Winfrey, Roberts appear in global virus relief livestream

PBS Memorial Day concert shifts to TV event

OBy Jonathan Landrum Jr

prah Winfrey keeps updated with the coronavirus news, but she has often focused her attention more on the positive “acts of valor” while being on lockdown during the pandemic.

The media mogul said Friday evening that she wants people to digest daily information wisely during the Call to Unite 24-hour livestream global relief event. She was among 200 star-studded participants including President Bill Clinton and Julia Roberts to take part in the event.

The event was initiated to help inspire people to endure and overcome the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I have a small diet and managed how I took in the news,” said Winfrey on Friday evening from her home, where she has been self-quarantining with three others for nearly 50 days. She said she hopes the event can help the world become better. “If you leave it on all the time – as I know some people do – you will be consumed by the agitation, the hysteria, the confusion and constant angst that has been put into your phone, home and into your spirit,” she continued. “I have chosen to focus on so many acts of courage and valor, determination and people not giving up.”

Each participant will answer calls in their own way, whether through performing a song, sharing a story or offering a prayer.

Winfrey spoke with event organizer Tim Shriver and then Bishop T.D. Jakes, who prayed with her.

Jakes showed remorse for those who had family members and friends die from the virus. But the bishop, who is a talk-show host, entrepreneur and best-selling author, said he believes the world can pull through.

“We have seen this before and survived,” Jakes said. “Just a 100 years ago, we went through something like this. And before that, the Bubonic plague. We are resilient. We will work our way out as we hold each other and love each other.” President George W. Bush said he believes solidarity is also a solution.

“Even at an appropriate social distance, we can find ways to be present in the lives of others to ease their anxiety and share their burdens,” he said in a message. Clinton delivered an encouraging message that “we can get through this together.”

Roberts read a “Rescue the Princess” children’s book in one video, and Josh Groban sang a song while playing his keyboard piano in another. Charlamagne Tha God gave inspiring words for people dealing with mental illness while hunkered inside their homes.

“Hawaii Five-O” actor Daniel Dae Kim said he has donated his plasma after recovering from the virus. “I hope I can be a source for hope,” Kim said. The event kicked off with a performance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Instead of performing collectively, each member clapped and danced individually in various places from inside their apartment, rooftop or park to the tune of Ailey’s “Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham.”

Quincy Jones, Jennifer Garner, Common, Maria Shriver, Questlove, Yo-Yo Ma, Eva Longoria, Naomi Campbell and Alanis Morissette are expected to participate in the event. It’s being livestreamed at unite.us and on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, LinkedIn and SiriusXM Stars.

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The coronavirus has wiped out plans to bring tens of thousand of people to the US Capitol for the annual Memorial Day weekend concert shown on PBS, but organizers are pressing ahead went a revamped event.

Performers like Trace Adkins, Cynthia Erivo, Renee Fleming and Christopher Jackson will appear on television in songs recorded remotely, in some cases from the Capitol grounds, obeying social distancing requirements.

Producers have also solicited special messages from celebrities Jennifer Garner, Jon Hamm, Dule Hill, Lisa Kudrow and Gwyneth Paltrow and others to help fill the void created by the missing crowd.

The 31st annual Memorial Day weekend celebration will be televised on May 24 from 8 pm to 9:30 pm Eastern.

“This is such an important national holiday, and it’s such an important moment for us to come together as a country,” said Michael Colbert, the event’s executive producer.

When the outbreak began, Colbert said he began planning on dual tracks – either a live concert or a pre-recorded television event. He shifted to the latter plan when the government officially nixed the concert about a month ago. None of the committed participants backed away, he said. Actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise return as co-hosts. Celebrating Americans who died fighting for the country is the holiday that makes all other holidays possible, he said. This year’s show will be expanded to salute medical workers struggling to treat people sick with COVID-19.

Former secretary of State Colin Powell will be making his 26th appearance on the show. US Army Gen Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will also deliver a message.

The show will also feature some performances recorded in previous years, including by the National Symphony Orchestra, and readings by actors like Sam Elliott and Laurence Fishburne. (AP)