Topics: US News, Drew Barrymore, SAG-AFTRA Writers Strike, Celebrity, Film and TV
Three of The Drew Barrymore Show writers have spoken out about not returning to the show on its first day of production.
Drew Barrymore faced backlash online after she re-started her show, despite the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Despite Barrymore's initial decision to return not actually being in violation of the SAG-AFTRA rules, three writers on Barrymore's show 'decline[d] to return' on the first day of production.
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In a statement shared to Instagram, Barrymore defended her decision to 'come back for the first time in this strike'.
The 48-year-old talk show host explained she originally 'made a choice to walk away from the MTV, film and television awards because [she] was the host and it had a direct conflict with what the strike was dealing with which was studios, streamers, film, and television'.
"It was also in the first week of the strike and so I did what I thought was the appropriate thing at the time to stand in solidarity with the writers," she added.
Barrymore argued her talk show 'actually wrapped on 20 April' so they 'never had to shut down the show,' but she chose to give it the green light despite the ongoing strikes because the show is 'bigger than just [her'].
She revealed the show would air at the end of September.
Her decision to resume production while the WGA strike was ongoing was met with backlash from its striking writers, with some picketing outside the show's Manhattan studio.
Co-head writer Chelsea White told The Hollywood Reporter at the time: "It is a bummer to hear that the show is going back because it sends a message that union writers are not valuable."
Fellow co-head writer Cristina Kinon chimed: "I understand that everybody has to do what they feel is best for them. For me and the WGA writers on the show, it’s important for us to stick with our union. We deserve a fair contract, so we are here today outside."
When asked whether they would return once the strikes were resolved, White said: "Maybe no comment."
The host later apologised and revealed she'd postponed the talk show, pressing 'pause on the premiere until the strike is over', but it looks like that may be too little too late for some of the writers.
Three writers - White, Kinon and Liz Koe - reportedly declined an offer to return to the show after the WGA strike ended.
After 148 days, Hollywood writers solidified a deal on Wednesday, 27 September, bringing their strike to an end.
UNILAD has contacted The Drew Barrymore Show for a comment.
