The coronavirus pandemic started in late 2019, spreading to the U.S. in early 2020, and as of 2022 it is still affecting Hollywood — and the rest of the world.
In both 2020 and 2021 many events, including the Tokyo Olympics, were postponed, canceled or delayed amid the ups and downs of the worldwide pandemic. An uptick in COVID-19 cases in December 2021 and January 2022 led to another wave of Hollywood halts, stopping work on TV shows, Broadway musicals and more.
Hugh Jackman, who plays Professor Harold Hill in the 2022 run of The Music Man in New York City, tested positive for the virus after the Christmas holiday. His positive diagnosis came just days after his costar Sutton Foster, who plays Marian Paroo, missed a preview performance of their musical following her own positive COVID test.
“My symptoms are, like, a cold. I have a scratchy throat and bit of a runny nose. But I’m fine,” the Australia native said in a video via his Instagram on December 28, 2021. “I’m just going to do everything I can to get better ASAP. As soon as I’m cleared, I’ll be back on stage and headed to River City.”
Jackman’s end of the year health scare resulted in The Music Man postponing the rest of his holiday preview performances in hopes of returning to the stage on January 2. The Winter Garden Theatre, however, later announced that the show would not resume until January 6 following the continued spread of the coronavirus.
Sundance Film Festival announced on January 5 that it would no longer be hosting in-person events for the event, which was set to run from January 20-30. The iconic festival opted to take all of their showings and press events virtual this year as the Omicron variant surged.
“Despite the most ambitious protocols, the Omicron variant with its unexpectedly high transmissibility rates is pushing the limits of health safety, travel and other infrastructures across the country,” organizers said in a statement at the time. “The festival’s in-person Utah elements will be moving online this year. While we’re disappointed to not provide the full hybrid experience and gather in-person as intended, audiences this year will still experience the magic and energy of our festival.”
TV shows were not immune to the post-holiday rise in COVID-19 cases. Grey’s Anatomy chose to push back its return to production from January 10 to January 12. CBS’ NCIS: Los Angeles, on the other hand, delayed production from January to a later date in February.
Scroll down to see every event, show, movie and more that were affected by COVID-19 delays in 2022:
Even online events can be ruined by COVID-19. "Hey guys, I'm so sorry to announce that I'm having to push back the next Here's To The Future show," Payne shared via Twitter on January 26. "Unfortunately I had Covid and will not be ready in time to give you all the show you deserve. We've decided to now do something extra special and move the show back a few weeks to Saturday 12th February, just in time for Valentine's Day!!" James Gillham/Shutterstock
“We anticipate and understand disappointment but our anniversary tour will not be able to happen,” members Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel announced via a January statement. “The continued Covid pandemic has made touring conditions difficult, and we want to make sure we keep our fans and ourselves healthy and safe. An idea sparked to honor and celebrate this 25th anniversary of The Score but we see now it may not currently be our time for revisiting this past work." MediaPunch/Shutterstock
The British singer announced on January 20 that her Weekends With Adele residency in Las Vegas would be postponed amid COVID-19 setbacks. The shows were originally set to kick off on January 21 and run through April 16, but they will now be rescheduled. “I’m so sorry, but my show ain’t ready,” Adele tearfully said in a Twitter video at the time. “We’ve tried absolutely everything that we can to put it together in time and for it to be good enough for you. We’ve been absolutely destroyed by delivery delays and COVID. Half my crew [and] team are down with COVID. They still are. It’s been impossible to finish the show.” YouTube
Fox announced on January 12 that the country-music drama — starring Susan Sarandon, Trace Adkins, Anna Friel and Beth Ditto — pushed its premiere to the fall of 2022 amid production issues in relation to COVID protocols and delays. “With an incredible pedigree of talent and musical performances, the powerfully compelling drama, Monarch, is a top priority for Fox Entertainment in 2022,” a spokesperson for the network said in a statement to Deadline. “Unfortunately, due to the unavoidable realities of the pandemic and the profound impact Covid-19 continues to have on our industry and around the world, it is necessary to reschedule Monarch’s January 30 debut to the Fall.” FOX
The hit play will briefly pause after its performance on January 16, with the cast, including lead Greg Kinnear, and crew returning to the stage in a smaller Broadway theater in June. "It has been an extraordinary experience to watch every member of this company bring Mockingbird back to life at the Shubert," executive producer Orin Wolf noted in a statement, per the New York Times. "While it is sad to go dark even for a short time, it is an honor to help this magnificent production continue its historic run in the Belasco Theatre and I look forward to its bright future as we kick off in June." John Angelillo/Shutterstock
The acclaimed musical, which features songs by Bob Dylan, announced on January 12 that it will shut down before the end of the month, hoping to open at a new theater in the spring. John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock
Production on the Paramount+ series was shut down in early January after more than 50 crew members tested positive for COVID, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Aaron Epstein/CBS
The NBC drama paused filming on January 5 after multiple positive Covid tests, according to Deadline. The team is hopeful they will begin filming again on January 10. NBC
The theme park will close its gates for its fifth time amid the pandemic from January 7 to January 20, Reuters reported on January 5. The closure came amid local government placing stricter COVID-19 restrictions on the city. Miguel Candela/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
CBS confirmed on January 5 that NCIS: Los Angeles, which was slated to restart production later that month, would not be returning to work until sometime in February. NCIS, which is in its 19th season, has also temporarily halted production. Sonja Flemming/CBS
The annual film festival canceled its in-person gathering on January 5. The event will proceed virtually from January 20-30 as planned. JOHN G MABANGLO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The awards show, which was set for January 31, was postponed due to coronavirus-related concerns, an Academy spokesperson confirmed to Variety on January 5. The new date has yet to be announced. Chris Pizzello/AP/Shutterstock
The ABC dramas pushed back production by two days, from January 10 to January 12, amid the uptick in COVID-19 cases earlier in the month. Christopher Willard/ABC/Kobal/Shutterstock
The ABC cop drama delayed its restart of production following the holiday break, Us confirmed on January 5. The length of time of the shooting delay is unknown. ABC/Raymond Liu
The soap opera opted to push its shooting schedule from the week of January 3 to the week of January 10, according to TVLine. ABC/Scott Kirkland
The Hollywood Foreign Press announced on January 4 that the 2022 awards show, which is set to air on January 9, will be switching its format amid the health crisis. There will be a 90-minute gathering at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles where the winners will be announced, but there will be no red carpet ahead of time. Celebrities will not on site, nor will press or an audience. (This change is due to both the COVID-19 uptick and the scandal surrounding the HFPA.) Matt Baron/Shutterstock
The Broadway show announced on January 2 that it will take an extended hiatus from January 10 to March 14. Performances are set to return on March 15. MediaPunch/Shutterstock
After Jackman and Foster tested positive for COVID-19 in December 2021, the Broadway show canceled its end of the year preview performances through January 5. Andrew H Walker/Shutterstock
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