THE Forest fires igniting Los Angeles this week are disrupting the star city’s most famous industry: entertainment.
Productions went dark on Wednesday, as major highways and roads were closed and homes and businesses were destroyed. President Biden approved a major disaster declaration for California on Wednesday, and at least two people have died from the fires, according to Los Angeles County firefighters.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” canceled its taping on Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter told CBS News.
Kimmel’s guests for the canceled show included Cynthia Erivo from the hit film “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 rebroadcast instead. Actor Timothée Chalamet is scheduled to appear Thursday, according to the show’s website. It is unclear whether recording will resume by then.
Other ABC productions that went dark on Wednesday included Grey’s Anatomy and Dr. Odyssey. The CBS game show “After Midnight” also canceled taping Wednesday (CBS and CBS News are owned by Paramount Global.)
Additionally, the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park and the Universal CityWalk shopping complex were closed Wednesday due to the fire, Universal Studios Hollywood said in a statement. job on X.
Likewise, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, a major tourist attraction, was closed Wednesday and said it was offering guests refunds for tours they booked and paid for.
Cultural establishments, including the famous Getty Villa in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, were also affected by the wildfires. Although the building is “safe and intact” according to a statement of the museum, the institution will be closed until the beginning of next week. Getty said vegetation on the property burned but structures were not affected and its collections and staff were safe.
More than 20 Los Angeles school districts were closed Wednesday due to wildfires. Flight operations at Los Angeles International Airport were not affected.