Why Drew Barrymore Is Being Accused of ‘Stabbing’ Writers ‘In The Back’
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She was long considered one of the gems of Hollywood—a child star-turned-beloved talk show host. But amid turmoil in show business and the fight for worker’s rights, The Drew Barrymore Show strike is probably the last place you’d expect to find controversy.
Premiering in September 2020 during the global COVID-19 pandemic, the show quickly gained popularity for its unique and refreshing approach to daytime television. As host, Barrymore brings her signature charm and authenticity to every episode, making it a standout in the crowded talk show landscape. The Drew Barrymore Show is known for its diverse range of topics, from celebrity interviews and pop culture discussions to heartwarming human interest stories and lifestyle segments.
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One of the show’s defining features is its focus on positivity and inclusivity. Barrymore is known for encouraging open and meaningful conversations with her guests, promoting a sense of community and connection among viewers. This emphasis on empathy and understanding resonated with audiences, making The Drew Barrymore Show a source of inspiration and entertainment. The show has also made efforts to address important social issues, highlighting various charitable initiatives and spotlighting individuals making a difference in their communities, which is why the recent controversy has hit fans so hard. Here’s what we know about The Drew Barrymore Show strike.
The Drew Barrymore Show strike
On September 10, 2023, Drew Barrymore announced on Instagram that season four of her talk show would return amid the writer and actor’s strikes.
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In a lengthy Instagram post, Barrymore wrote that The Drew Barrymore Show would return to production despite the strike, explaining that its return was “in compliance” with the union’s terms. “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. I own this choice. We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind,” she wrote.
“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.”
As was to be expected, the response was not positive. “This is not humility. It’s a lot of things but not that. You are stabbing us all in the back, make no mistake, and trying to act as if it’s something noble. And it just isn’t,” commented writer Alexander Chee. “Are you going to walk past your own writers on the picket line? Disappointing,” wrote another.
A spokesperson for the Writers Guild told The Hollywood Reporter that Drew is a struck show, and union members would organize to picket outside the show’s studios in New York City. “It has stayed off the air since the strike began on May 2nd but has now (unfortunately) decided to return without its writers,” the spokesperson said in the statement. “The Guild has, and will continue to, picket any struck show that continues production for the duration of the strike.” Drew employs three WAG writers on its staff, those of which would not be returning to work on September 11, 2023, and instead would be picketing outside.
That day, two audience members—Dominic Turiczek and Cassidy Carter—won tickets to a taping of the show, unaware that talk shows had been affected by the strike. As they approached the building, they were handed two buttons that read “Writers Guild on Strike”. According to the Hollywood Reporter, upon entering the studio, a crew member spotted the buttons and asked them to leave. The two then joined the picket line outside.
“Went to @DrewBarrymoreTV after winning tickets, unaware of the #WGA strike. We took pins & went in, got kicked out, & verbally assaulted by @DrewBarrymore ’s crew. It’s clear they don’t support #WGAStrong, writers or fans! #DrewTheRightThing So we took shirts and joined. Fuck that,” Turiczek tweeted, clarifying later that, “We knew about the #WGA strike, just not that they were picketing at Drew’s show. We were unaware until inside, that her show had WGA writers, thus crossing picket lines by starting again. We won the tickets last minute and didn’t do enough research, clearly.”
On July 13, 2023, Fran Drescher, president of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television (SAG-AFTRA), announced that negotiations between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) had broken down over several issues. SAG-AFTRA, represents 160,000 television and movie actors, while the WGA represents more than 16,000 film, TV, broadcast and news media writers. It’s the first time in 43 years that the SAG-AFTRA has called for a strike since 1980, and it would be the first in 60 years that the WGA and SAG-AFTRA have joined forces.
The writers’ strike, an ongoing dispute between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, held much of production at a standstill since May 2, 2023, and is the largest disruption to American film and television since the COVID-19 pandemic. They are protesting pay cuts, pay disparity, and the use of AI tools like ChatGPT as a replacement for writers rather than being used for research and facilitating script ideas. This amalgamation of unions represents the biggest industry walkout in 40 years, bringing the $134 billion American movie and television business to a halt.
Drescher said she was “financially prepared” for it to last beyond six months if required. “I don’t have a crystal ball,” Drescher said on TODAY when asked how long she expects the strike to continue. “We have financially prepared ourselves for the next six months. And we’re really in it to win it.”
Indeed, Deadline reported that some of Hollywood’s biggest earners have donated up to $1 million each to support fellow performers who are currently out of work, resulting in more than $15 million total. Among the high-profile donors were George and Amal Clooney, Luciana and Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Julia Roberts, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Meryl Streep, and Oprah Winfrey.
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