America’s Got Talent suspends filming after judges Sofia Vergara and Howie Mandell film without a live studio audience
Production of America’s Got Talent has shut down – the latest show to be hit by the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
The show had been slated to film without a live studio audience, with judges Howie Mandel and newcomer Sofia Vergara spotted arriving at the studio in the Pasadena neighborhood of Los Angeles on Saturday morning.
But later that day Page Six reported that production was suspended.
AGT judge Heidi Klum recently fell ill before a taping was about to begin earlier this week, and revealed she wants to take the Coronavirus test but hasn’t been able to get one yet.
Grand arrivals: Sofia Vergara and Howie Mandel put on their best happy faces when they arrived to film for America’s Got Talent
Before the taping was called off, Modern Family star Vergara arrived with a smile, in a brief break from rain.
Dressed down, she still looked stylish, in faded blue jeans that had several frayed holes in them and a pink hoodie
Mandel, 64, also pulled up to the studio during a break in the storm system hovering above.
The comedian and actor sported an all-black ensemble that consisted of fitted jeans and a LA Department Of Corrections jacket over a hoodie.
Newcomer: The Columbia born actress, 47, is a judge for season 15 of AGT
The strut: The Modern family star dressed down in faded blue jeans that had several frayed holes in them and a pink hoodie
Before heading out to the studio for work, Mandel took to Instagram and showcased his comedic touch, in the wake of the fears surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.
‘Just came back from the store where my wife sent me out to buy toilet paper,’ he began in a selfie video, adding, ‘they were out of toilet paper.’
He then raised his hand to reveal a used piece of tissue and said, ‘But thank god I found this on the sidewalk just outside of the store.’
Fresh: She also donned black platform sneakers, dark sunglasses, and her light brown tresses looking voluminous with some soft waves
Over the last number of days, the judges have been filming AGT without their colleague, Heidi Klum, who is currently home sick.
‘I’m just not feeling good so that’s why I’ve stayed home to not infect any other people,’ the former top model said in a video filmed from her bed.
‘I hope it’s just a cold, I would love to do the corona test but there just isn’t one here. I’ve tried with two different doctors and just can’t get one.’
Vergara’s Modern family co-star Eric Stonestreet has been sitting in for Klum on the judges desk.
Casual-cool wear: The comedian and actor sported an all-black ensemble that consisted of fitted jeans and a LA Department Of Corrections jacket over a hoodie
Make-shift: AGT has been filming without a live studio audience; Eric Stonestreet has been sitting in for Heidi Klum, who has been sick in bed
AGT is just the latest of many shows and movies to suspend production due to Coronavirus fears.
NBC put production on hold for over 35 of its shows, including Chicago Fire, Law & Order Special Victims Unit and The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Universal Pictures also pulled the plug on several movies as well, including Jurassic World: Dominion, Flint Strong and an untitled Billy Eichner project.
Waiting it out in bed: Klum said she ‘would love to do the corona test but there just isn’t one’ in an Instagram video this week