JEOPARDY! and Wheel of Fortune have canceled tapings all week at their Culver City studios as wildfires continue to ravage through Los Angeles, The U.S. Sun has learned.

As the City of Angeles continues to suffer through the unprecedented blazes, Hollywood productions have shut down - which will also delay the dates the shows will air.

Those who were given tickets to attend Jeopardy! tapings for this week were sent a message that alerted them the filming has been shut down due to the LA wildfires.

“Due to the severe weather conditions and out of an abundance of caution and safety for all, all of next week's Jeopardy show tapings have unfortunately been canceled.

“This tournament will likely move; however, we have not been given any information about new dates as of yet.

“We do hope to see you in the future at a taping of Jeopardy! We apologize for the inconvenience, but hope everyone stays safe,” a memo sent out to attendees said.

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Additionally, a source confirmed that sister show Wheel of Fortune, which films on the soundstage directly next to Jeopardy! on the same Sony Studios lot in Culver City, CA, will not be filming this week.

“Every Wheel and Jeopardy taping has been canceled this week. The current tournaments will be delayed and air dates will be delayed.

“There are no new dates set in place yet but everyone is actively doing as much as they can,” the insider said.

The Invitational Tournament taping was scheduled to tape on Wednesday the 15th, Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th of January.

The air dates were expected to be in late February and early March - depending on how long filming delays are carried out for.

The Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City has not yet been evacuated as of Monday morning due to the fires.

However, the lot is just south of the Pacific Palisades - where over 40,000 acres have burned through neighborhoods and nature as the blaze sits at just 15% containment at the time of writing this post.

As nearly every person who resides in Los Angeles has been impacted to some degree by this week’s tragedy, it is also presumed that crew members who work for the show are currently suffering and may not be able to report to work.

Each show employs a large team - with Jeopardy! having around a 40-person production crew that tapes each episode while an additional 75-member-team handles the post-production.

Wheel of Fortune typically employs a total of 100 in-house production personnel, with 60 to 100 local staff joining them for those episodes that are taped on location, according to their website.

Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest, 50, has been actively promoting various donation sites and resource links on his social media pages.

The TV icon - who has called Los Angeles his home for nearly 30 years - has also been active in sharing emergency fire warnings in hopes to spread safety alerts.

Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings has been quieter on social media as Los Angeles continues to try to process and put an end to this week of devastation.

Fire continues to erupt and the smoke is seen billowing dangerously near many neighborhoods and city parts, with firefighters from all over the world rushing to contain the blaze.

Extremely high winds, which are expected to pick up on Tuesday, are also making it tougher to vacate the city.

NO END IN SIGHT

Fallen debris have blocked many roads along with some still having no power - though thousands are working hard to improve conditions every hour.

New fires have continued to pop up - with countless homes burnt to the ground and leaving 24 people dead as of Monday.

Anyone in the Los Angeles area is asked to remain extra cautious this week as winds will pick up speed on Tuesday, Jan 14th and Wednesday, Jan 15th.

An expansive list of resources to aid humans and animals, as well as an information hub and community connector for LA fire victims, can be found on this guide put together by Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network.

Due to the community coming out in droves to help each other, many shelters had to stop receiving donation items due to being overwhelmed with supplies.

However, they ask that people continue to donate in the coming weeks after the initial shock of this devastation has been processed.

According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, potential direct smoke impact from the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst Wildfires burning has caused unhealthy air quality in Los Angeles County. Smoke from the multiple fires is expected to most heavily impact northwest coastal Los Angeles County including Pacific Palisades, the area of Altadena and Pasadena, near San Fernando, respectively, and areas near the fire. This advisory remains in effect through Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Smoke impacts will depend on fire activity, containment efforts, and the weather. For more information, visit CALFIRE.

Wildfire smoke is a mixture of small particles, gases and water vapor. The primary health concern is the small particles, which can cause burning eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, headaches and illness (i.e., bronchitis). People at higher risk, children, the elderly, those with respiratory or heart conditions, and people with compromised immune systems, may experience more severe effects such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, fatigue, and/or chest pain.

"Predicting where ash or soot from a fire will travel, or how winds will impact air quality, is difficult, so it's important for everyone to stay aware of the air quality in your area, make plans, and take action to protect your health and your family's health," said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Health Officer for Los Angeles County. "Smoke and ash can harm everyone, even those who are healthy. However, people at higher risk include children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with heart or lung conditions or weakened immune systems."

Public Health urges everyone in areas where there is visible smoke or the smell of smoke or unhealthy air quality to avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure and to limit physical exertion (whether indoor or outdoor), such as exercise. Children, older adults, and people who are pregnant or have other air quality sensitive conditions, such as heart disease, asthma, and other chronic respiratory diseases, should follow these recommendations and stay indoors as much as possible even in areas where smoke, soot, or ash cannot be seen or there is no smell of smoke. If your condition worsens, contact your health care provider immediately for medical advice.

"We are also advising schools and recreational programs that are in session in smoke-impacted to review and follow the California Department of Education's Memo: Get Smart about Wildfire Smoke- Clear Guidelines for Schools and Wildfire Smoke or the California Environmental Protection Agency's Guidance for Schools During Wildfire Smoke Events, based on the air quality level in their area. This may include limiting or suspending outside physical activities, including physical education and after-school sports, until conditions improve. Non-school related sports organizations for children and adults are advised to follow the same guidance and to cancel outdoor practices and competitions in areas where there is visible smoke, soot, or ash, or where there is a smell of smoke. The same guidance applies to other outdoor activities, like hiking or picnicking, in affected areas," said Dr. Davis.

People can participate in indoor sports or other strenuous activity in areas with visible smoke, soot, or ash, provided the indoor location has air conditioning that does not draw air from the outside and it has closed windows and doors to protect the cleanliness of indoor air. If not, it is recommended that everyone follow the guidelines as if they were outside.

The following recommendations will help you protect yourself and your family from harmful effects of bad air quality:

If you see or smell smoke, or notice particles and ash in the air, stay indoors to limit exposure, especially if you have heart or lung conditions, are elderly, or have children.

Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors. Use air conditioners that recirculate air to filter out harmful particles. Wear an N95 or P100 mask if you must go outside in smoky conditions for long periods of time in areas with heavy smoke or where ash is present.

Avoid air conditioners that only bring in outside air and don't recirculate. Check and replace air filters regularly. Filters labeled "MERV13" or higher are most effective for removing smoke particles. HEPA air purifiers can further reduce indoor particles.

If it's too hot to keep windows and doors closed and you don't have an air conditioner, go to a public place like a library or shopping center to stay cool and protect yourself from harmful air.

Avoid using fireplaces, candles, or vacuums. Clean dusty surfaces with a damp cloth and don't smoke.

If you experience symptoms like severe coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, palpitations, nausea, or unusual fatigue, contact your doctor or go to urgent care. For life-threatening symptoms, call 911.When smoke lingers, fine particles may build up indoors even if you can't see them. Masks can protect against larger particles, but most don't block fine particles or toxic gases, which are more harmful.

Practice safe clean-up following a fire. Follow the ash clean-up and food safety instructions at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire/.

The following is recommended for pets:

Avoid leaving your pets outdoors, particularly at night. Pets should be brought into an indoor location, such as an enclosed garage or a house.

If dogs or cats appear to be in respiratory distress, they should be taken to an animal hospital immediately. Symptoms of respiratory distress for dogs include panting and/or an inability to catch their breath. Symptoms for cats are less noticeable, but may include panting and/or an inability to catch their breath.

To stay updated with real-time/forecasted Air Quality in your area, download the South Coast AQMD Mobile App: http://www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp (Also available in Spanish!) or visit https://www.aqmd.gov/home/air-quality/air-quality-forecasts.

ForFor over two decades, renowned chef José Andrés has served an appealing blend of Eastern Mediterranean flavors based on Lebanese, Greek, and Turkish cuisines at his D.C. restaurant Zaytinya. Occupying the ground floor of the boutique Shay hotel in Culver City, Andrés opens Zaytinya today in the former Etta space, making it the fourth outlet after expansions in Miami and New York City in recent years. Featuring a brightened dining room with a David Rockwell design, the ambience features similar hues of navy blue, birch wood chairs, mismatched hanging lamps, and potted olive trees as its sister restaurants.

Given Zaytinya’s central location in Culver City, its sprawling interior and wraparound patio, and the city’s affinity for spice-filled Mediterranean cuisine, Andrés should have a solid hit on his hands.

Shuffle through the Zaytinya cookbook, which was published in March 2024, to see the Spanish chef’s journey through the Eastern Mediterranean, a region influenced by centuries of ingredients and flavors at the crossroads between Asia and Europe. The name, which comes from the Turkish word for olive oil, reinforces Andrés’ exploration of the region and acknowledges the lasting influence of Ottoman rule, which unified places where modern Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon exist today. It makes sense then that the menu starts with spreads: hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki, and labneh. Greek h’tipiti, a roasted red pepper spread with feta and thyme, and taramosalata, a spread made with umami-rich carp roe, round out the smearable starters.

Expect a heavy vegetable mezze section leaning on California’s seasonal offerings, which thus far have astounded chef Michael Costa, who has been busy exploring the bounty of the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market. Zaytinya’s signature Brussels sprouts with coriander, barberries, and ladolemono (lemon olive oil dressing) head the section, followed by crispy two-bite falafel, stuffed grape leaves, crispy cauliflower with herbed tahini, and roasted eggplants stuffed with stewed vegetables and pine nuts. Warm pita bread will flow from Etta’s leftover wood-fired pizza oven alongside Zaytinya’s signature pide — boat-shaped Turkish flatbreads filled with spicy sausage (soujouk), egg, and kasar cheese, or spice-cured pastirma with egg. Angelenos familiar with Georgian/Armenian khachapuri will immediately get the pide portion of the menu.

José Andrés Group CEO Sam Bakhshandehpour, who hails from Iran and grew up in Southern California, says the vegetable-centric menu should allow flexibility for diners who want to dabble in the lighter Mediterranean fare Zaytinya offers. “This region leans to the healthier, lighter, more flavorful side so that you can come multiple times a week,” he says. The shareable mezze allows people to take certain risks with ordering dishes they may not have tried but have been customer favorites at Zaytinya’s East Coast outlets. Of course, the region’s meaty and seafood options will come into play as well.

Charred octopus with split pea puree and capers make for an ode to Santorini. Cured grey mullet roe called avgotaraho — Greece’s answer to bottarga — gets served simply with olive oil and sea salt. Seared salmon, branzino, and scallops fill out the seafood mezze, each burnished with fresh herbs. The wood-fired oven will also turn out a whole dry-aged branzino sourced from Sherman Oaks’ the Joint Seafood, something Costa says will be unique to the Los Angeles location.

Kebab-loving Angelenos will have plenty to explore in the skewered meat options, which are grilled over wood fire on a custom kebab rack. Turkish Adana kebabs use spiced lamb while kofte employs grilled beef meatballs. More familiar shish taouk uses marinated chicken while grilled lamb chops come with smoked labneh and harissa chile crisp. A kebab platter brings in variety for the table to share. Bakhshandehpour and Costa think the family-style slow-smoked lamb shoulder will become a signature dish here as well, served with lettuce cups, toum, and harissa.

Dessert features Turkish coffee chocolate cake, olive oil cake with orange blossom cream, and galatopita — Greek milk custard pie with crispy phyllo. Traditional Turkish coffee service comes in a variety of sweetness levels. Cocktails employ spirits from the region, such as the Pomona, mixing ouzo, lemon, mint, and pomegranate. Ouzo’s anise-flavored cousins, Lebanese arak and Turkish raki, are also available to sip. Most of the wine list leans heavily on Greek bottles, though Lebanese, Californian, and even a Turkish red fill out the selections.

In the past year-plus, Los Angeles’s dining scene has fully embraced Middle Eastern and Mediterranean experiences with places like Layla (Jordanian), Ladyhawk (Lebanese), Azizam (Persian/Iranian), Laya (clubby Lebanese), Deme (Turkish and Greek), and Orla (Egyptian) featuring mezze, kebabs, and more. They join more established players like Bavel, Kismet, Mizlala, and Momed, who serve modern renditions of Middle Eastern cuisines. Zaytinya will fall into this rich mix of restaurants that highlight Persian, Armenian, Palestinian, Lebanese, Syrian, and Israeli flavors.

Zaytinya is located at 8801 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232, and is open daily from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., with lunch service to come. Reservations are available on OpenTable.

Zaytinya Culver City

8801 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232 Visit Website