Striking writers unleashed a torrent of fury against actress Drew Barrymore on Monday when she resumed her daytime talk show, which, although not technically part of the Hollywood strike, is dependent on writers who are.
The announcement that Barrymore will be bringing back “The Drew Barrymore Show” amid the Hollywood writers and actors strike prompted protests and picketing from the Writers Guild of America outside her New York City taping on Monday. Barrymore had previously declined to host an MTV award show in support of the strike. For more than 4 months, actors and performers have been vocal in their support for the writers strike and Barrymore’s announcement raises concerns about whether that support is starting to fade.
“I own this choice,” Barrymore stated in her statement. “We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind.”
CBS affirmed the 4th season of the chat show last week, with the 1st episode airing on September 18. As per the WGA “The Drew Barrymore Show” employs three WGA writers, all of whom were out picketing on Monday. Some 100 picketers chanted “Drew The Right Thing” and “We Expect More From Drew Barry-More,” among other things.
Irate writers took to social media account with concern that Barrymore might bring back her show owing to a deal with CBS that did not include WGA scribes.