Drew Barrymore recently stirred controversy as she announced the comeback of her talk show on Instagram, drawing criticism from the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). In her post, Barrymore addressed her prior choice to boycott hosting duties at the MTV, film, and television awards, emphasizing her solidarity with the striking writers.
“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,” Barrymore explained. “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,” she added.
Barrymore stressed her commitment to compliance with the strike’s rules, stating, “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,” Barrymore wrote.
It is important to note that the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA are currently on strike, with the Writers Guild planning to picket outside Barrymore’s studios in New York City on Monday and Tuesday.
In response to Barrymore’s decision, a spokesperson for the Writers Guild stated to Hollywood Reporter, “It has stayed off the air since the strike began on May 2nd but has now (unfortunately) decided to return without its writers. The Guild has, and will continue to, picket any struck show that continues production for the duration of the strike.”
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