“Star Wars Day” – the unofficial “holiday” on May 4 — gets an extra boost this year:
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (shown here) will reach Disney+ that day, two months earlier than expected.
That’s one of several recent TV changes related to the pandemic. Also, one award show is moving from Las Vegas to Nashville; another will go ahead … in a social-distancing way. Details:
— “Star Wars”: As movie theaters closed, Disney has been pushing films more quickly to its new streaming service.
It did that with Pixar’s “Onward,” which had one strong week in theaters, before the virus began to crush move busieness. Two other films skipped their theater time entirely; “Elephant” is already on Disney+ and “Artemus Fowl” will be there June 12.
Unlike those films, “Skywalker” had a full run in theaters, topping a billion dollars worldwide. But with more people watching at home, Disney decided to stream it earlier than planned.
Fans consider May the Fourth to be a holiday, because it sounds like “may the force be with you.” Disney+ now has all nine “Star Wars” films, plus three related series.
— Country awards: The Academy of Country Music awards are moving to Nashville … which may be where viewers assumed they always were.
Actually, the ACM’s have been a Las Vegas staple. They were scheduled there for April, then were delayed until Sept. 16, with Keith Urban hosting.
Today (April 27), the next change was announced: The awards will be in three Nasville locations – the current Grand Ole Opry auditorium, the Ryman Auditorium (the Opry’s previous home) and the Bluebird Cafe.
Kids’ awards: While other award shows have had deep delays, one is coming this week.
— The “Kids’ Choice Awards – now sub-titled “Celebrate Together” – will be 8 p.m. Saturday (May 2). Victoria Justice will host, Asher Angel will perform his “All Day” single, but the event will be done with social distancing.
Appearances – presumably from their homes – will include Dwayne Johnson, Ariana Grande, BTS, Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, Camilla Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Lil Nas X, Dove Cameron, Millie Bobby Brown, Ellen DeGeneres and more, including the cast of “The Avengers” Endgame.” Also, LeBron James will receive the Generation Change Award.