Drew Barrymore is bringing back her talk show soon on September 18th.
Barrymore belongs to SAG AFTRA, which is on strike. Her show uses writers, and they’re on strike. But she’s ignoring all this and coming back without writers.
Her show will also be without celebrity guests. No SAG member will appear on the low rated talk show.
Barrymore defended her decision on Instagram Sunday. 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. 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. 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.
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. Our show was built for sensitive times and has only functioned through what the real world is going through in real time. 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.
The backlash is swift. WGA member David Guggenheim wrote back: “You are definitely going to be bringing us writers together… when we picket your show tomorrow.” Similar posts followed.
Because of the strikes there are no late night talk shows. During the day some talk shows are coming back because they’re under a separate contract, just like the four remaining soap operas.
The Drew Barrymore Show hasn’t announced guests for its first week back, but you can bet it’s going to be free of all actors promoting TV and movies. And Drew may face consequences even when the strikes are over. These union members have long memories!
