Drew Barrymore is filming a new season of her talk show, despite her writers still being on strike and her previously expressing support for the movement.
After being off the air since May, the actor announced the decision in a long-winded post to her Instagram Sunday, writing that the show will still be “in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind."
“I own this choice. ... Our show was built for sensitive times and has only functioned through what the real world is going through in real time,” Barrymore wrote. “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.”
Drew Barrymore Responds
A spokesperson for the Screen Actors Guild confirmed to The Advocate Channel: “The Drew Barrymore Show is produced under the Network Television Code which is a separate contract and is not struck. It is permissible work and Drew’s role as host does not violate the current strike rules.”
However, Barrymore cited the conditions of the ongoing Hollywood actor strike — not the writer strike, of which her show is in violation of. According to the Writer's Guild of America, any writing on shows — such as introductions, monologues, sketches, and questions for the show’s guests — violate the union's strike rules, as it replaces the work of union members.
“The Drew Barrymore Show is a WGA-covered, struck show that is planning to return without its writers,” the WGA East said in a statement Sunday. “The Guild has, and will continue to, picket struck shows that are in production during the strike. Any writing on The Drew Barrymore Show is in violation of WGA strike rules.”
WGA members picketed in front of CBS studios during the show’s first taping in New York on Monday morning. Barrymore has also received an onslaught of backlash online from fans and WGA members for her decision to cross picket lines.“This is incredibly disappointing,” comic and writer Adam Conover wrote. “Drew Barrymore’s show employs WGA writers who are currently on strike. She is choosing to go back on the air without them, and forcing her guests to cross a picket line. Drew: This harms your writers and all union workers. Please reconsider.”
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