On Monday, September 11th, demonstrators outside CBS studios in Manhattan expressed frustration with Drew Barrymore’s decision to continue her talk show amidst the writer’s strike. 

Barrymore, whose show debuted in 2020, defended this decision on Instagram, saying she “owned this choice” and that the show would be “in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind.”

The Writers Guild of America, individual writers, and actors also took to social media to weigh in on the decision. The WGA said that “any writing on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ is in violation of WGA strike rules.” Additionally, actors, writers, and other guests have pulled out of appearing on Barrymore’s show, confirmed by Greg Iwinski, a WGA negotiating committee and Writers Guild East council member. 

Guild contracts for talk shows were renewed last year, so Barrymore can film the show as a SAG-AFTRA member. Writing for the show is not permitted by WGA rules, so Barrymore or producers would have to write themselves. The show is set to debut its fourth season on September 18th. 


Source: The New York Times and Rolling Stone

Feature Image credit to ‘The Drew Barrymore Show,’ CBS via People