Covid-19: ‘American Ninja Warrior’, ‘America’s Got Talent’, ‘Family Feud’, ‘The Price Is Right’ & ‘Card Sharks’ Regulate Production In The Light of Coronavirus Crisis

Due to the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, many reality and game shows have delayed the production or are shutting down completely. Many have also suspended the live audience. 

NBC’s American Ninja Warrior has postponed production for two weeks as it was supposed to start filming today. Also postponed is the start of production of game show Card Sharks. NBC’s America’s Got Talent and syndicated game show Family Feud will continue filming but without a studio audience, while CBS’ daytime game show The Price Is Right has suspended filming for the next two weeks. 

NBC’s America’s Acquired Expertise has cancelled the remaining tapings of Los Angeles auditions, whereas CBS’ daytime sport present The Value Is Proper has suspended filming for the subsequent two weeks. The Value Is Proper, America’s Acquired Expertise, AGT, Family Feud, Card Sharks and The Price Is Right are all produced by Fremantle. 

Here is the company statement, "Due to the ongoing global situation around Covid-19, we have been working closely with our production teams and network partners to take measures to help minimize the risk of exposure to our cast, crew and live audiences. Effective immediately, we will refrain from filming in front of live audiences for our current productions AMERICA'S GOT TALENT and FAMILY FEUD. As live audiences are integral to the format of THE PRICE IS RIGHT, we will be suspending production for the short term. For similar reasons, we will be postponing the start of production for season 2 of CARD SHARKS. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and determine the appropriate time to resume a normal course of business."

Heidi Klum went to work Tuesday however left earlier than the beginning of the taping with what was subsequently described by sources as a typical chilly. She stayed house in poor health Wednesday, with Fashionable Household star Eric Stonestreet filling in for her. He sat alongside his Fashionable Household co-star Sofia Vergara, who’s a brand new addition to the present’s judging panel, in addition to AGT veterans Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel. 

It is unclear whether AGT is shutting down production altogether or is proceeding with the tapings sans audiences. The shutdown of The Price is Right comes after fellow game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel Of Fortune earlier this week announced that are switching to filming without studio audience as a precaution over Coronavirus concerns. That is not a practical choice for The Price Is Right, which is mounted on interaction with the audience.

For the unversed, A 76-year-old man is said to have been reported dead in India due to Coronavirus while 74 are positively diagnosed.