Sandy swamps NYC TV tapings

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With all of the power outages, flooding and transportation issues, Sandy/Frankenstorm is wreaking havoc with New York TV production. Most talk shows and prime-time dramas produced there were shut down Monday, and are dark Tuesday as well.


Jimmy Kimmel, who was to have taped five shows in Brooklyn, his hometown, starting Monday, canceled at least the first, which was to have featured guests Chris Rock, Kelly Ripa and Alicia Keys. “Though it pains us to do it, JFK from Brooklyn tonight is cancelled,” he wrote on Twitter. “I’m disappointed too, but we want you to be safe.” ABC expanded Nightline to one hour with storm coverage.

Also dark were most syndicated talk shows. A week before the election, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report also substitute repeats Monday night. “Tomorrow’s tapings are TBD and will be evaluated as the day and storm track progresses,” spokesman Steve Albani told USA Today.

CBS’ Late Show With David Letterman taped Monday night’s show, without an audience, though it moved taping an hour earlier, to 3:30 p.m., with guest Denzel Washington. It also planned to tape Tuesday, without an audience. NBC’s Late Night With Jimmy Fallon was “all systems go,” NBC’s Rebecca Marks said on Monday, also with no audience.

As for prime-time series, CBS’ Elementary, Blue Bloods, The Good Wife, Person of Interest and midseason drama Golden Boy all suspended production Monday and Tuesday. New York City officials pulled outdoor filming permits, and while studio soundstages were unaffected, “We don’t want to get in people’s ways,” network spokesman Chris Ender told the paper, who also cited “logistical issues” including power and transportation.

With New York’s mass-transit system suspended, there’s no easy way to shuttle studio audiences to show tapings.

See the USA Today story here