In one more step toward a reopened entertainment world, CBS said Monday that Stephen Colbert's late-night show will return on June 14 to episodes with a full studio audience.
Audience members will have to provide proof that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 before attending shows at New York's Ed Sullivan Theater. Face masks will be optional.
Since the COVID shutdown in March 2020, Colbert has produced 205 episodes without a live audience, taping his first monologue from the bathtub of his South Carolina home. In August, he moved to a small studio at the Sullivan Theater offices, usually only with the show's executive producer, stage manager and occasionally Colbert's wife watching.
Watching NBA playoff games and "Saturday Night Live" before audiences this past weekend was a reminder that those in attendance aren't just watching, they are participants in events that make a big difference for performers, said Bill Carter, executive producer of CNN's current documentary series, "The Story of Late Night."
Telling jokes into a void has been especially hard for late-night performers, who depend upon the rhythm of the audience's response to their material, he said.
"Colbert bringing back a real live audience is a moment to be celebrated — not just for him and the other hosts who can now resume regular programming, but to the audience at home who can share a bit in the enthusiasm of those on the scene," Carter said.
The return of entertainment audiences "is something the country needs deeply," he said. "It's a release that has been pent up in the nation's long-abused psyche for song long. Of course it's going to feel liberating."
Despite Colbert's announcement on Monday, he may not be the first late-night host back before a full house.
Jimmy Fallon has taped NBC's "Tonight" show before a partial studio audience at Rockefeller Center since March 22. NBC said Monday that Fallon plans to have a full audience, fully vaccinated, in early June.
Comedy Central's Trevor Noah has been recording socially distant versions of "The Daily Show" from his home without an audience. Currently on hiatus, the show plans to keep operating from Noah's home when it returns on June 7, a spokeswoman said.
Fox News Channel's Greg Gutfeld started a late-night comedy show during the epidemic, with a small audience of about 15 people.
Colbert is the top-rated late-night performer, and his announcement Monday sends a clear message.
"I look forward to once again doing show for an audience I can smell and touch," Colbert said.
SMPTE elects board officers, regional governors
SMPTE®,the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has revealed the board officers and regional governors who will serve terms beginning in January 2025.
Three new officers--Richard Welsh as SMPTE president, Eric Gsell as SMPTE executive VP, and Polly Hickling as SMPTE Education VP--have been elected for a two-year term from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026. One SMPTE officer, Lisa Hobbs, will be continuing her service as SMPTE secretary and treasurer for another two-year term. Additionally, Raymond Yeung will be stepping into the role of standards VP on Jan. 1, 2025.
“SMPTE’s membership has spoken,” said SMPTE interim executive director Sally-Ann D’Amato. “These officers have been tasked with an important responsibility, one each of them is prepared to tackle head-on. These next two years are looking bright for SMPTE!”
In addition to the officers, 10 regional governors were elected by the Society to serve two-year 2025-2026 terms.
These include the following regional governors, re-elected to continue their service:
Asia-Pacific Region Governor
Tony Ngai, Society of Motion Imaging Ltd.
EMEA - Central & South America Region Governor
Fernando Bittencourt, FB Consultant
United Kingdom Region Governor
Chris Johns, Sky UK.
USA - Central Region Governor
William T. Hayes, Consultant
USA - Eastern Region Governor
Dover Jeanne Mundt, Riedel Communications
USA - Western Region Governor
Jeffrey F. Way, Open Drives
Also elected were four newcomers to the SMPTE Board:
Canada Region Governor
Jonathan Jobin, Grass Valley
USA - Hollywood Region Governor
Allan Schollnick, Voxx... Read More