Due to multiple cases of COVID-19 among contestants, the first Variety of Star Academy has been postponed until next week. Jean-Philippe Dion, the executive producer of the show, returned to the sequence of events.
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The outbreak of several COVID-19 cases towards the end of last week initially prompted the production to adapt what was planned. “During the day on Saturday, we built a control room directly at the hotel to be able to be live with the candidates who were affected, indicated the producer. We found a way to get them to sing and participate in the show from the hotel where they are in isolation.
But the announcement of a new positive case within the cohort of candidates, however, upset plans. “The fourth case arrived in the early evening of Saturday, around 8 p.m., and that could let us predict that there could possibly be other cases. In addition, the chosen candidates had to enter the Academy on Sunday evening, to live in a bubble under the same roof, so it was complicated. We finally made the decision, very late in the evening of Saturday, to postpone the first Variety for a week.
In isolation
All the candidates have been in isolation in their hotel rooms since Friday evening, and the four candidates who tested positive are still doing quite well. “They have more or less severe symptoms, but luckily no one is seriously ill. All candidates are a little stressed, but they will all stay in isolation at the hotel for a few days. By relaunching rehearsals at the end of next week, we hope that we will have put the lid on the pot, ”added Jean-Philippe Dion.
These positive cases arrive despite very strict precautions that had been taken upstream. “The candidates had been in isolation since January 3. We have several candidates who have children and we wanted to let them spend the holidays with their families.
In the studio of Star Academy, the health protocol is also very strict. A team constantly monitors respect for social distancing, the regular changing of masks and the constant disinfection of the premises. No cases were reported among the technical or production teams.
Minimal consequences
The first variety of Star Academy which will be presented next week should resemble the show which was scheduled for this Sunday. “I cannot yet confirm anything in detail as we speak, but we should present 99% the same variety, with Daniel Bélanger, the performances of the candidates, etc …”, advanced Jean-Philippe Dion.
This postponement should not impact the rest of the season any more. “We are going to do the same number of programs planned, 13 varieties and 12 weeks of daily, but one week apart. For the international artists invited, it will not change anything. The second Variety is the only one that will need to be modified. For the rest, we keep the same game plan for the rest of the season.
The big premiere of Star Academy will be broadcast on TVA on Sunday, January 23, at 7 p.m., while the daily will air Monday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m. starting January 24.