Coronavirus Forces 'Jeopardy!' And 'Wheel of Fortune' To Tape Without Audiences
LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) — "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" will tape without studio audiences in response to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
A person close to the shows told The Associated Press late Monday that the move is being taken out of an abundance of caution given the spread of the new coronavirus in numerous communities in the United States and abroad. The source spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the decision.
The popular game shows are the latest television project to shift plans due to the new coronavirus. Last week, CBS announced that it was suspending production on "The Amazing Race" in response to the outbreak.
The shows tape months in advance, so the presumably quieter shows will not immediately be noticeable to viewers at home. Wheel of Fortune airs at 7 p.m. and Jeopardy! at 7:30 p.m. weekdays on WBZ-TV. Both are filmed at a studio in Culver City, California.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
