'Jimmy Kimmel Live' And More Shows Pause Production Amid Devastating Los Angeles Fires
By Chukwudi Onyewuchi on January 8, 2025 at 5:15 PM EST
As the Los Angeles fires continue to wreak havoc in the Pacific Palisades and Pasadena communities, their impact is now being felt in the television world as several shows have halted production for safety reasons.
The wildfires have led to massive evacuations and loss of homes in the affected communities, with some celebrities posting about their losses.
Rescue efforts are ongoing as firefighters do their best to contain the enormous inferno.
Television Shows Pause Production Amid Los Angeles Fires
On Wednesday, Deadline reported that the CBS game show "The Price Is Right," late-night series "After Midnight" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" have suspended production amid the devastating wildfires.
The television shows film in Los Angeles, California, and are pausing production to ensure safety.
Filming for "After Midnight" takes place on Stage 29 of the Paramount Pictures lot at 898 N Gower St, while "The Price Is Right" mostly shoots at least three episodes daily at Haven Studios, Glendale, California. Haven Studios is located within the evacuation zone for the Eaton Fire, which has caused several deaths.
Meanwhile, production for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" takes place at the El Capitan on Hollywood Blvd.
According to the outlet, one major issue that led the three shows to halt production is that they have guest audiences and don't want to put more people at risk as the fires rage on.
Other Shows Have Halted Production Amid The Los Angeles Fires
"The Price Is Right," "After Midnight," and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" are not the only television shows pausing production because of the wildfires.
Earlier, Deadline reported that Warner Bros. closed production on its lot in Burbank as strong winds and fires caused havoc close to the Los Angeles suburb.
The closure affected shows like "Abbott Elementary," "All American," and "The Pitt," which were scheduled to shoot on Wednesday. Multi-camera sitcoms "Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage" and the forthcoming "Leanne Morgan" project were affected.
Meanwhile, 20th Television's "Grey's Anatomy" and "Doctor Odyssey" didn't shoot on Wednesday, while CBS Studios wrapped their Los Angeles productions for the day in the morning, affecting "NCIS" and "NCIS: Origins."
Universal Studio Group also canceled Wednesday's filming for "Hacks," "Happy's Place," "Loot," "Suits LA," and "Ted."
Massive Evacuations As Los Angeles Fires Wreak Havoc
Over 30,000 people were evacuated after wind-whipped wildfires burned through Los Angeles's densely populated metropolitan area.
Fire officials reported that about 1,000 buildings have been reportedly destroyed in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, home to several Hollywood stars.
As the fires intensified, President Joe Biden posted on X expressing his administration's readiness to do all it can to "support the response."
The president added, "I urge the residents of the Pacific Palisades and the surrounding areas of Los Angeles to stay vigilant and listen to local officials."
Celebrities Evacuate Their Homes Amid Wildfires
Many Hollywood celebrities were caught in the inferno and had to evacuate their homes and flee to safer grounds.
Pacific Palisades' honorary mayor, Eugene Levy, told the Los Angeles Times he got stuck while trying to escape the burning flames.
He said, "The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon. I couldn't see any flames but the smoke was very dark."
Actor James Woods shared a post on X after successfully evacuating from the fire. He thanked the "wonderful people" who reached out to him and his family and showed concern.
Woods added, "Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully. I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not."
Meanwhile, TMZ reported that Ben Affleck evacuated from his home and rushed to his ex-wife Jennifer Garner's residence nearby.
What Caused The Wildfires Engulfing Los Angeles?
The Los Angeles fires broke out days after the National Weather Service warned of extreme fire risk due to a powerful windstorm. According to the Washington Post, the fires were fueled by hurricane-force winds that neared 90 mph. They began on Tuesday and grew in intensity on Wednesday.
The Pacific Palisades Fire scorched 11,000 acres and burned about a thousand homes, including those of notable celebrities. The Eaton Fire, northeast of Pasadena, burned 10,000 acres, causing two fatalities and several injuries and destroying 100 structures. Meanwhile, the Hurst Fire in Sylmar spread quickly, leading to the closure of Interstate 5.
The fires have been difficult to contain due to the strong winds and the ultra-flammable Southern California area, which experienced a lengthy summer dry season.
