Drew Barrymore Returns to Studio Amid Protests
Drew Barrymore has announced her return to the studio for the fourth season of The Drew Barrymore Show, set to premiere on September 18, despite ongoing strikes in Hollywood. The actress and talk show host confirmed her decision on Sunday, September 10, in a statement posted on Instagram.
In her statement, Barrymore expressed her commitment to not discussing or promoting any content associated with ongoing strikes in the film and television industry. Nevertheless, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) called for picketers to gather outside the show’s studios in New York City on September 11, in a bid to show solidarity with the striking workers.
Barrymore had previously shown her support for the WGA by stepping down from hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards earlier in the year. She made it clear that her decision to leave was due to a direct conflict with the strike’s concerns, including issues related to studios, streamers, film, and television.
Despite the challenges posed by the strikes, Barrymore has chosen to resume her talk show. She emphasized her desire to provide a platform for meaningful conversations and connection during these turbulent times.
The Drew Barrymore Show, launched in 2020, has aimed to address the real-world issues faced by its viewers. The upcoming fourth season promises exciting segments, including celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton and a new feature called “Take Care Everywhere” with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, founder of Menopause Bootcamp. The show will also continue to showcase popular segments like Drew-Gooders, Designed by Drew, and Cookbook Club.
However, due to the ongoing strikes, Barrymore won’t be able to feature actors promoting movies or scripted TV shows from studios affiliated with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which traditionally contribute significantly to her show.
The strikes, initiated by the WGA on May 1, revolve around concerns about residuals from streaming platforms and the use of artificial intelligence in script creation. SAG-AFTRA, with similar concerns regarding artificial intelligence and actor likeness ownership, joined the strike in July, adding to the growing unrest in the industry.