They prepare security for the inauguration of Biden 0:30
(CNN) -
President-elect Joe Biden's team is producing a celebrity-filled prime-time TV special for the night of his inauguration, instead of the traditional celebrations that have been cut significantly due to the pandemic, he confirmed to CNN an official of the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
The special, hosted by Tom Hanks, will air live on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and MSNBC from 8:30 pm to 10 pm ET on January 20.
It will feature performances by Jon Bon Jovi, who campaigned with Biden in Pennsylvania, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake and Ant Clemons.
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The 90-minute show, titled “Celebrating America,” will also feature remarks from President-elect and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris.
And it will celebrate "American heroes" like frontline workers, teachers, and healthcare workers, among others.
“Our first priority is safety, so while many of us will be watching it safely from our homes, we are creating real moments of connection that highlight an inclusive new American era of leadership that works for and represents all Americans. "Said the committee's executive director, Tony Allen.
Politico was the first to report on the special the team is preparing.
They ask Americans not to travel to Washington
The news about the special comes as Biden's inaugural committee has urged Americans not to travel to Washington to participate in inauguration celebrations.
This is part of efforts to keep crowds to a minimum amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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It also comes as law enforcement agencies in the capital and across the country brace for further extremist violence during the transition of power, after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building in a deadly assault last week. .
The Pentagon has authorized up to 15,000 National Guard soldiers to comply with current and future requests for the inauguration.
And the mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, has urged Americans to avoid the city.
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Like the Democratic National Convention virtual program, which had to be made online in the summer in an effort to prevent the virus from spreading, the inauguration will feature virtual events across the country.
After Biden and Harris take office next Wednesday in a significantly reduced ceremony, there will be a virtual parade with performances in communities across the country, the inaugural committee said.
Who works on the TV special of Biden's inauguration?
The committee hired Stephanie Cutter and Ricky Kirshner as executive producers, and Rod O'Connor as senior advisor for virtual programming.
They will work with other professionals who also helped produce the Democratic convention, as well as past presidential inaugurations, Super Bowl halftime shows and the Tony Awards.
The special will be broadcast live on the Presidential Inaugural Committee social media channels: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Twitch.
Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Bing, Fox NewsNOW and DIRECTV from AT&T and U-verse will also broadcast the show live.
The committee is also organizing a national commemoration on January 19 to remember and honor the lives lost to covid-19.
And he asks cities and towns across the country to participate.
More than 380,800 Americans have died from the virus as of Wednesday morning.
The inaugural committee will also promote the national day of service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day as part of the inauguration festivities.
And it will encourage that most events take place in virtual format.
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