CBS courtroom drama will use Zoom, FaceTime for special pandemic episode
Producers of All Rise will film using social distancing
CBS drama series All Rise will produce a “virtual” episode themed on the COVID-19 pandemic, shooting footage in the actors’ homes and using VFX to create backgrounds. It’s the first episode of a primetime scripted series to be produced while practicing social distancing by using remote programs like FaceTime, WebEx, and Zoom.
The episode of the freshman courthouse drama based in Los Angeles will feature the characters dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 shelter-in-place rules, and how the coronavirus pandemic affects the criminal justice system there.
“It’s a unique chance for our All Rise family to band together – in our different homes, even cities – to tell a story about resilience, justice and the power of community,” executive producer Greg Spottiswood said in a statement.
A quick preview of the episode: Judge Benner (Marg Helgenberger) authorizes Judge Lola Carmichael (Simone Missick) to preside over a virtual bench trial while various other members of the main cast try to keep their relationships alive while under quarantine. One character will deal with the struggle of taking on a side hustle as a food delivery driver.
Consulting producer Gil Garcetti, a former Los Angeles County district attorney, will “provide insight into how the justice system continues in Los Angeles, even during the pandemic,” according to a release from CBS.
In addition to filming the actors in their homes, a cinematographer will shoot (from a vehicle) footage of the deserted streets in and around Los Angeles. Executive producer Michael Robin will direct the episode, which is currently being written and will air on May 4th at 9PM ET on CBS.
Sharon Osbourne Says Simon Cowell Doesn’t Like Overweight People & “That’s Why He Turned Down Jennifer Hudson”
Sharon Osbourne has caught herself in the limelight, once again, after making new claims about Simon Cowell that have us in shock. Speaking on a recent podcast episode, Osbourne mentioned that Simon Cowell doesn’t like overweight people and overall has “dated” views. Others say that this is just another way for Sharon to uphold her shock factor personality.
Simon Cowell “Doesn’t Like People Who Are Overweight”, Says Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Osbourne recently featured as a guest on the ‘Honest AF Show’ podcast, talking about her struggles as a woman in the music industry, Ozzy Osbourne and her former boss, Simon Cowell. The TV star gave the podcast hosts a full rundown on unheard info about Cowell’s personal views, that she calls ‘outdated’.
“Simon doesn’t have an ability to see individuals. He doesn’t like people who are overweight. Seriously,” begins Osbourne. “That’s why he turned down Jennifer Hudson, that’s why he wouldn’t champion her on American Idol. But it’s the truth. He’s very dated (in his views).”
Both Sharon and Simon have worked with each other on the panel of The X Factor for many years and are known for their love/hate friendship.
This isn’t the first time that Sharon Osbourne has sparked another episode of her ongoing feud with Cowell. Just a few months ago, Osbourne appeared on Good Morning Britain to give an update on where she stands with Simon. After being reminded of the feud between them both, that has lasted years, Sharon claimed she hadn’t spoken to the TV judge in a long time. Of course, in true Sharon Osbourne fashion, she took one last poke at Cowell’s new slim figure and appearance before the interview ended.
Sources respond to Sharon’s comments, saying: “This is just not what Simon is like”
Although Sharon’s rivalry tactics seem to be nothing but light-hearted humour, sources have spoken to the Mail Online, calling Osbourne a “shock jock”. “This is just not what Simon is like. He treats every individual person equally. Instead, it feels like Sharon is just turning into a bit of a shock jock these days like her friend Howard Stern,” says the source.
However, it seems the evidence may be on Sharon’s side. Ever since she appeared on Idol, Jennifer Hudson has been open about past comments that Cowell has made about her: “Simon told me I was ‘too big’ in every way. I think he meant my hair, my voice, my personality, my songs.”
Britain’s Got Talent is officially back! The hit talent show will return to our screens this Saturday as auditions begin. Despite the live shows being postponed until a later date, producers behind the show have given the all-clear for auditions to air, nevertheless.
Article via TalentRecap
Twitter Goes Off On Kelly Osbourne For Her Comments About Latinos
Man intentionally coughs on gas pump handle, mentions coronavirus
A California man may face charges in Arizona for intentionally coughing on a gas pump handle while referencing the spread of coronavirus, police said.
The man, identified only as a 23-year-old man from Winterhaven, was questioned after cops in Yuma received multiple reports of video circulating on social media Saturday showing the unsanitary deed, police said.
The suspect later admitted to coughing on the pump during an interview Sunday at the Yuma Police Department, Sgt. Lori Franklin said.
“He came in willingly and did a full interview,” Franklin said. “He admitted to the fact that that was him on the video.”
The man got the idea “from other social media videos” he’d previously seen on the internet, police said in a statement.
“He blatantly coughed on the handle and said, ‘This is how you get coronavirus,’” Franklin said of the footage, which was posted to Snapchat.
The suspect did not show any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, police said.
Charges of unlawful use of infectious biological substance — a felony — will now be sent to Yuma County prosecutors for review, Franklin said.
A spokeswoman for Yuma County Attorney Jon Smith said his office had not received the case as of Monday.
via: https://nypost.com/2020/04/06/arizona-cops-bust-man-for-coughing-on-gas-pump-handle/
Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Man faces $50K fine for escaping quarantine to visit girlfriend
An Australian man blew off his coronavirus self-quarantine to visit his girlfriend — and even used public transportation to get there — and could now be fined up to $50,000, according a report.
The 35-year-old man, whose name was not released, was busted Sunday, West Australian police announced on Facebook.
The man arrived in West Australia from Victoria on March 28 and was required to self-quarantine for 14 days at a Perth hotel under the state’s Emergency Management Act, police said.
But instead, he snuck out of his Travelodge hotel Friday and Saturday night because he “wanted to see his girlfriend” and had no one to bring him food, 7 News reported.
Police visited his hotel room early Saturday after being contacted by hotel staff, but he was not there, according to the report. When he showed up 45 minutes later, he told authorities he went out to tend to a personal problem.
Police directed him not to leave again unless it was for a medical emergency — but he flouted their orders and left around 9 p.m. that night, wedging open a fire escape door and fleeing down the emergency stairwell, the outlet reported.
CCTV footage captured him returning around 4 the next morning.
Hotel staff told police they spotted the man outside his room on five occasions over the course of four days.
Cops said he used public transit in his travels, 7 News reported.
He was denied bail at a court appearance Monday, with prosecutors arguing he showed “complete negligence for the conditions of the Emergency Management Act” and had “put the community of Western Australia at risk,” according to the report.
He was remanded and ordered to make a court appearance over video on Thursday.
“Custody is far worse than staying in a hotel,” WA Premier Mark McGowan said at a Monday press conference, according to news.com.au. “He has already suffered a consequence. He can now suffer a penalty of up to $50,000 and further incarceration.”
“He has done the wrong thing, he has been caught,” McGowan added. “I expect the law will deal with him fairly harshly.”
via: https://nypost.com/2020/04/06/man-faces-50k-fine-for-escaping-quarantine-to-visit-girlfriend/
Photo Credit: nypost.com
Massive fire near Florida airport burns more than 3,500 rental cars
More than 3,500 rental cars were damaged or destroyed in a fire that burned near a Florida airport before being contained late Friday.
The Fort Myers News-Press reports the cars were in a grassy area used as an overflow lot by car rental companies that service Southwest Florida International Airport. The vehicles weren’t occupied.
Witnesses said they heard multiple small explosions and flames leaping high into the air as the flames spread across the area. Another 3,850 vehicles were undamaged, according to airport spokeswoman Vicki Moreland.
Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire.
via: https://nypost.com/2020/04/06/fire-near-florida-airport-burns-more-than-3500-rental-cars/
Photo Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
Auto insurance companies return $800 million in premiums because no one is driving
Two insurers — Allstate and American Family Insurance — announced Monday they will give back about $800 million to their auto insurance customers because people are driving far less during the coronavirus crisis.Allstate (ALL) said it will refund about 15% of premiums paid by its customers in April and May, which comes to a total of about $600 million.”Given an unprecedented decline in driving, customers will receive a Shelter-in-Place Payback,” said Allstate CEO Tom Wilson “This is fair because less driving means fewer accidents.”Allstate’s payments will go to all US and Canadian customers with personal auto insurance, whether or not their state has any kind of stay-at-home order. American Family, which only serves customers in 19 states, also said its payments would go to all of its customers.American Family Insurance said it will give back about $50 per car that a household has insured with the company via a one-time payment. It said that will total about $200 million.
Allstate and American Family also said their customers who are having financial problems because of a loss of income can delay payments on insurance premiums without penalty if they contact the companies.Both are also expanding insurance coverage for customers who use their personal vehicles to deliver food, medicine and other goods. Standard personal auto insurance policies typically exclude coverage that is used for a customer’s car.And Allstate says it is also offering anyone in the United States, whether or not they are an Allstate customer, free identity protection for the rest of the year “since our lives have become more digital.”
Is it enough?
But Allstate is probably giving back only a fraction of the money it is likely to save from reduced insurance claims during the crisis said Dan Karr, the CEO of ValChoice, a data analytics company that acts as a watchdog on the insurance industry. Figures reported by Allstate to state insurance regulators show it pays out a little more than $1 billion a month in auto insurance claims, he said. Karr’s modeling suggests that those claims are likely falling by about 85% due to the reduced number of accidents.”I think it’s great what Allstate did. But where’s the rest of savings?” Karr told CNN Business. He said American Family Insurance’s refund will probably equal even less of the average premium than Allstate’s target of a 15% reduction.
It’s too soon to know exactly how far claims will decline because of the drop in driving, said Allstate spokesman Justin Herndon. He said the company may give additional payments to customers as it gets more data on claims.”We decided to act quickly to put our customers first. This is something we’ll keep looking at,” he said.American Family said it has seen between a 20% to 40% in claims on a weekly basis between the pandemic declaration on March 11 through last Friday. Other consumer groups praised the moves by the insurers.”Is it enough? Probably not,” said J. Robert Hunter, director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America. “[But] Allstate and American Family deserve praise for their industry leadership on this vital first step. While it’s too early to tell if the amounts promised are enough to reflect the big drop in auto accidents, the actions by American Family and Allstate are the right thing to do to help policyholders beleaguered by Covid-19 restrictions and job loss. We urge other insurers to take similar actions quickly.”
Will others follow suit?
Karr said he wouldn’t be surprised to see other insurers follow Allstate’s lead. Industry leader State Farm, which is a mutual insurance company owned by customers, is “closely monitoring our automobile insurance losses and are considering how best to take this into account and return value to our auto insurance policyholders,” according to a statement from the company. It said it expects a decision by the end of the week. Progressive (PGR) said it is “exploring how to best return some premium to customers to reflect the decreased exposure that comes with less frequent driving during the pandemic and expect to have those plans in place soon.” Spokespeople with Geico, owned by Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA), did not immediately respond to a request for comment on their plans. An 85% drop in the number of accidents is a conservative estimate, Karr said. He said that data confirms that is the percentage of accidents that happens during periods of heavy traffic, which are almost completely absent in areas with stay-at-home orders.
Auto insurance companies will probably continue to benefit from reduced driving even after stay-at-home orders are lifted in some states, he said, noting a large number of people will continue to work from home either full or part-time. Others will continue to be out of work because their employer went out of business during the crisis. Workers driving or riding in cars to and from work makes up for about 28% of miles driven by vehicles in a normal time, according to the Federal Highway Administration.”Data shows accident rates go up exponentially as traffic increases, and even a 5% reduction in traffic will make a difference,” he said. “Even people who are still driving because they are essential workers, the accidents rates will be way down.”
For those whose insurers are not offering money back, Karr said those customers should call their insurer and change the coverage on the vehicle from use for work to personal use, assuming they are staying home. That will produce savings as well. But they should be sure to change it back to commuting use once they are using the car to get to and from work once again.
Article via CNN
Man allegedly tried to burn disabled wife after learning he didn’t qualify for relief check
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A New Mexico man is facing charges after police say he became enraged he didn’t qualify for a COVID-19-related stimulus check and tried to set his wife on fire.
The Albuquerque Journal reports Joe Macias was arrested Wednesday shortly following an argument with his disabled wife, where he allegedly doused her with gasoline.
The wife told police Macias had come home around 5 p.m. with a four-pack of beer and “upset because he did not qualify for the stimulus check.”
According to police, the 63-year-old Macias threw gas on his wife and their mobile home.
The wife told officers Macias then pulled out a cigarette and attempted to light it several times, but was unsuccessful due to the lighter getting gasoline on it.
Police say officers later found Macias walking down the street, his clothes soaked in gasoline. Officers also discovered the victim, her hair the cand pajamas soaked in gasoline, on the floor inside a nearby trailer.
Macias charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, and aggravated battery against a household member.
No attorney was listed for him in online court records.
via: https://nypost.com/2020/04/06/coronavirus-nm-man-allegedly-tried-to-burn-wife-over-relief-check/
Photo Credit: AP
Lil Nas X talks turning down Pete Buttigieg’s campaign, and coming out as gay: ‘I planned to die with the secret’
Sunday marks a year since Lil Nas X released the remix — featuring guest vocals from country crooner Billy Ray Cyrus — for his genre-blurring song “Old Town Road,” which went on to break Billboard charts. The 20-year-old is marking the anniversary with a revealing new interview with British newspaper the Guardian, in which he opens up about his sexuality.
Born Montero Lamar Hill but known to friends as Nas, the Grammy winner says he hid his sexuality, keeping his now-decadent wardrobe subdued and “acting really hard” on early rap tracks.
“The honest truth is, I planned to die with the secret,” says the rapper, who eventually confirmed that he is gay in a tweet last summer. Ever since, he’s leaned into his burgeoning status as an LGBTQ icon by hitting the red carpet in elaborate Technicolor fashions, but admits he has reservations about appearing to pressure young fans.
“I 100 percent want to represent the LGBT community,” he says, adding, “I don’t want to encourage them to do something they don’t 100 percent want to do. Especially in, like, middle school or high school. Because it’s just super-hard.
“It’s easier for me,” he continues. “I’m not depending on anybody. There’s no one who’s going to kick me out of the house — nobody to start treating me s****y.”
Though he doesn’t speak to his mother, he says he is out to his family, though not necessarily open.
“My family knows now,” he tells the newspaper. “But it’s not something that’s ever brought up or we speak about. We’re quiet on it. Nobody’s like, ‘Oh, you got a boyfriend?’
“It would have to be something I grew used to hearing,” he says when asked if he wishes his family were more invested in his love life. “I don’t want it to be something we never talk about. Because what about the kids in my family? I would like it to be a healthy medium between, ‘Who are you f***ing?’ and just not saying anything.”
The Georgia native also addresses his decision to decline a request to publicly endorse Mayor Pete Buttigieg in the presidential race; the openly gay politician has since dropped out.
“I’m not too into politics,” he says. “I don’t know his political history or motives. The only thing I know … Wasn’t he from the Democratic Party? … All I know is he’s from the Democratic Party and he’s gay. So it’s like … I don’t want to base my support off, ‘Oh, you’re gay, I’m going to support you.’
“Yeah, you’re gay,” he continues. “But I don’t know everything you’re planning when you’re running the entire country.”
He adds that while “politics gets me very upset” and he is hesitant to endorse someone “because I don’t know what else they’re doing, or what they’re going to do,” he does plan to take part in the 2020 election.
“Of course I’m going to vote,” he says, though he has not yet registered to do so, according to the article. “I encourage my fans to vote.”
Article via Yahoo News
“Old Town Road” rapper Lil Nas X exposed as Former Barb+ is Blac chyna trying to get his attention
Baby hospitalized with coronavirus after dad goes to grocery store
A British baby boy was left hospitalized with the coronavirus — after his dad got the whole family infected with just one quick grocery run.
“We have been in isolation for 3 weeks, I brought the virus home after a single short visit to Tesco,” dad Peter Jones wrote on Twitter of breaking his otherwise strict lockdown to go to a supermarket.
He said that “3 of us recovered fast our 1 yo was less lucky,” writing, “My baby boy is in hospital tonight recovering from an infection following #coronavirus.”
The Devon dad said he was publicizing his family’s nightmare to highlight how even a quick break of a lockdown could have tragic consequences.
His message echoes the one made in the US, with White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx telling Americans it is “the moment to not be going to the grocery store” or even the pharmacy.
“I want people to know that just one trip out can risk it all!” Jones warned in his series of tweets starting Friday.
“Please don’t go out! Stay at home, and protect your love ones! Please share so others can avoid our experience!”
Jones — whose initial message was liked more than 23,000 times — later updated followers that his son was discharged and recovering at home after getting oxygen and antibiotics.
“We must try & limit visits and follow the guidance to limit risk,” he said, urging people to only leave isolation for real emergencies.
“Please stay safe and please try to avoid going out as much as possible,” he wrote.
via: https://nypost.com/2020/04/06/baby-hospitalized-with-coronavirus-after-dad-goes-to-grocery-store/
Photo Credit: nypost.com
Man arrested after bragging ‘we don’t give a f–k about coronavirus’ during livestream party
A dense Ohio man livestreamed a massive party while defiantly declaring “We don’t give a f–k about this coronavirus” — only to be arrested over the weekend for flouting social-distancing rules, police said.
“This is how we do it in my city, man,” Rashaan Davis, 25, brags in the 11-minute video, shot Friday night in Cincinnati and later posted to YouTube. “We don’t give a f–k about this coronavirus. This is how we celebrate our coronavirus.”
He was busted Saturday afternoon and charged with a misdemeanor for violating Gov. Mike DeWine’s “stay at home” order amid the pandemic, according to a police report authorities posted to Facebook.
“[Davis] narrates a video of himself and others openly defying the orders, causing even greater risk of contamination during this national health crisis,” a criminal complaint says. “At the time of his arrest, there were over 55 thousand views of his post.”
Cincinnati police recommended a high bond — or none at all — until Davis can appear before a judge because of his “complete disregard for public safety.”
YouTube commenters blasted Davis and the other revelers.
“Are we gonna get a follow up in 10-14 days when those symptoms hit or nah?” one wrote.
“The rest of Ohio spoke, and we agreed we don’t claim these people,” another posted. “This is ignorant.”
via: https://nypost.com/2020/04/06/ohio-man-flouting-stay-at-home-order-for-party-arrested/
Photo Credit: Cincinnati Police Department