Update: Drew Barrymore Issues Apology & Announces New Talk Show Season Will Be Delayed After Facing Backlash For Initially Setting Return Amid The Writers’ Strike

Drew Barrymore

Update: Drew Barrymore Issues Apology & Announces New Talk Show Season Will Be Delayed After Facing Backlash For Initially Setting Return Amid The Writers’ Strike

Update: (Sept. 18, 2023): Drew Barrymore has listened to the constructive criticism she’s received and has decided to delay the new season of her talk show.

As previously reported, the famed actress was in the hot seat after announcing plans to kick off the newest season of her talk series amid the ongoing writers’ strike. Despite the backlash, Drew initially stood by her decision and, in part, explained:

“And to be clear, our talk show actually wrapped on April 20th so we never had to shut down the show.”

She added,

“However, 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.”

However, even with the explanation, many continued to call Drew out, with one person sharing on X (formerly known as Twitter):

“Pains me that she’s doing this. Gutted but this strike is 4 months in and we’ve come so far, no one is exempt and we will ultimately win.”

In a recently released statement, Drew addressed the backlash and announced she’s had a change of mind. She wrote,

“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 and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today.”

She added,

 “We really tried to find our way forward. And I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon.”

See reactions to Drew’s latest statement below:

Original Story: (Sept. 11, 2023): Actress Drew Barrymore is clearing the air after she was criticized for bringing back her daytime talk show amid the ongoing strikes in Hollywood.

Drew Barrymore is currently facing backlash for her decision to resume production for “The Drew Barrymore Show” while fellow actors and writers are on strike in the entertainment industry. The show is reportedly set to return on September 18.

Drew Barrymore

As you may know, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are striking together for the first time since 1960, causing many major movie and TV production studios to come to a halt. According to reports, the 48-year-old isn’t violating SAG-AFTRA rules as the host of the show because guild contracts for talk shows, game shows, variety shows, and soap operas were renewed and ratified in 2022. However, “The Drew Barrymore Show” does employ WGA writers — who are currently on strike.

According to a report, this means,

“new episodes of The Drew Barrymore Show will have to utilize either violating WGA members, non-WGA writers or no one.”

In a recent statement shared on Instagram, Drew Barrymore explained her decision to film the talk series during such a controversial time. At the beginning of the post, she noted that she pulled out of MTV’s award show in May due to the dual Hollywood strikes.

She wrote,

“I made a choice to walk away from the MTV, film, and television awards because I was the host and it had a direct conflict with what the strike was dealing with which was studios, streamers, film, and television.”

The “50 First Dates” actress continued,

“It was also in the first week of the strike and so I did what I thought was the appropriate thing at the time to stand in solidarity with the writers. And to be clear, our talk show actually wrapped on April 20th so we never had to shut down the show.”

Despite the backlash, Barrymore said she stands by her commitment to make a return.

“However, 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.”

Drew Barrymore

She added,

“I own this choice. We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind. We launched live in a global pandemic. I want to be there to provide what writers do so well, which is a way to bring us together or help us make sense of the human experience. I hope for a resolve for everyone as soon as possible. We have navigated difficult times since we first came on air. And so I take a step forward to start season 4 once again with an astute humility.”

Following Barrymore’s post confirming the return of her talk show, the Writers Guild of America, East shared a statement announcing plans to picket outside of the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City where the show is taped. It read,

“The Drew Barrymore TV show is a WGA covered, struck show that is planning to return without its writers. The Guild has, and will continue to picket struck shows that are in production during the strike. Any writing on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ is a violation of WGA strike rules.”

The WGA officially went on strike on May 2 while the SAG-AFTRA joined the screenwriters on July 14. Both parties are seeking increases in pay and residuals from streaming content, along with protection from their work being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI).

What are your thoughts on Drew Barrymore’s remarks? Let us know below!

[Sources: 1, 2]