‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ Looking For New Staff After Head Writers Decline To Return Over WGA Strike Controversy

October 5, 2023 by Ashley Blackwell in TV with 0 Comments

‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ Looking For New Staff After Head Writers Decline To Return Over WGA Strike Controversy

‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ controversy continues.

A couple of weeks before season four’s premiere, three of the daytime series’ head writers have reportedly opted not to resume their roles on Drew Barrymore’s staff.

Drew Barrymore

As previously reported, last month, legendary actress/host Drew Barrymore was scrutinized for her decision to pick production back up amid the strikes in Hollywood.

In May, thousands of the Writers Guild of America members chucked up the deuces to a number of high-profile studios. The WGA walkouts resulted in an (almost) five-month-long boycott due to unfair contractual negotiations. Ultimately, the SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) joined the strike in July.

In a now-deleted social media post, Drew Barrymore explained her decision to cross the picket line and, in part, said,

“I am also making the choice to come back for the first time in this strike for our show, that may have my name on it but this is bigger than just me.”

According to sources, the resurgence of ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ didn’t violate any of SAG-AFTRA’s terms. However, the move was (seemingly) viewed as rebellious due to the show already having (then on-strike) individuals of WGA on its team.

Apparently, the union wasn’t with it, which caused loads of backlash–on and offline. Drew then had a change of heart and offered an apology.

She said in the statement,

“I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over. I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt.”

Now that the WGA strike has come to an end, ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ will make its way back on air on October 16. However, three of the show’s head writers — Chelsea White, Cristina Kinon, and Liz Koe — have reportedly declined to return.

Each of the women, who’ve been with the show since its debut season, was seen picketing outside of the set following Drew’s initial reveal that she’d be bringing new episodes in September.