Drew Barrymore Addresses the Writers’ Strike and Her Show’s Return
Amidst the ongoing writers’ strike in Hollywood, Drew Barrymore recently took to her Instagram to announce the return of her talk show, “The Drew Barrymore Show.” The strike, which has been ongoing for five months, led to a hiatus in much of the television and film industry. However, Barrymore, who hosts the show, shared a thoughtful message addressing the strike and her decision to bring back the show. Here’s what she had to say.
In her Instagram post, Barrymore reflected on her previous decision to step down from hosting the MTV Film and TV Awards in May as an act of solidarity with the striking writers. She emphasized her belief in supporting the writers’ cause in their dispute with studios, streamers, film, and television companies. Barrymore acknowledged that her show’s third season had wrapped before the strike began, sparing it from immediate shutdown. However, she has now chosen to return to work, highlighting that her show holds significance beyond her individual involvement. She expressed, “I own this choice” and assured her audience that her show would not discuss or promote any struck film or television content.
Barrymore’s commitment to compliance with the strike’s guidelines was evident in her statement: “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.” She concluded her message with determination, stating, “And so I take a step forward to start season 4 once again with an astute humility.”
The Instagram post attracted a range of comments from users, with some expressing disagreement with Barrymore’s decision. Nevertheless, her show’s return promises an exciting fourth season, featuring the addition of celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton to the team of lifestyle experts and exciting segments such as “Take Care Everywhere” and the return of fan favorites. Barrymore’s resilience and creativity have contributed to her show’s status as one of the fastest-growing in daytime television, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.