What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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T2 WHATS UP! January 3 - 9, 2021 BY KYLA BREWER TV Media A fter a trying year, most people are probably ready for a few laughs. Luckily, a new comedy has navigated the tricky waters of filming during the COVID-19 pandemic to bring a little lighthearted fun back to prime time, and it stars a familiar fan favorite. Mayim Bialik ("The Big Bang Theory") stars as Kat, a thirtysomething woman who leaves her job as a math teach- er to open a cat cafe in "Call Me Kat," premiering Sunday, Jan. 3, on Fox. Inspired by the British BBC series "Miranda," the pilot received a series or- der from Fox in May 2020 and producers had to figure out how to get the production up and running safely after the COVID-19 pandemic forced an industry-wide shutdown. And it seems they found a way, be- cause that is exactly what they did. Bialik even chronicled her first day on set in a YouTube video on her official channel. She showed fans exactly what filming in the era of COVID-19 involves as she gave them a sneak peek at the new series. In the video, posted on Friday, Oct. 30, she started off by ex- plaining that she had to show up to work in a mask and an- swer a series of questions, just like everybody else — no pref- erential "star" treatment there. As she panned around her dressing room, she showed off her wipes, gloves and hand sanitizer, even later showing viewers the podium by her chair on set where she keeps her mask. She also talked about some of the challenges they were facing while trying to bring a little laughter into people's lives. "Typically, we film with a live studio audience and, because of COVID, we cannot," Bialik said in the YouTube video. "So, essentially, we're filming like it's a little movie, which means we film all day." She continued by explaining why that was dif- ficult. Mayim Bialik as seen in "Call Me Kat" 'Clawsome' comedy continued on page T10 TV FEATURE 5 x 5 Your subscription includes full access to the digital replica with all of its great extra features! INTERACTIVE PUZZLES! Available on the digital replica. Subscribe today and receive an iPad with your subscription*. *iPad must be returned within 30 days of termination of account. Call 479-684-5509 or go to nwaonline.com/nwaipad