‘Contagion’ stars offer virus advice
The stars of the 2011 virus thriller “Contagion” — a prescient film these days — have reunited for a series of public service announcements to warn about COVID-19.
Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet and Jennifer Ehle have teamed up with scientists from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health to offer four individual homemade videos with advice and a message of unity.
“Wash your hands like your life depends on it,” Winslet says in her PSA. “Because right now, in particular, it just might.”
Ehle stresses that the coronavirus is novel, meaning no one is immune. “Every single one of us, regardless of age or ethnicity, is at risk of getting it,” she says.
“Contagion,” directed by Steven Soderbergh, explores a scenario in which a lethal and fast-moving influenza is spreading around the world. Damon in his video notes that it is “creeping it’s way up the charts on iTunes, for obvious reasons.”
Damon, who in the film played a character who was immune to the hypothetical virus, also stresses listening to experts and staying 6 feet apart.
Fishburne appeals to helping medical staff on the front line. “If we can slow this thing down, it will give our doctors and our nurses in our hospitals a fighting chance to help us all get through this thing together,” he says.
Kristen Bell hosts Nick pandemic special: Kristen Bell is hosting a Nickelodeon special with a “kid’s-eye view” of the coronavirus pandemic to address youngsters’ concerns and help families weather the crisis, the channel said Friday.
Bell and her guests practiced social distancing, using video to connect for the hourlong program airing 7 p.m. Eastern time Monday. Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California’s surgeon general, and Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, former U.S. surgeon general, offer advice on how to be healthy, while kids and parents around the country share how they’re coping with disruption.
“I feel like right now, kids’ questions and worries might be getting overlooked,” the “Frozen” star said in explaining why she participated. “I wanted kids to feel empowered to ask questions and create a place where they are heard.”
Children need and deserve that, Bell said in an email after taping “#Kids Together: The Nickelodeon Town Hall” on Thursday.
Josh Gad, Kel Mitchell, Kenan Thompson, Charli D’Amelio and Russell and Ciara Wilson make appearances in the special.
Emmy season adjusts: The Television Academy has adjusted its calendar ahead of the Emmy Awards following disruption from the coronavirus.
According to the calendar, June 5 will be the new entry deadline, nominations will be voted on from July 2 to 13, and nominations will be announced July 28. Final voting will take place Aug. 21 to 31.
The academy stressed that there are no changes to the Sept. 20 Emmy telecast or the Sept. 12 and 13 Creative Arts Emmy ceremonies.
March 28 birthdays: Charlie McCoy is 79. Conchata Ferrell is 77. Dianne Wiest is 72. Reba McEntire is 65. Alexandra Billings is 58. Rapper Salt is 54. Rodney Atkins is 51. Vince Vaughn is 50. Matt Nathanson is 47. Dave Keuning is 44. Annie Wersching is 43. Julia Stiles is 39. Lady Gaga is 34.