DREW BARRYMORE SHOW Announces Fall Premiere Date Following WGA Strikes
By Movieguide® Contributor
THE DREW BARRYMORE SHOW is set to return to air this month following the conclusion of the WGA strikes.
“This just in: We’re kicking off our brand new season on Monday, October 16th!” the show’s Instagram account announced.
This news came just a few weeks after Barrymore controversially stated the talk show would resume production on September 18—without the striking writers.
Movieguide® reported on Barrymore’s comments at the time:
“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,” Barrymore added. “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.”
AP News explained, “Barrymore’s resumption of her CBS talk show doesn’t inherently cause issues with the actors guild, which is also on strike, as daytime talk shows are governed by a different Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists contract that was renewed and ratified last year. But Barrymore’s show employs at least three writers who are members of the writers guild, which has been on strike since early May. Those writers were picketing outside the CBS Broadcast Building on Monday.”
After facing public backlash, the actress reversed her decision.
“I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over,” Barrymore said in a since-deleted Instagram video. “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. We really tried to find our way forward. And I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon.”
Movieguide® previously reported on the backlash:
Drew Barrymore has halted production on THE DREW BARRYMORE SHOW after facing backlash for resuming the talk show during the WGA strike.
A CBS spokesperson said, “We support Drew’s decision to pause the show’s return and understand how complex and difficult this process has been for her.”
The actress has previously planned to continue shooting episodes of THE DREW BARRYMORE SHOW without her striking writing staff. She explained her decision in a now-deleted Instagram video.
“I don’t exactly know what to say because sometimes when things are so tough it’s hard to make decisions from that place,” she said. “I wanted to [resume production] because, as I said, this is bigger than me and there are other people’s jobs on the line.”
“I’ve been through so many ups and downs in my life, and this is one of them. I deeply apologize to writers. I deeply apologize to unions. I deeply apologize,” she added in the deleted video.
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