Following a media backlash Drew Barrymore has put the return to her talk show on pause until the Hollywood writers and actors strikes end.
In a post on Instagram the star of Charlie’s Angels and EverAfter wrote: “I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over.
“I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today. We tried to find a way forward. And I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon.”
Barrymore sparked controversy after she announced last week that she would bring back The Drew Barrymore Show on Monday (September 18) without writers and in accordance with WGA’s strike rules.
SAG-AFTRA strike rules allow an actor to host a talk show and Barrymore and actor guests would have been allowed to talk generally about their careers and other general subjects but not struck work – any upcoming film or television from Hollywood companies that are signatories to the SAG-AFTRA minimum basic agreement.
The show is covered by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) contract and thus Barrymore would only be allowed to employ non-union writers or none at all.
According to reports CBS Media supported Barrymore’s decision to pause the show’s return and will not broadcast new episodes taped last week until the strikes end. It will instead air repeats, a common network tactic during strikes when new work cannot be broadcast. The show launched in 2020.
Last week Bill Maher said his HBO show Real Time With Bill Maher will return on September 22 without writers and feature unscripted conversations.
WGA said Maher’s decision was “disappointing” and would picket the show. It added that it was “difficult to imagine” how the show could proceed without violating strike rules.
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Writers, AMPTP to resume talks next week
