Drew Barrymore has halted her talk show return amid the ongoing strikes following intense backlash from the public.
The actress and host found herself in some hot water recently after taking to Instagram to defend her decision to bring back her beloved daytime talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show, on Sunday, September 10.
At the time, she took to social media to announce that the talk show would resume filming for season 4, noting that they would not be using “WGA writers” and thus complying with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA rules and not crossing the picket line, as over 11,000 TV writers are currently striking for better wages, conditions, and more.
Naturally, her decision received plenty of backlash from fans and viewers who expressed disappointment in the choice while encouraging her to hold off and rethink her decision, however, in the statement, Barrymore explained she was doing it for the writers.
“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,” she wrote.
“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,” she also wrote in the post.
However, a week after the initial announcement, Barrymore made the decision to pause production on her show.
“I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over,” she wrote on Instagram. “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.”
“We support Drew’s decision to pause the show’s return and understand how complex and difficult this process has been for her,” a CBS Media Ventures Spokesperson said in a statement.
The talk show was set to return on September 18, but since it’s unclear how long the strike will continue, there is currently no set premiere date.
Season 3 wrapped ahead of the strike.
Other daytime shows that also set a Sept. 18 return, like The View and The Jennifer Hudson Show, have also postponed.
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