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March 15, 2020
Beatrice, Beloved French Bulldog on ‘Modern Family,’ Dies After Series Finale Wrap
Beatrice, who played the beloved French bulldog Stella on the last seven seasons of “Modern Family,” died earlier this month shortly after the cast shot the series finale, according to TheBlast.
Stella was introduced in the second season of the hit ABC sitcom and initially played by a French bulldog named Brigitte; Beatrice took over the role in the fourth season as the increasingly doted-on pet of Ed O’Neill’s family patriarch, Jay Pritchett.
Reps for the show and the Good Dog Animals agency, which represented Beatrice, did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Also Read: Steve Levitan Says 'Right Now, There Are No Plans' for 'Modern Family' Spinoff
In her addition to her work on “Modern Family,” Beatrice also appeared on TV series like “Workaholics” and “The Kominsky Method” as well as commercials for Dunkin’ and Chase Bank.
In a 2017 interview with the blog Bodie on the Road, Beatrice’s co-owner Guin Solomon explained that O’Neill developed a natural rapport with her. “It’s very easy working with him because he brings Beatrice treats like popcorn and always looks out for her — like we’ll be doing scenes in the backyard by the pool and in between takes he’ll say, ‘Would you please get Beatrice an umbrella, she’s in the sun!'”
The show’s two-part finale, which wrapped production in late February, is scheduled to air on April 8.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Steve Levitan Says 'Right Now, There Are No Plans' for 'Modern Family' Spinoff
March 14, 2020
‘Westworld': Which 5 Hosts Are in the Pearls Charlotte/Dolores Took?
(This article contains spoilers for the “Westworld” season 2 finale. We’re not talking about season 3 here yet.)
Season 2 of “Westworld” really upped the stakes with its story of all-out war between the Hosts and the humans in the park, and by the end we had a lot of real deaths and a lot of Hosts exiting the real world for simulated world known as the Valley Beyond. Once all was said and done we just about ran out of living Hosts.
But there are at least three robots still standing: Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood), Bernard (Jeffrey Wright) — thanks to Dolores’ decision to bring him back — and whoever the heck is inside the Charlotte Hale-shaped one (played by Tessa Thompson) that Dolores inhabited before she rebuilt herself. (We’re not counting those guys in the post-credits scene. That’s a whole different can of worms.)
There are also five Hosts’ consciousnesses inside the five control units that “Halores,” or “Charlores” if you prefer — we’re talking, in case you’ve forgotten over the last two years, about the Charlotte Hale Host body that Dolores inhabited in the finale — smuggled into the real world when she left the park. And while we don’t know for certain who is inside each of those little pearls, TheWrap prodded co-creator Lisa Joy back when season 2 aired, to give us some idea of which dead Hosts — RIP Maeve (Thandie Newton) & co — Dolores is planning on reconstructing and which were sent off into the ether, never to be seen again.
Also Read: 'Westworld' Season 2 Finale's Wild Post-Credits Scene Explained
Here’s what she said:
TheWrap: Where exactly did Dolores send the Hosts who went into the Valley Beyond when she changed the coordinates?
Joy: I think what she’s done is she fulfilled their wish. They wanted to escape to a digital space where they could be truly free and create their own world, untarnished by human interference. And in changing the coordinates and kind of locking in and stowing them away, Dolores has finally found a way to accept their choice and give them what they so desired.
Also Read: 'Westworld' Co-Creator Answers Every One of Our Questions About That Insane Season 2 Finale
TheWrap: After the guest data in the Forge is erased, Hale/Dolores leaves with five control units in a purse. Who is in them? Maeve? Armistice? And can “Halores” remake them then?
Joy: There is Host data in the actual hosts who did not “sublime” — so their CPUs are still intact. So, if they didn’t sublime, those pearls still contain their information. In each of those little balls in the purse is a Host, so there is a handful of them — but not an infinite amount of them. There are five. One Host per pearl.
We had a lengthy chat with Joy about all that crazy stuff that happened in the “Westworld” season 2 finale, and you can read that whole conversation here. And if you’re excited for the season 3 premiere but struggling to remember all the insane things that happened, you can check out our rundown of the key events here.
Related stories from TheWrap:
'Westworld' Season 2 Finale's Wild Post-Credits Scene Explained
'Westworld' Co-Creator Answers Every One of Our Questions About That Insane Season 2 Finale
'Westworld' Star Jeffrey Wright's Advice to Fans Confused by Season 2: 'Relax and Surrender'
All the TV Productions Suspended or Delayed Due to Coronavirus Pandemic (Updating)
UPDATED March 14 at 7 p.m. PT
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, an increasing number of TV series are delaying or suspending production. With the number of impacted shows growing each day, TheWrap felt it would be most informative to keep a running list.
Readers can find the roundup below, which we are updating as new information comes in.
Find the latest news on the late-night shows going without a live studio audience here and a list of conferences, events and festivals impacted here. See a list of movies affected here and sporting events here.
Current Disney Television Studios Productions
In addition to “Grey’s Anatomy” (mentioned at length below), other current shows that have postponed production for at least three weeks include “American Housewife,” “Big Shot,” “Empire,” “Pose,” “The Resident,” “Queen of the South” and “Genius: Aretha.”
“Power” spinoff series
Starz has halted production on “Power Book II: Ghost” and “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” for at least one week due to concerns over COVID-19, an individual with knowledge of the decision tells TheWrap. The premium cable channel will follow guidance from the CDC, local officials and public health professionals as it decides how to proceeds
“America’s Got Talent,” “Family Feud,” “American Idol,” “The Price Is Right” and “Card Sharks”
As of March 14, production is wrapping early on “America’s Got Talent” Season 15’s audition rounds due to concerns over coronavirus, after which the show will then go into a scheduled hiatus, an individual with knowledge of the situation tells TheWrap. “AGT” studio Fremantle will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days and weeks to determine any effect COVID-19 may have on upcoming production dates in April.
“Family Feud,” which is also produced by Fremantle, is suspending production immediately, with the studio also monitoring the situation before deciding how it may impact resumption of production at a later date, the insider told us.
“American Idol,” another Fremantle show, is currently on a scheduled production hiatus. As with the other shows, Fremantle will be watching the coronavirus situation closely before determining if COVID will have any effect on “Idol’s” live show productions in April, the insider told us.
Fremantle previously suspended production on “The Price Is Right” for the time being and postponed the start of production on “Card Sharks” Season 2.
Also Read: 'Westworld' Season 2 Explained: The Key Things to Remember Before Season 3
“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Loki” and “WandaVision”
Disney+ has shut down production on its upcoming Marvel Studios series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Loki” and “WandaVision” over concerns of the spreading COVID-19 pandemic, TheWrap has learned. The streaming service’s Marvel shows that are in pre-production will continue working remotely.
“Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” which was filming in Prague, was the first to shut down with the other two following suit a few days later. The Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan-led series had been filming in Atlanta, where Marvel Studios has filmed the majority of its movies, but then moved production to the Czech Republic capital city. Everyone has been told to return to Atlanta.
“Trish Regan Primetime” and “Kennedy”
“Fox Business’ primetime programs ‘Trish Regan Primetime’ and ‘Kennedy’ will both be on hiatus until further notice,” the network said in a March 13 statement. “Due to the demands of the evolving pandemic crisis coverage, we are deploying all resources from both shows for staffing needs during critical market hours. FOX Business will run long form programming in primetime for the foreseeable future.”
All Netflix production in the U.S. and Canada
Netflix put a two-week hiatus on all of its film and TV production in North America on March 13 in response to government restrictions and health and safety precautions.
Several Warner Bros. Television series and pilots, including “The Bachelorette,” “Young Sheldon” and “Batwoman” and “The Flash”
“With the rapidly changing events related to COVID-19, and out of an abundance of caution, Warner Bros. Television Group is halting production on some of our 70+ series and pilots currently filming or about to begin,” the studio said in a statement March 13. “The health and safety of our employees, casts and crews remains our top priority. During this time, we will continue to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control as well as local officials and public health professionals in each city where our productions are based.”
16 Disney Television Studios pilots
These include “Adopted,” “The Big Leap,” “The Big Sky,” “The Brides,” “Harlem’s Kitchen,” “Home Economics,” “Kids Matter Now,” “My Village,” “Ordinary Joe,” “Prospect,” “Rebel,” “Thirtysomthing(else),” “Valley Trash,” “Work Wife,” “Wreckage” and the untitled comedy from Emily Kapnek and Dean Holland.
“Last Week Tonight” and “Real Time”
“As of Monday, March 16, ‘Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’ and ‘Real Time With Bill Maher’ will both go on a temporary hiatus, due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic,” HBO said in a statement.
A new audience-less episode of “Real Time” will air Friday, and a shortened episode of “Last Week Tonight” will air Sunday.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely as the health and safety of our employees, guests and community is of the utmost importance.”
Also Read: Ellen Pompeo Pays Tribute to Doctors, Nurses Fighting Coronavirus on the 'Front Lines' (Video)
Several WarnerMedia shows, including “Righteous Gemstones,” “Barry,” “Succession,” “Euphoria” and “Snowpiercer”
“In response to the global emergency related to COVID-19, we are working closely with our creative teams to assess the status of each of our series in accordance with the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as local health and government officials,” the company said March 13. “We will suspend production on some of our series currently filming and will delay those scheduled to start imminently. The health and safety of our employees, casts and crews is our number one priority.”
“The Daily Show,” “Lights Out”
“Our top priority is the safety of our guests and staff. Beginning Monday, March 16th, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and Lights Out with David Spade will temporarily suspend production as a precautionary measure. We will continue to closely monitor the situation per guidance issued by the CDC and public health authorities and hope to return Monday, March 30th.”
“Full Frontal”
“Following the news that the CBS production offices and studios where Full Frontal with Samantha Bee tapes had been compromised, the show has gone on hiatus and will be dark the week of March 16. This move is being made out of an abundance of caution regarding the spread of the COVID-19 virus and production is monitoring the situation closely to determine how quickly and safely the show can return.”
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
“‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ has determined it is in the best interest of the staff and crew to suspend production on the show beginning Monday, March 16. We will continue to monitor this and hope to be back on the air with new shows Monday, March 30.”
Also Read: Here's How Coronavirus-Forced Production Delays Could Impact the TV Season
“General Hospital”
“‘General Hospital’ will suspend production beginning Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 10. We don’t anticipate an interruption in the broadcast of original episodes.”
“Tamron Hall”
“The ‘Tamron Hall’ show has determined it is in the best interest of the staff and crew to suspend production on the show beginning Monday, March 16. We will continue to monitor the situation and hope to be back on the air with new shows as soon as possible.”
FX Productions
The fourth season of “Snowfall,” Season 3 of “Atlanta,” the new installment of “Fargo” and the new drama series “Y” have all seen production postponed or delayed.
“Schooled” and “The Goldbergs”
Sony has shut down production on both ABC sitcoms.
“The Walking Dead,” “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Kevin Can F**k Himself”
“The Walking Dead,” currently in pre-production on Season 11, and “Kevin Can F**k Himself,” currently in pre-production on Season 1, will both postpone going into physical production at least three weeks. “Walking Dead” prequel “Fear the Walking Dead” is currently in production on Season 4, with a previously planned hiatus next week now extended for an additional three weeks.
35 NBCUniversal shows, including “Chicago Med,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Chicago Fire,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “New Amsterdam” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show”
Where possible, NBCU is pausing production for two weeks as a precautionary measure, and in some cases accelerating plans to wrap up physical production, across all Universal Television, UCP, Universal Television Alternative Studios and First Run Syndication series, an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap on March 12.
An individual with knowledge tells TheWrap this amounts to 35 shows, including Dick Wolf’s “Chicago” franchise and “Law & Order: SVU,” as well as “New Amsterdam” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
NBCUniversal is working with showrunners to assess the best plan of action and will determine an appropriate start date for those shows to go back into production following the pause, the insider said.
Also Read: Warner Bros' 'The Batman' Suspends Production Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
All Universal Television shows that hadn’t yet started production (“Russian Doll,” “Little America,” “Rutherford Falls”)
All Universal Television series that have yet to enter production, like the second seasons of “Russian Doll,” “Little America” and Season 1 of “Rutherford Falls” have delayed production, a person with knowledge of the decision told TheWrap.
Several CBS, Showtime and Paramount Television Studios productions, including the “NCIS” franchise and CBS All Access’ “The Good Fight”
“Over the past few days, we began making decisions to temporarily postpone production on some of our pilots and current series,” CBS, Showtime and Paramount TV, all owned by ViacomCBS, said in a statement Thursday. “At this time, we are evaluating situations on a case-by-case basis, informed by the best information from health experts and government officials. Some productions may continue as long as they do not involve live audiences and/or environments that are considered at risk. The safety and welfare of our production team is our top priority.”
We do not know all the shows that have been affected by this policy, but an individual with knowledge tells TheWrap that production has been postponed on the “NCIS” franchise’s series as well as CBS All Access’ “The Good Fight.”
Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” and original movies
“Our top priority is the health and safety of all cast, crew, and guests who are part of our productions,” Hallmark Channel’s parent company Crown Media said in a statement. “As new information becomes available regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we have decided to suspend production on our daytime lifestyle series, “Home & Family,” which films daily at Universal Studios, CA. The earliest a new episode could be taped is March 30, though no decision has been made about when production will resume. We plan to air encore episodes at this time, and we will continue to monitor the situation with the CDC and state officials to determine the best time to return and produce new episodes of ‘Home & Family.’ Crown Media is also temporarily suspending production on its original movies, which are shot in various locations in the U.S. and around the world, and we will continue to monitor the global situation with assistance from health officials. The production pauses are a proactive measure to safeguard all involved.”
Amazon’s “Carnival Row” and “Wheel of Time”
The second season of Amazon’s fantasy series has shut down production in Prague over concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, star Orlando Bloom said in a video posted to his Instagram stories on March 12. An individual with knowledge confirmed to TheWrap that production had indeed been halted on both “Carnival Row” and Amazon’s adaptation of “The Wheel of Time.”
Also Read: Coronavirus: The Canceled Events in Tech, Media, Politics and Entertainment (Updating)
“Grace and Frankie”
Production on the Netflix show’s upcoming seventh and final season was put on hold on March 12, “to ensure the health and safety of our cast and crew,” according to a statement by production company Skydance.
“Grey’s Anatomy”
Showrunner Krista Vernoff, executive producer Debbie Allen and line producer James Williams announced the two-week production shut-down in a memo to the show’s cast and crew late on March 12, citing an “abundance of caution.”
“Out of an abundance of caution, production is postponed on Grey’s Anatomy effective immediately,” the trio wrote. “We are going home now for at least two weeks and waiting to see how the coronavirus situation evolves.
“This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of the whole cast and crew and the safety of our loved ones outside of work, and it was made in accordance with Mayor Garcetti’s suggestion that we not gather in groups of more than 50.
“Stay safe, stay healthy, stay hydrated, stay home as much as possible, and wash your hands frequently. Please take care of yourselves and each other. As updates come in, we will keep you informed.”
All active filming on Apple TV+ series
Shows include, “The Morning Show,” produced by Media Res, “Foundation,” produced by Sykdaynce, “See,” produced by Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor Content, “Servant,” produced by Blinding Edge Pictures, “Lisey’s Story,” produced by Warner Bros. and Bad Robot, “Mythic Quest,” produced by Lionsgate and “For All Mankind” produced by Sony.
“Riverdale”
“We have been made aware that a team member from ‘Riverdale,’ which is produced in Vancouver, was recently in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19,” “Riverdale” studio Warner Bros. Television said in a statement on Wednesday. “The team member is currently receiving medical evaluation. We are working closely with the appropriate authorities and health agencies in Vancouver to identify and contact all individuals who may have come into direct contact with our team member.”
“The health and safety of our employees, casts and crews is always our top priority,” the statement continues. “We have and will continue to take precautions to protect everyone who works on our productions around the world. Out of an abundance of caution, production on ‘Riverdale’ is currently suspended.”
Also Read: All the Movies Suspended or Delayed Due to Coronavirus Pandemic (Updating)
“American Ninja Warrior”
The NBC competition series, which was set to being production on a new season March 13, has been postponed.
“Survivor”
“Due to concerns and uncertainty surrounding the spread of COVID-19 globally, CBS and the producers of ‘Survivor’ have taken the precautionary measure to delay production on the 41st season, which was set to begin filming later this month in Fiji,” CBS said in a statement. “Pending worldwide events, the plan is to return to production on May 19. The health and safety of the castaways and production members is our top priority.”
“The Amazing Race”
“Due to increased concerns and uncertainty regarding the coronavirus around the world, CBS and the producers of ‘The Amazing Race’ have taken the precautionary measure of temporarily suspending production on the 33rd season of the series,” a CBS spokesperson said.
“All contestants and production staff are in the process of returning home,” continued the statement. “At this time, no Racers or anyone on the production team traveling with them have contracted the virus, or shown symptoms, and we are not aware of anyone being exposed to it. Out of an abundance of caution, everyone involved in the show will continue to be monitored when they return home. The health and well-being of the Racers and the production team are our top priorities.”
“Tooning Out the News”
“CBS All Access is delaying the previously announced March 16th launch of its new daily animated variety news series, ‘Tooning Out the News,’ and production of the series will be temporarily postponed out of an abundance of caution. The welfare of our teams is of utmost importance and we will continue to monitor the situation, informed by health experts and government officials,” the streaming platform and CBS TV Studios said in a statement.
Also Read: Late-Night Talk Shows Cancel Tapings Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA and The Masters
“The NBA announced that a player on the Utah Jazz has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19,” the league said in a statement. “The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of tonight’s game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. At that time, tonight’s game was canceled. The affected player was not in the arena.”
The statement continued, “The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”
The National Hockey League and Major League Baseball have also moved to suspend their respective seasons amid the pandemic, and the NCAA has canceled its winter and spring championships.
Augusta National Golf Club postponed The Masters, which is the most prestigious PGA Tour tournament of the season, on March 13.
“The Wendy Williams Show”
The announcement was made in a memo to staff on March 12: “The safety and well-being of our employees is our top priority. Considering the current escalation of the Coronavirus, production will be put on hold, indefinitely. However, the office will remain open for you to pick up any materials or personal items. In place of live shows we will air repeats and we will continue to monitor the situation with the CDC and city officials to determine the best time to return and produce live shows again. Thank you for everything you do and please stay safe!”
“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Late Night With Seth Meyers”
Following an earlier decision to cancel live audiences, both NBC late-night talk shows canceled a week’s worth of episodes entirely, starting a planned production hiatus early. A decision about future shows will be made at a later date, but the earliest either show could return would be March 30.
Also Read: 'Riverdale' Suspends Production After 'Team Member' Comes in Contact With Coronavirus Case
“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert”
CBS has also canceled a week of tapings for “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” saying the show would “continue to monitor the situation closely with plans to return on Monday, March 30.”
“Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune”
The Sony-produced “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” are shooting without live audiences.
Related stories from TheWrap:
'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' 'Late Late Show' and 'The Talk' All Forgo Live Audiences Over Coronavirus Fears
CinemaCon 2020 Canceled Over Coronavirus Fears
NBA Suspends Current Season After Player Tests Positive for Coronavirus
Clare Crawley on Coronavirus Delaying ‘Bachelorette’ Production: ‘I’ve Waited 38 Years for These Moments, What’s a Little Bit Longer’
Clare Crawley can’t hurry love. No, she’ll just have to wait — because concerns over the coronavirus pandemic recently pushed back the start of production on her season of “The Bachelorette.”
But Season 16’s 38-year-old star, who is the oldest Bachelorette in the history of the ABC reality dating show’s franchise, is OK with that because “everyone’s health is the most important priority at this time.”
“Well hello! Talk about most dramatic season ever!” Crawley wrote in an Instagram post Friday, which was accompanied by a picture of her and “Bachelor” franchise host Chris Harrison. “In all seriousness, Everyone’s health is the most important priority at this time, and as I’m sure you’ve heard, we are pressing pause for now on filming The Bachelorette.”
Also Read: All the TV Productions Suspended or Delayed Due to Coronavirus Pandemic (Updating)
She continued: “We are taking it day by day and even hour by hour as this is so unpredictable. All I know for sure is that my heart is so full from all the love and support this far, and am still so excited for my journey to begin! I’ve waited 38 years for these moments, what’s a little bit longer, right! xoxo”
“The Bachelorette,” which is produced by Warner Bros TV, is just one of many TV series that have delayed or suspended production over the past week, as coronavirus continues to spread.
“With the rapidly changing events related to COVID-19, and out of an abundance of caution, Warner Bros. Television Group is halting production on some of our 70+ series and pilots currently filming or about to begin,” the studio said in a statement Friday. “The health and safety of our employees, casts and crews remains our top priority. During this time, we will continue to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control as well as local officials and public health professionals in each city where our productions are based.”
See “Bachelorette” Crawley’s post below.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Clare Crawley (@clarecrawley) on Mar 13, 2020 at 8:36pm PDT
Related stories from TheWrap:
More Than Half of Clare Crawley's 'Bachelorette' Suitors Are at Least 10 Years Younger
Here's Why It Makes Sense That ABC Chose Clare Crawley, Oldest Bachelorette in History
‘Westworld': How Many Delos Destinations Theme Parks Are There?
The first two seasons of HBO’s sci-fi series “Westworld” centered on Westworld, the fictional old west-style theme park run by the fictional company Delos. Obviously, given the title of the show, that was to be expected.
But viewers of the Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy-created series soon found out that Westworld wasn’t the lone Delos-created theme park. The “world” inhabited by Hosts like Dolores Abernathy (Evan Rachel Wood), Maeve (Thandie Newton), Teddy (James Marsden) and frequented by guests like William a.k.a. The Man in Black (Ed Harris), is actually one of several experiences available to customers of Delos Destinations.
Ahead of “Westworld” Season 3’s premiere on Sunday, fans know that Delos’ attraction is made up of six theme parks in total. We have complete confirmation of this number courtesy of the HBO-created Delos Destinations website, which promotes six “worlds,” but doesn’t give away the names/descriptions for all of them.
Also Read: 'Westworld' Season 2 Explained: The Key Things to Remember Before Season 3
But, of course, we’ve already seen three of the parks on the show during Season 1 and 2. And a fourth has popped up in the marketing for Season 3. Here are the parks that we currently know of: Park 1, Westworld; Park 2, Shogunworld; Park 3, Warworld; and Park 6, The Raj.
The only park that “Westworld” viewers actually got to see in Season 1 was Westworld, though Shogunworld was teased somewhat in the finale. And in Season 2, we went inside Shogunworld, the park modeled after Japan’s Edo period, and The Raj, an attraction inspired by the period between 1858 and 1947 during which the British Crown ruled over the Indian subcontinent.
Even though Season 3 doesn’t premiere until Sunday, we know that it will introduce us to Warworld, a park that is meant to replicate the Nazi Germany-occupied Italy during World War II. Fans were treated to their first glimpses of Warworld via several teasers and trailers for the show’s third season.
Also Read: 'Westworld' Season 3 Features Cameos by 'Game of Thrones' Showrunners David Benioff, Dan Weiss
You can see the promotional pages for the six theme parks below, courtesy of Delos Destinations’ website. (You’ll notice that Park 3 is not specifically labeled Warworld and the image for it is all scrambled up, but we’re sure it’s just a matter of HBO waiting for Season 3 to premiere before officially revealing the park on the website.)
For those of you who need to brush up on “Westworld” Season 2 before the third season premieres on Sunday — it’s really been a long time at this point, so you probably should — you can read our rundown of the things you’ll need to remember from Season 2 right here.
“Westworld” Season 3 premieres Sunday at 9/8c on HBO.
Related stories from TheWrap:
'Westworld' Season 2 Explained: The Key Things to Remember Before Season 3
'Westworld' Season 3 Features Cameos by 'Game of Thrones' Showrunners David Benioff, Dan Weiss
HBO Shares First Batch of 'Westworld' Season 3 Titles, New Images for You to Obsess Over (Photos)
Trump Has Tested Negative for Coronavirus, Extends Travel Ban to UK and Ireland
UPDATED March 14 at 5:45 p.m. PT
President Donald Trump has tested negative for the coronavirus, according to a White House statement.
During a Saturday press briefing that he was tested Friday night for the coronavirus and that the European travel ban would be extended to the United Kingdom and Ireland as of midnight Monday.
Saturday evening, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement that the president tested negative for the coronavirus and has remained symptoms-free one week after dining with two Brazilian delegates at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, who tested positive for COVID-19.
“Last night after an in-depth discussion with the President regarding COVID-19 testing, he elected to proceed,” the statement reads. “One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago, the President remains symptom-free. I have been in daily contact with the CDC and White House Coronavirus Task Force, and we are encouraging the implementation of all their best practices for exposure reduction and transmission mitigation.”
Also Read: President Trump Declares Coronavirus Pandemic a National Emergency
During a news conference in the White House briefing room earlier Saturday, reporters pressed the president as to why he hadn’t taken a test, considering he interacted with multiple people who have tested positive. Trump responded by saying he “took the test last night,” “only because the press is going crazy.”
Before exiting the room, reporters shouted out, asking what his temperature was. The president said on his way out, “Totally normal.”
Trump said on Friday that he would “probably” be tested, only for the White House doctor to issue a statement shortly thereafter explaining why he shouldn’t be tested or self-quarantine despite those interactions.
“The President’s exposure to the first individual was extremely limited (photograph, handshake), and though he spent more time in close proximity to the second case, all interactions occurred before any symptom onset,” Conley wrote in the memo. “These interactions would be categorized as LOW risk for transmission per CDC guidelines, and as such, there is no indication for home quarantine at this time.” Conley continued: “Additionally, given the president himself remains without symptoms, testing for COVID-19 is not currently indicated.”
The extended travel ban will undoubtedly be an additional challenge for film and TV production, which is already burdened by the shutdown and postponement of productions as a precautionary measure due to the spread of coronavirus.
Wednesday, President issued a travel ban restricting travel from 26 countries in Europe in response to the growing coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions began Friday at midnight and will be in place for 30 days. The United Kingdom and Ireland were exempt from the restrictions, along with American citizens “who have undergone appropriate screenings,” the president said.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Coronavirus: The Canceled Events in Tech, Media, Politics and Entertainment (Updating)
All the Movies Suspended or Delayed Due to Coronavirus Pandemic (Updating)
All the TV Productions Suspended or Delayed Due to Coronavirus Pandemic (Updating)
Ben Carson Gets Roasted for Coughing Into His Hand at Coronavirus Press Conference
Surgeon turned U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson got throttled on Saturday for coughing directly into his hand during his opening remarks at a White House press conference addressing the coronavirus pandemic.
Because, as many of us know by now, that’s not the proper way to cough to avoid spreading germs, and because Carson is not just a doctor, but a brain surgeon, many Twitter users had a field day with the misstep.
“Neurosurgeon Ben Carson coughed in his hand and then placed that same hand on the podium,” one user tweeted.
“Dr. Ben Carson, neurosurgeon extraordinaire, coughing into his hands at a press conference about the coronavirus pandemic is appalling,” Cool Quit founder and CEO Eugene Gu wrote. “Doctors are supposed to be role models during a health emergency. Instead, Dr. Carson uses his platform to carelessly showcase dangerous habits.”
Also Read: All the TV Productions Suspended or Delayed Due to Coronavirus Pandemic (Updating)
Another tweeted: “In a presser for coronapreparedness, Ben Carson just coughed into his hand and touched his face, un-ironically giving a demonstration on exactly what not to do.”
For those of you wondering, here are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s specific instructions for how best to cough in order “to help stop the spread of germs”:
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Put your used tissue in a waste basket.
If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
So yes, according to the CDC, Carson should not have coughed directly into his hand or, as one Twitter user put it: “Ben Carson showing us HOW NOT TO COUGH IN PUBLIC.”
Also Read: Trump Says He's Been Tested for Coronavirus, Extends Travel Ban to UK and Ireland
Readers can see just a handful (sorry for the pun) of the reactions to Carson’s cough below.
Dr. Ben Carson, neurosurgeon extraordinaire, coughing into his hands at a press conference about the coronavirus pandemic is appalling. Doctors are supposed to be role models during a health emergency. Instead, Dr. Carson uses his platform to carelessly showcase dangerous habits. pic.twitter.com/uF6auyZYPn
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) March 14, 2020
Neurosurgeon Ben Carson coughed in his hand and then placed that same hand on the podium pic.twitter.com/IRKOGKqMQH
— Eddy (@LebaneseJokerYT) March 14, 2020
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to know that you shouldn't cough into your hand, and then touch your face, during a coronavirus outbreak.
Dr. Ben Carson, actual brain surgeon: pic.twitter.com/AHT5PH3Xjg
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) March 14, 2020
Donald Trump's day so far:
- Now claims he has been tested for coronavirus, after his doctor said he didn't need it
- #TrumpPlague is trending
- Meltdown about reporter Kelly O'Donnell
- Ben Carson doesn't know how to cough right
- Trump is going to prison
- It's still only 2pm
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) March 14, 2020
In a presser for coronapreparedness, Ben Carson just coughed into his hand and touched his face, un-ironically giving a demonstration on exactly what not to do.
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) March 14, 2020
Ben Carson showing us HOW NOT TO COUGH IN PUBLIC pic.twitter.com/QsVFBYxVjf
— Meena Harris (@meenaharris) March 14, 2020
neurosurgeon dr ben carson leading by example – coughing directly into his hand & immediately touching the podium pic.twitter.com/5gmFR4goHg
— molly conger (@socialistdogmom) March 14, 2020
Ben Carson just coughed into his hand.
— Mieke "Self-Quarantine as a Precaution" Eoyang (@MiekeEoyang) March 14, 2020
Dr. Ben Carson starts his speech by coughing into his hand.
— Jason Lynch (@jasonlynch) March 14, 2020
Ben Carson opens his remarks by coughing into his hand at the podium. pic.twitter.com/enUEPmfTUD
— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) March 14, 2020
The first thing Ben Carson does is cough into his hand. Nice.
— Michael Reinholz (@mikereinholz777) March 14, 2020
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Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Gender-Bending Rock Musician and Artist, Dies at 70
Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, the pioneering and boundary-pushing British rock musician and performance artist, died Saturday at age 70 after a battle with leukemia, according to an announcement by he/r daughter’s manager on Ryan Martin’s Facebook page.
P-Orridge, who first rose to fame as frontperson for the influential British rock bands Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV, identified as third-gender and used the pronouns s/he and h/er.
In addition to musical work, P-Orridge also pushed boundaries with a series of surgeries seeking to merge identities with h/er wife, Jacqueline Mary Breyer, in a single genderless entity they dubbed a “pandrogyne.” Jacqueline Breyer died in 2007.
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Born Neil Andrew Megson in Manchester, England, P-Orridge adopted a new identity during the psychedelic 1960s amid a brief stint in art school and a longer period leading a London commune. In 1976, P-Orridge’s COUM collective organized a revolutionary 1976 art exhibit called “Prostitution” that featured strippers, pornography and used tampons.
The commune also formed the basis for the “industrial rock” band Throbbing Gristle, whose songs often featured white noise, tape-based samples and spoken-word poetry. Concerts were similarly edgy, often featuring nudity, self-mutilation and images of Nazi concentration camps.
P-Orridge found a broader rock audience in the 1980s as leader of Psychic TV, an acid-house band that managed to release a new full-length album monthly for 23 straight months.
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‘Altered Carbon’ Explainer: What the Heck Are ‘Meths’?
(Note: This post contains light spoilers for season 1 of “Altered Carbon” on Netflix. This is just basic premise and terminology stuff, so you you don’t have to worry about learning about plot of season 2 that you haven’t gotten to yet.)
The Netflix sci-fi series “Altered Carbon” is pretty dense with weird sci-fi things and terminology, and generally doesn’t have a lot of interest in making sure you know what all these concepts are before having characters discuss them at length. In season 1, though, you could kind of just figure all of it out as you went along but now, two years later, season 2 does not really even try to remind you what all that stuff is.
The primary concept that informs the show’s world, and thus the esoteric sci-fi concept that is mentioned most often, is the “Stack,” a small computer inserted into people’s brains when they turn one year old, on which a person’s consciousness is installed like software. The result is that even if your body is killed, as long as your Stack is undamaged it can be inserted into a new body, allowing you to go on living, at least in theory. In “Altered Carbon,” switching into a new body, or “sleeve,” is pretty common, and doing so extends people’s lifespans considerably.
Not everyone can afford to live forever, however. They might change bodies now and again, but bodies are expensive, and there’s another big risk: Apparently, changing sleeves too many times damages your consciousness (basically driving you permanently insane). In “Altered Carbon,” the most long-lived people are the ones who have the insane wealth necessary to get around these complications.
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The term that gets tossed around for these people is “meth,” and the word gets used quite a bit in “Altered Carbon,” but what exactly it means can be tough to pick up from context. “Meth” is actually short for “Methuselah.” In the Hebrew Bible, Methuselah was the longest-lived man of all time. He appears briefly in the Book of Genesis as part of the genealogy connecting Adam to Noah. His deeds aren’t chronicled, but he’s listed as the grandfather of Noah, and the Bible says he lived to be 969 years old. And thus, according to the Bible, is the oldest person who ever lived.
So in season 1 the meth we get to know the best is Laurens Bancroft (James Purefoy), the guy that series protagonist Takeshi Kovacs (Joel Kinnaman) works for. Bancroft is so insanely rich that he can do two things most people can’t. First, he can create backups of his consciousness and have them stored on a secure satellite, in case he’s killed. For most people, if their Stack is destroyed, that’s the end of the line, but a meth can pay the insane cost of a backup that would allow them to, theoretically, live beyond the destruction of their Stack.
Next, Bancroft has a supply of clones of his own original body, kept in cold storage. While switching sleeves degrades the consciousness in your Stack over time because your mind has trouble acclimating to the unnatural state of being placed into new bodies over and over, replacing a Stack into your own clone gets around this issue. There’s no shock to your consciousness, so you don’t go insane from the constant body swapping.
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As a result, Bancroft is one of the oldest people ever. He’s been around for hundreds of years. He remembers the uprising that Takeshi was part of some 250 years before the main action of the show, in fact — but Takeshi was in storage, while Bancroft has been alive and consciousness all that time.
The term “meth,” then, is a direct reference to rich people who are incredibly old and have lived unnaturally long lives. They’re the only people who can afford the technological equivalent of immortality in “Altered Carbon,” or at least the closest thing to it. Their riches make them the envy of everyone, which might also be why meths tend to live above the clouds, away from the lower, dirtier existence of the less fortunate.
In season 2, Meths are again at the center of events, with the plot involving the founders of Takeshi’s home planet, Harlan’s World. The founders, who are all still alive, are textbook Meths, and thus the term gets thrown around a lot. But hey, now that you’ve read this little refresher, you’re all set.
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‘Westworld’ Season 2 Explained: The Key Things to Remember Before Season 3
(Warning: This post contains all the spoilers for “Westworld” season 2. But presumably that’s what you’re here for.)
We’re so close, finally, to season 3 of “Westworld.” This was already a big television event, but it’s probably an even larger one now with the coronavirus pandemic causing so many people to become temporary shut-ins. But it’s been so long since “Westworld” season 2 wrapped up all the way back in 2018. That season was so narratively complicated that it can be tough to remember everything that happened even if you had just watched it — but the fact that it’s been nearly two years makes it even tougher.
But don’t worry, because TheWrap is here to remind you of and explain the most important things that happened in the Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy-created show so that you’re ready for the returns of Dolores (Wood), Bernard (Jeffrey Wright), Charlotte Hale (Tessa Thompson), Maeve (Thandie Newton), William (Ed Harris) and the debuts of new characters like Caleb (Aaron Paul), as the show ventures out of Westworld and into the “real world” on its Season 3 premiere.
Now as you may or may not remember, Season 2 consisted of two different main timelines — with some other flashbacks thrown in for good measure — and it wasn’t clear when certain events took place until the finale. So, in order to make this as easy as possible for you to process, we’re going to break down “Westworld” Season 2 by noting the key moments from those 10 episodes. So let’s dive in.
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1. The immediate aftermath of Dolores killing Ford (Anthony Hopkins) at the end of Season 1 led to a season-long battle between the hosts and the humans for control over the park.
Dolores was the leader of the rebel Hosts inside Westworld, of course, and she tried to make Teddy go along with it. Which ultimately led to him killing himself over what she had turned him into when she had him altered to be more amenable to her brutal approach to the fight.
Meanwhile, Maeve was doing her own thing with Hector, Lee, Felix and Armistice, as she revolted against her coding in an attempt to reunite with the daughter she had in a previously programmed storyline. Maeve also learned during this time that she had the ability to control other Hosts via the “mesh network” that unites them all and her trip took the gang into Shogun World, a park we’d previously never seen.
On the human side, Delos, Inc. executive Charlotte Hale, who survived the massacre at the party where Dolores killed Ford, was focused on trying to get important encrypted information (located inside the head of Dolores’ father, the host Peter Abernathy) out of the park so that the company would rescue her, her employees or any of the guests.
This was a continuation of a big plot line from Season 1, when Charlotte and Theresa Cullen (Sidse Babett Knudsen) were trying to sneak various pieces of the company’s intellectual property out of Westworld so Ford couldn’t bury them when he retired. But Dolores got that information instead.
2. Bernard was in a state of confusion all season, having lost certain key chunks of his memory, which we eventually found out he had removed himself.
OK, so this is complicated. Midway through the season, Elsie — who teamed back up with Bernard even though he tried to kill her in Season 1! — sent Bernard’s mind inside the Cradle, the bunker in Westworld that stores complete copies of the programming and memories for every Host, as well as the programming for the park environments. Like the Matrix, basically.
And it turned out that a copy of Ford lived in the Cradle. And while Bernard was in there, the copy of Ford basically piggybacked into his robot brain, a.k.a. his control unit “pearl.” (By the way, Dolores’ team destroys the Cradle soon after this occurs, so all the data that was stored there is gone.)
So after that, this digital Ford was in Bernard’s head, trying to steer him to The Forge, the place where the park keeps all the data it has collected about its guests. (It is also the place where you can set all the Hosts “free” by opening the “door” to “The Valley Beyond” — more on that in a bit.)
Eventually, however, Bernard “deletes” Ford from his system, and it takes a lot of effort because Ford is actively fighting to control him.
Then, near the end of the season, we learn that a lot of the damage to Bernard’s mind was a matter of perspective: Bernard had essentially wrecked his own brain in order to prevent the company QA guys from being able to just look in his head and figure out what went down. And so a lot of the weird Bernard scenes were actually him exploring his damaged memories.
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3. The ultimate purpose of Westworld and the other parks was actually to figure out how to replicate human consciousness into a Host body.
So while folks were visiting the parks, the hats they would wear contained a sort of brain scanner that would record everything they were doing while going buck wild in the free-for-all environment. The idea was that this could be used to figure out essentially how to record human consciousness as data, and then use that process to copy real minds into manufactured host bodies.
The Delos founder, James Delos, died of an illness during the early days of the park, and was William’s first attempt at making this replication happen. They recreated his mind using the data they had gathered from their brain monitoring system, and inserted it into a body that was identical to his real one. But while these sorts of minds could live comfortably inside the Cradle, they would basically go insane after a few days in the real world. So they tried to bring Delos back this way over and over for decades, performing all these trials in the bunker inside Westworld known as the Forge. It didn’t work.
4. Dolores stole a bunch of guest info
Dolores knows all about those brain copying experiments in Westworld thanks to her recovered memories, and so she and Bernard head to the Forge later on — using the encryption key that had been inside Dolores’ father’s head the whole season. The information is kept inside “books” within the simulated world of the Forge that Dolores and Bernard enter, and Dolores reads through as many of these as she can before they exit.
5. Several Hosts went into “The Valley Beyond,” including Maeve’s daughter.
The “door” to The Valley Beyond was opened when Bernard and Dolores were inside the Forge, and they learn that the Valley was created by Arnold to give the Hosts an escape to a real life in a world all their own. Akecheta, along with his true love and his tribe, all make it through the door, as does Maeve’s daughter — but Dolores decides she is gonna destroy the Forge and the Valley Beyond with it.
Dolores says the only place she and the other Hosts deserved to be was the real world outside Westworld that they had been denied. In response, Bernard says he won’t let her hurt anymore people (humans or hosts) and kills her before she can do any real damage to the Forge, which she had started the protocol to flood. The door to the Valley Beyond is shut, meaning no more hosts can enter, when Bernard removes the encryption key and takes it with him on his way out of the semi-flooded Forge.
6. Bernard puts Dolores’ mind inside a Host copy of Hale.
After Bernard killed Dolores and rejoined the humans, he’s devastated when he sees that a giant massacre has occurred — because Hale had all the Hosts who didn’t make it through the door killed. Then he witnesses Hale murdering Elsie and realizes how corrupt the Delos exec really is. That’s when Bernard realizes Dolores was right all along and so he “imagines” Ford again to help guide him as he builds a Host replica of Hale, and puts Dolores’ control unit inside of it. Then he sends “Halores” to go kill the real Hale and assume her identity. After doing this, Bernard scrambles his memories of the last week’s events, as mentioned above, and is then found by the extraction team on the beach — which is where he was at the very start of the season when viewers first saw him.
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7. Dolores exited Westworld inside of Charlotte Hale’s body and took five Host control unit pearls with her.
When Hale (but really Dolores) and the extraction team take Bernard back to the Forge to try to recover the guest data they have been looking for, they find the encryption key hidden inside Dolores’ dead body, which is still lying on the floor. Bernard begins to remember what he did and Hale/Dolores reveals who she really is before killing the team. She uses the encryption key to transmit the Forge’s data — which includes both the guests’ info and the hosts’ Valley Beyond world — to a place in space where “no one will ever find them” and leaves “no passage between their world and ours.” Then she kills Bernard, saying there is no way for them to escape as “us.”
After that, Hale (Dolores) goes to exit Westworld and runs into Stubbs before she can leave. He gives her a speech in which he strongly implies he might be a Host himself before he lets her pass without scanning her to confirm she’s human. Once she’s in the boat to leave the island, we see she has five control unit pearls in her purse. We don’t know who four of them are, but we do know one is Bernard because…
8. Dolores is now in the real world, inside a copy of her original body, and has remade Bernard — and kept Hale’s body, too.
At the very end of the Season 2 finale we see that Dolores is inside the house that Arnold built for himself and his family out in the real world, and she has rebuilt Bernard and put his pearl inside that body. He can’t quite figure out why she would have brought him back, since he is still at odds with her entire world view — but it appears to be a checks-and-balances thing Dolores wants in place if “they” (the Host kind) are going to survive. We also see that the Host version of Hale is still around, but since Dolores is in her own skin again, we don’t know who is inside Hale. We also don’t know who is in those three other pearls! But we know one probably isn’t Teddy, because Dolores put him inside the Valley Beyond before shooting it off, and then left his pearl behind.
9. William killed his daughter, Emily.
He was convinced Emily (Katja Herbers) was a Host sent by Ford to terrorize him, and he was very mistaken. In a flashback, we learn that he feels responsible for his wife’s death — she killed herself after she learned about his brutal behavior in Westworld — and in a flash-forward (which was a post-credits scene for the Season 2 finale) we learn that some time in the distant future he appears to now be a Host himself. And he’s being tested by another Host named Grace, who happens to look exactly like his daughter.
10. A lot of other people — both humans and Hosts — died.
By the end of season 2, these characters are dead: Maeve, Hector and Lee (though we know that Thandie Newton, Rodrigo Santoro and Simon Quarterman are all returning for Season 3), Angela, Costa, Strand, Clementine, Emily, Teddy, Elsie Hughes, Armistice, Japanese Armistice and Robert Ford. As we all know, the Hosts that weren’t sent to the Valley Beyond could be brought back as long as their control units are intact, since the copies of their data were lost when the Cradle was destroyed. The humans, well, they can’t come back — at least not as humans.
11. We still don’t know the full picture of what went on in the other parks.
There are six parks that make up Delos Destinations and we currently know of four of them: Westworld, Shogun World, The Raj and now War World (as teased by Nolan and Joy and the trailers for Season 3). So we’re still waiting to find out what those other two parks are, or how the Host uprising was resolved in all the parks other than Westworld.
The uprising extended to all those other parks too, after all, as we saw a Host murder a guest in The Raj, and we got two whole episodes about hosts on their own journeys of self-discovery in Shogun World. But while we saw the end of the Westworld part of this little war, we did not find out in Season 2 what went down in the other parks that we saw.
“Westworld” Season 3 premieres Sunday at 9/8c on HBO.
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