Hollywood COVID Protocols Extended to Feb. 13

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterThe omicron wave has peaked across the country, and states including New York and California are once again easing up on their COVID restrictions.But in the entertainment industry, there is no rush to get back to “normal.” The studios and unions are largely holding firm on the set of COVID production protocols that has been in place since the summer of 2020. Both sides are in talks this week on adjustments to the plan — which is formally set to expire on Sunday.

Jan DeWitt, who produced over 500 hours of television and features, including many episodes of Bones and Judging Amy, died as a result of Covid on the morning of January 29 at his home in Santa Barbara. His friend and partner, Charlene, was by his side and his daughter, Anika, was on the phone from Colorado when he passed. He was 75.

Seth Rogan totally gets why many people don’t care about Hollywood stars giving themselves a pat on the back. The actor revealed that he sympathized with people who won’t be tuning in at this year’s Oscars.The Academy Awards, known as the movie industry’s biggest night of the year, has experienced a drop in viewership over recent years. "I don’t get why movie people care so much if other people care what awards we give ourselves," the "Pineapple Express" star told Insider on Thursday.

What’s an award season without a little controversy? Beyond some online discourse, there hasn’t been much for the 2021-2022 season. That changed on Wednesday with a surprising report the Oscars will not be requiring attendees to be vaccinated.

Sydney Sweeney may be linked to one of Hollywood’s hottest hunks in season 2 of Euphoria (AKA Jacob Elordi), but she has no intention of ever catching feelings for one of her co-stars IRL!

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterAt some point in the past decade, Hollywood stopped looking at the burgeoning Chinese box office as found money and instead embraced the theatrical market’s windfall for what it has become: a necessity.Today, whether or not blockbuster plays in China could mean the difference between hundreds of millions of dollars in ticket sales. That reality is downright painful at a time when China has continued to deny releases for Hollywood’s biggest 2021 movies, such as Disney’s “Black Widow,” “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and “Eternals,” as well as Sony’s “Venom: Let There Be Carnage.” And the few films that were given access to Chinese movie theaters, including MGM’s James Bond sequel “No Time to Die” and Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” remake, earned far less than their studios had expected.

On Sunday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 65 new deaths from Covid-19, along with 7,017 new positive cases.

Andy Cohen officially has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

Thandiwe Newton is apologizing for the benefits she says she’s gotten as a light-skinned Black actress.

“Why can’t he learn how to give a better speech?” With the State of the Union address looming next month, Joe Biden’s Hollywood critics and supporters increasingly ask that question as they see his approval ratings tank even as his policies gain favor.

Malina Saval Associate Editor, FeaturesWhether you’re a bigshot Hollywood helmer or hankering to pretend you’re one, the brand new Director Suite at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills (300 Doheny Dr.) will set you up in high-flying style. The 10th floor luxury accommodations, modeled after the famed hotel’s residences, are awash in shafts of soft California sunlight, with three step-out balconies providing sweeping views of the rolling Hollywood hills and downtown Los Angeles in the distance.

Angie Harmon is reflecting on the new direction her career has taken since she ended her reign as Jane Clementine Rizzoli on "Rizzoli & Isles." The 49-year-old spoke to reporters on Wednesday about her latest role in the Lifetime original film, "Buried in Barstow," in which Harmon stars as Hazel King, a single mother who is "determined to shield her daughter from the life she once had while protecting and defending those who can't protect themselves." "Plucked off the streets of Las Vegas at 15, Hazel was trained as a hitwoman until a surprising pregnancy drives her to leave it all behind," the show’s synopsis explains. "Living as a single mother running a diner in Barstow with her teenage daughter, Hazel’s past eventually catches up with her and she’s pulled back in for one more hit." Angie Harmon is reflecting on the new direction her career has taken since she ended her reign as Jane Clementine Rizzoli on 'Rizzoli & Isles.' (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer) Harmon, who also pulls double duty as an executive producer on the made-for-TV film, spoke to the difficulties of getting the project off the ground and explained the "learning process" she experienced even with her sustained longevity in show business.

It was reported on January 9th the comedian and actor Bob Saget, who notably starred as the patriarch on ABC’s Full House, died at age 65. Since that day, friends and family have found various ways to honor his legacy. One such way is through music and comedy as Bob Saget’s wife Kelly, daughters and friends put together a farewell concert for Saget at the Comedy Store–the very place Saget built his career.

Heating up in Hollywood! If you love Greek cuisine or if you’re searching for new toys for your child, Us Weekly has you covered.

On Saturday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 73 new deaths from Covid-19, as well as 21,709 new positive cases.

Jamie Dornan came to Hollywood with some of his fellow British friends hoping to break into the film industry… and they’re all huge stars now.

Taylor Lautner is stepping back into the spotlight — and revealing his complicated feelings about it.