Topline
Barrymore posted an apology video to her Instagram Friday afternoon after days of fierce criticism, apologizing to writers and the unions on strike and pledging to “take full responsibility” for her show’s return, but she pledged to keep her show on the air in compliance with strike rules so her staff can go back to work.
Barrymore’s decision to bring back her show was fiercely criticized by actors and writers on strike. … [+] (Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)
Key Facts
Barrymore said “there’s nothing I can do or say in this moment to make it OK” to people who disagree with her decision, adding “there are so many reasons why this is so complex,” but stated she wanted to “own” this decision.
She pledged to bring her show back because “there are other people’s jobs on the line,” which echoes other talk show hosts who are bringing back their shows during the strike: Bill Maher said he would bring back Real Time with Bill Maher because his staff is struggling and “it is time to bring people back to work.”
Barrymore said her show would not break strike rules, though some writers believe producing a talk show usually involves writing, which they say makes it impossible to produce one without writers.
The Drew Barrymore Show is covered by the Writer’s Guild of America, which has already pledged to picket that show and any other WGA-covered show that continues production during the strike.
Barrymore’s show will return to air September 18 on CBS.
Chief Critics
The Drew Barrymore Show co-head writer Cristina Kinon said Barrymore’s show returning will only “prolong” the strike, stating “it’s not too late” for Barrymore to reverse course. Former WGA board member David Slack considered it impossible for Barrymore’s show to return to air and comply with strike guidelines, stating “Barrymore is 100% ensuring that *someone* — either herself, one of her non-writing producers, or all of the above — will be doing the writing work that WGA writers normally do.” Some critics of Barrymore—including Slack and actors Felicia Day and Josh Malina—called Barrymore a “scab,” a pejorative referring to a worker that opposes labor union organizing.
Key Background
Barrymore announced in an Instagram post Sunday her show would return despite the ongoing strike. Her decision ignited instant backlash from writers and actors on social media, and some guild members have already begun picketing outside CBS Broadcast Center. Two audience members at a taping of Barrymore’s show Monday were reportedly asked to leave for wearing WGA pins, which a representative for the show said was because of “heightened security concerns,” clarifying Barrymore was unaware of the incident and the audience members will be offered additional tickets. The National Book Foundation rescinded Barrymore’s invitation to host the upcoming National Book Awards Ceremony in November, stating it wants to “ensure that the focus of the Awards remains on celebrating writers and books.”
Tangent
Other talk shows—including Real Time with Bill Maher, The Jennifer Hudson Show and The Talk—have all pledged to return without their WGA writers. Other shows, Live! With Kelly and Mark, Tamron Hall and Sherri do not employ WGA writers and have returned to air. Most late night talk shows remain off the air. Hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver instead launched a Spotify podcast in August, Strike Force Five, and will donate proceeds to support their staff members who remain out of work.
Further Reading
Talk Shows By Bill Maher And Drew Barrymore Are Returning—But Are They Breaking Strike Rules? (Forbes)
