has definitely taken safety precautions as well and have taken steps to stop the spread of the disease.
Coronavirus & Festivals
There have been so many cancellations and postponements in the music industry, but the one that has the most people talking is the postponement of Coachella! The CDC has advised that we stay away from gatherings with large amounts of people and Coachella is the definition of that. Instagram influencers from around the globe were set to take on the music festival the weekend of April 10 and April 17, but now are forced to wait until October. Oh the agony! Stagecoach is also delayed until October while organizers for both events are struggling to rebook their headliners.
The popular film festival, South by South West, which takes place in Texas has also been cancelled. The cancellation is a result of major companies such as, Netflix, Amazon, Apple and TikTok dropping out of their scheduled events. The fear is real and no one is willing to take any risks. The Cannes Film Festival is also at risk of being canceled which was slated for the end of May. This cancellation came after the first case of Coronavirus was found in Nice, France, a city near Cannes. Seattle was also forced to cancel their Comic Con which was supposed to take place this weekend.
Concert Cancellations
Korean pop sensation BTS is taking no risks when it comes to their health and the spread of the virus. They have not only canceled all talk show appearances to promote their newest album, but have also canceled the South Korean leg of their tour. South Korea has had a large Coronavirus outbreak so the band is taking the safer route and avoiding their native country until the virus has cleared out.
Live Nation has also canceled all concerts which have been scheduled for the month of March, and will likely cancel those scheduled for April. Artists whose concerts have been canceled include, Billie Eilish, Jason Aldean, Zac Brown Band, Cher, Kiss, Post Malone, Tool and Chris Stapleton. Maluma and Khalid have also canceled some overseas shows along with Green Day, Avril Lavigne, Miley Cyrus and Pearl Jam.
Coronavirus & Sports
If there is one thing that binds people together, it’s cheering for their favorite sports teams every night. The Coronavirus has taken that away from us too. The 2020 Masters Golf Tournament is canceled and the Boston Marathon is postponed until September. The notoriously difficult New York City Half Marathon is also postponed. Potentially the biggest cancellation is March Madness and the rest of the NBA season. This one has got me fuming! The Lakers are finally having a good season but I can’t enjoy it because the season is canceled. I’m just a little salty. It’s fine though, I’ll get over it. The MLB, MLS and NHL have also canceled their seasons.
The NBA season is canceled because Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert has tested positive for the virus. I am so irritated by this man. Due to his carelessness, another player has also tested positive and he has put the whole league at risk. I’m mainly upset because he caused the cancellation of the season. It probably was going to happen anyways but it happened sooner because of him.
Movies & TV
All talk shows are filming without a live studio audience. That has got to be so not rewarding. Imagine how unsatisfied a comedian feels when there is no one there to laugh at their not funny jokes. Game shows are also filming without a studio audience. Production on television shows such as, Grey’s Anatomy, Grace & Frankie, Riverdale and The Falcon and The Winter Solider have stopped production on upcoming seasons. The safety of the cast and crews is the top priority and reasoning for the delays.
Along with television, movies have also taken a hit. John Kraskinski has decided to push the March opening of A Quiet Place II to an unknown date. The ninth installment of the Fast and the Furious has been pushed back almost a full year. It has been pushed from May 2020 to April 2021. The upcoming premiere of the James Bond film, No Time to Die has been moved also. The highly anticipated Mulan film has also been delayed from its original March release date.
It is no secret that Hollywood films some of their films overseas, which is proving to be a problem. Many of theses films are shooting in countries where the Coronavirus is running rampant. Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has halted production in Australia over health concerns. The film’s director has even put himself in isolation. The newest Mission Impossible has been filming in Venice, Italy and have announced their production has also been stopped as they search for a new location. Italy is currently experiencing a huge outbreak. Cast and crew have been sent home in the meantime.
What can we do?
Everyone is freaking out over getting Corona and have been flocking to local grocery stores to prepare for quarantine. Let’s all try to stay calm and follow the CDC’s advice. Try to stay aware, avoid large crowds, wash your hands constantly and avoid watching movies like Contagion. That will do nothing but scare you into a bubble. Look on the bright side, we can finally get to all the shows we have been dying to binge. Can you say Love is Blind?
Now I am going away to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast coming again to
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