ABC said it would temporarily suspend its “Strahan, Sara and Keke” early-afternoon talk show in favor of a news program led by anchor Amy Robach focused on the coronavirus crisis, the latest example of news programming supplanting entertainment and opinion shows as the nation grows more concerned about the contagion’s spread. 6 more words
via ABC Will Suspend ‘Strahan, Sara & Keke’ in Favor of Coronavirus News Show — Variety
Disney’s “Black Widow” is the latest tentpole to shift its release date because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Marvel superhero adventure, starring Scarlett Johansson, was slated to hit theaters on May 1. 27 more words
via ‘Black Widow’ Release Pulled Amid Coronavirus Pandemic — Variety
Lyle Waggoner, who starred on “The Carol Burnett Show” and in the 1970s “Wonder Woman” series, has died at 84, Variety has confirmed. In a statement released by Waggoner’s family it was revealed that the “loving husband, father, grandfather, entrepreneur, and actor passed away peacefully at home on March 17th at the age of 84…
via Lyle Waggoner, ‘Carol Burnett Show’ and ‘Wonder Woman’ Star, Dies at 84 — Variety
Actor Stuart Whitman, an Oscar nominee for his role as a convicted child molester in the 1961 movie “The Mark,” died on Monday of natural causes surrounded by his family at his ranch house in Montecito, Calif., his son Justin told Variety. 15 more words
via Stuart Whitman, ‘Cimarron Strip’ Actor and Oscar Nominee, Dies at 92 — Variety
Amid widespread closures of movie theaters in the U.S., the National Association of Theatre Owners, the exhibition industry’s trade organization, is predicting that customers will return after the coronavirus pandemic has abated. 28 more words
via Theater Owners Hopeful That Moviegoers Will Return After Coronavirus Pandemic — Variety
Disney’s decision on Tuesday to pull the theatrical release of Marvel Studios’ “Black Widow” is the latest — and biggest — sign that the most lucrative and successful film franchise in Hollywood history is also uniquely vulnerable to the coronavirus epidemic’s widespread effect on the entertainment economy. 12 more words
via Could Coronavirus Woes Take a Hammer to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe? — Variety
Fox Corp. said it will acquire Tubi, the ad-supported free streaming service, for $440 million in cash — a deal funded largely from Fox’s sale of its stake in Roku. 29 more words
via Fox Corp. to Acquire Tubi Free-Streaming Service for $440 Million, Sells Stake in Roku — Variety
NBA superstar Kevin Durant is among four Brooklyn Nets players to have tested positive for the coronavirus. The identities of the other three players are unknown. 36 more words
via Kevin Durant Among Four Brooklyn Nets Players to Test Positive for Coronavirus — Variety
In the wake of dozens of film and television productions abruptly shutting down amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, several organizations and high-profile showrunners — Greg Berlanti, Shonda Rhimes, David Benioff, Julie Plec, Damon Lindelof, Lisa Joy and Jonah Nolan — have come together to fund a relief effort for Hollywood’s support staffers, a low-paid group…
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti have ordered movie theaters in their respective cities to close in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 29 more words
via Movie Theaters in New York City, Los Angeles Ordered to Close Due to Coronavirus Concerns — Variety
Festival Reviews 