Readers who have been following our stories are likely aware of the human tragedy unfolding on the West Coast, with swaths of homes ravaged, and five people losing their lives, since Tuesday in the fires across Los Angeles. One of the most heartbreaking pieces RedState published Thursday was from my colleague Jennifer Van Laar, who shared side by side, before-and-after images from the Palisades Fire, hammering home the wide-spread damage to residents’ lives that this disaster has caused.
Advertisement
Of a lesser importance of course is how this will affect Hollywood and the entertainment world in general–although, as I wrote previously, even there, we see stories about living, breathing human beings and their lives getting turned on their heads–with little to no advance warning.
Read more:
New Aerial Photos From Palisades Fire Show Unfathomable Devastation
It’s worth remembering, too, that the hometown of the entertainment industry only exists because of the efforts of thousands of anonymous, every day workers. Here are two new stories that emerged on Thursday, which will jolt many of those normal people’s livelihoods.
On Thursday morning, it appeared that the L.A. Rams’ home Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings would go off without a hitch, with the team front office releasing a statement confirming that the game was on. At the same time, they left some wiggle room on the possibility that the NFL could decide on an alternate site (emphasis mine):
The safety of the Los Angeles community is our top priority, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by the fires in the area. We are grateful for the tireless efforts of first responders who continue to protect our city and community as well as individuals who continue to help our neighbors in need.
As of now, the Wild Card playoff game featuring your Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings remains scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium on Monday night at 5 PM PT. As with all games, the NFL has contingency plans in the event a change in location is needed due to the tragic fires in our region. If the NFL decides a change in location is needed, the game would be played on Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. That is currently only a contingency plan and if that happens we will inform all ticket holders via email what that means for their current tickets.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and remain in contact with local officials, the NFL and NFLPA.
We hope you all are somewhere safe and we hope to see you Monday night.
Los Angeles Rams
Advertisement
It echoed the NFL’s own statement on the tough situation from Wednesday evening:
Now, the Monday NFL football game has indeed been relocated to Glendale, Arizona, and State Farm Stadium (home of the Arizona Cardinals), according to a breaking update by KTAR News/Arizona Sports.
The NFL is moving Monday’s NFC Wild Card playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings to State Farm Stadium with multiple fires ongoing in L.A., the league announced on Thursday.
“The decision was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs and the NFLPA,” the NFL said in a statement.
It continued:
“The NFL’s priority is the safety of the Los Angeles community, We are grateful for the tireless efforts of the first responders. Our hearts are with Los Angeles and everyone affected by the fires.”
Also included in the statement were details on how ticketing for the reshuffled game will be handled:
Tickets will go on sale Friday at 11 a.m. MST for Rams season ticket holders and 1 p.m. MST for the general public, according to the NFL.
Then there’s this plot twist. If you tried to tune in Thursday night to the newest version of “Hollywood Squares,” which was set to make its debut at 8 p.m. PST, you were in for some disappointment–again, because of the heavy loss that so many people are experiencing from the fires.
Advertisement
It got bumped. Instead, it will be postponed until next Thursday, Variety reported, for a couple of reasons.
The network executives and/or the show’s producers thought it would come across as tone-deaf. Plus, the Los Angeles affiliate that airs the show, KCBS, would likely have preempted it locally with news coverage of the fires, so better safe than sorry.
According to insiders, the decision was made because it didn’t feel appropriate to showcase a lighthearted show featuring celebrities joking with each other at this moment due to the severity of the fires and the number of celebrities who have lost homes in the disaster.
Also, CBS’ KCBS-TV has been airing wall-to-wall news coverage of the fires and is likely to continue to do so tonight. For the rest of the country, CBS will now air repeats of “George and Mandy’s First Marriage” and “Ghosts” in the 8 p.m. hour.
There have been a few different “Hollywood Squares” programs. I loved the first one, which aired until 1980, with the wacky Paul Lynde as the star in the center square. X user Michael Warburton was kind enough to compile the showbiz personality’s funniest lines:
Back to the new show. I found this tidbit interesting, and maybe some of my fellow members of GenX, who grew up on the original version, will too: One of the producers of the new “Hollywood Squares,” actress and daytime TV host Drew Barrymore, who stole our hearts in “E.T.” and other ’80s family fare, is the center square.
Advertisement
Reminder…There are so many great stories awaiting you, not only here at RedState, but if you join up for VIP Gold membership, you’ll have access to VIP articles across all of the Townhall Media sites, including Townhall, Twitchy, HotAir, Bearing Arms, and PJ Media. And remember: the new Platinum level gets you access to all of the Townhall sites, including VIP content, plus access to a catalog of feature-length films, and a credit to the new Townhall store. We’re offering 50% off VIP memberships when you use code SAVEAMERICA. You can use that to upgrade (the VIP Platinum or Gold annual memberships are by far the best value!) or to give the gift of RedState VIP membership to a friend or family member. Come on board the Townhall Media team…and thank you in advance!