Recently during the writer’s strike, where writers and actors are fighting for higher compensation for their work, better residuals, and job security against AI, Drew Barrymore who has supported the strike is currently under fire for wanting to resume her talk show “The Drew Barrymore Show”.
Barrymore, who recently stepped down as host for the 2023 MTV Movie and TV Awards to show support and solidarity to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) during the strike, has recently been under fire for breaking WGA strike rules. “The Drew Barrymore Show” aired its first episode on September 14, 2020, on the show she presents human-interest stories, celebrity guests, and lifestyle segments.
While Barrymore has shown her loyalty to the strike, she decided to resume her show for the 4th season.
On a social media post, she said “I also made the decision to come back for the first time in this strike for our show, which may have my name on it but this is bigger than just me.”
Barrymore continued to say that they will continue to follow WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike regulations.
A spokesperson for the WGA told The Hollywood Reporter that “The Drew Barrymore Show” is a struck show and union members are set to picket outside of her studios in New York City. After receiving backlash, Barrymore then posted an emotional video on September 15 apologizing for her actions only later to delete the video earlier in the day.
“I believe there’s nothing I can do or say at this moment to make it okay,” she began in the video.
“I wanted to own a decision so that it wasn’t a PR-protected situation. And I would just take full responsibility for my actions. I know there’s nothing I can do that will make this okay for those who it is not okay with. I fully accept that. I fully understand that.” She continued by apologizing to the unions and writers and stressed that she was not spurred by her PR team to make this apology.
Two days after the apology Barrymore took to her Instagram to post an additional apology. She starts by acknowledging that she has listened to the feedback from everyone and makes the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over.
She also praises her team saying ” I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I hurt and, of course, to my incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today.”
I asked Drew Barrymore fan and supporter of the writers’ strike Edith Gonzalez what she had to say about the matter.
She said “I think it’s definitely disappointing to see a person that you look up to be criticized for a valid reason. Though I don’t think she meant to hurt anyone intentionally, I think she should have known better, but everyone makes mistakes”
I also asked another active supporter of the writers strike Tiffany Petrzelka on the controversy.
“It’s easy to see why people are upset, it looks bad that she decided to continue the show without writers.” Petrzelka continued to say that it’s important to support the writers’ strike when you have a big platform like Barrymore’s. She went on to say, “Just because your show is successful doesn’t mean you get a free pass, we have to stand together if we want to make a change in the industry.”
