Feeling like March 2020? Here's how Covid Omicron is affecting entertainment again

The discovery of the highly mutated Omicron variant of Covid-19 has shaken the entire world again, much like how another variant did in March 2020. As the world started getting back to its feet with everything finally getting back to normal - with offline events, concerts finally opening up again -- looks like the new variant will disrupt our lives yet again. 

From cancelled concerts to going back to no live audiences, here's how the entertainment industry has got affected again due to the outbreak of Omicron. 

'The Crown' season 5 filming has been halted following a Covid-19 outbreak onset. 

It's currently unclear exactly how many cases were discovered, but as per the reports, the latest production shut down comes after eight crew members tested positive for the virus.

''The Crown finished filming one day earlier than planned for the Christmas break following a few positive cases within the team, thus ensuring others' safety and so that everyone on production can enjoy a festive break with their loved ones,'' a spokesperson for the streaming service confirmed.

One of the prestigious beauty pageants Miss World has been postponed due to Covid-19 concerns. 

The grand finale of this year's beauty pageant, which was scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico was called off after several contestants tested positive for Covid-19 and have been temporarily postponed due to the health and safety concerns of contestants, staff, crew, and the general public.

''Miss World 2021 temporarily postpones global broadcast finale in Puerto Rico due to health and safety interest of contestants, staff, crew and general public The finale will be rescheduled at Puerto Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot within the next 90 days," statement reads.

'Saturday Night Live' decided to tape the final episode of the year without a live audience and with only a limited cast and crew due to the recent spike in the Omicron variant. 

The statement posted on the SNL IG page reads, "Due to the recent spike in the Omicron variant and out of an abundance of caution, there will be no live audience for tonight's taping of 'Saturday Night Live' and the show will have limited cast and crew."

iHeartRadio's Jingle Ball Tour's final stop in Florida Live Arena in Miami has been called off. The last-minute cancellation was done due to the rapidly spreading of the Omicron variant.

The announcement was made by iHeartRadio on Twitter account on Sunday: "Due to the increased transmission of the new COVID-19 variant and to further minimize any potential risks, as a precautionary measure and for the safety of our staff, talent and guests, we have made the decision to cancel tonight's iHeartRadio Y100 Jingle Ball. Thank you for your understanding. Ticket holders will receive a refund within 48 hours and if they have any issues, they should reach out to their point of purchase, '' the announcement reads.

Previously, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, the Jonas Brothers and others have cancelled their Jingle Ball concerts after members of their teams tested positive for Covid-19.

Tom Holland is one of the recent stars who went on a social media detox for his mental health.

Holland took to his Instagram account and shared a video talking about his social media break, mental health and more. 

"I`ve taken a break from social media for my mental health because I find Instagram and Twitter to be overstimulating, to be overwhelming. I get caught up and I spiral when I read things about me online and ultimately, it`s very detrimental to my mental state. So I decided to take a step back and delete the app," he said. 

Production of the CBS’ new hit comedy 'Ghosts' has halted after an individual on the set of the series tested positive for COVID-19. 

Many Broadway shows have been cancelled due to outbreaks of the coronavirus variant. A slew of Broadway shows including 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child', 'Tina' 'Hamilton'',' Ain’t Too Proud' and shows have been scrapped in the recent days. 

The Critics Choice Association has postponned its 27th annual Critics Choice Awards. The awards ceremony was to be held on January 9. In a statement, The Critics Choice Association said, “After thoughtful consideration and candid conversations with our partners at The CW and TBS, we have collectively come to the conclusion that the prudent and responsible decision at this point is to postpone the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards, originally slated for January 9, 2022." 

The Governors Awards -- an annual gala where honorary Oscars are handed out -- became the latest glitzy Hollywood event postponed Wednesday, as fears grow of a surge in coronavirus cases fueled by the Omicron variant.

"We have made the difficult decision to change our plans in hosting the Governors Awards in person on January 15," the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said in a statement.

"Given the uncertainties around the variants and the impact this could have on our community, we feel this is the best and safest decision for our honorees and guests." The Academy said, "rescheduled plans will come at a later date" for this season's Governors Awards. The main Oscars ceremony is still currently set to take place on March 27.

This year`s Grammy Awards ceremony honouring top performances in music has been postponed indefinitely because of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, organizers said on Wednesday.

The show had been scheduled to take place at an arena in downtown Los Angeles and broadcast live on the CBS network on Jan. 31.

"Given the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant, holding the show on January 31 simply contains too many risks," CBS and the Recording Academy said in a joint statement, adding that a new date would be announced soon.

Amid the rising fear of the coronavirus new variant, the Sundance film festival has decided to cancel in-person for the second year in a row. 

The festival which was scheduled to take place at Park City, Utah, from January 20 to 30, has scrapped its plans for an in-person gathering for 2022, and the event will be online only.

“While it is a deep loss to not have the in-person experience in Utah, we do not believe it is safe nor feasible to gather thousands of artists, audiences, employees, volunteers and partners from around the world, for an eleven-day festival while overwhelmed communities are already struggling to provide essential services,” Sundance representatives said in a statement.

Prabhhas and Pooja Hegde's new film 'Radhe Shyam' has created a lot of buzz ever since the film's posters were released by the makers. The period romantic drama which was scheduled to hit the big screen on January 14, 2022, has been postponed now due to the surge in Covid-19 news cases.   

Sharing the news, the makers tweeted, "We have to postpone the release of our film #RadheShyam due to the ongoing covid situation. Our sincere thanks to all the fans for your unconditional love and support. We will see you in cinemas soon..! #RadheShyamPostponed."

 

Fans wait for SS Rajamouli's magnum opus 'RRR' is getting longer and longer. As the cinema industry is going through many uncertainties and now owing to rise in Covid-19 cases and concerns over the new Omicron variant, one of the most awaited movies 'RRR'  has been postponed again!. 

The 'RRR' team, including SS Rajamouli, Jr NTR and Ram Charan, were busy promoting the film, that was supposed to hit the theatres on January 7, 2022.