Drew Barrymore defends decision to resume filming talk show amid ongoing Hollywood strikes

Drew Barrymore has announced her self-titled talk show will return to screens despite the ongoing strikes in Hollywood.

Drew Barrymore has made a bold career move, announcing her self-titled daytime talk show will be returning to screens despite the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strike in Hollywood.

In a lengthy Instagram post, the actress defended her decision to begin filming the fourth season of The Drew Barrymore Show sooner than expected, explaining that the show “may have my name” but it is “bigger than just me”.

In her statement, Barrymore vowed her team will work in accordance with the rules of the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA unions, and stresses there will be no writers working who are covered by the WGA strike.

“I own this choice. We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind. We launched live in a global pandemic. Our show was built for sensitive times and has only functioned through what the real world is going through in real time,” she wrote.

The 48-year-old said her decision was also sparked from wanting to provide work for her colleagues and entertainment for viewers.

Drew Barrymore defended her decision in a lengthy Instagram post. Picture: Instagram

“I want to be there to provide what writers do so well, which is a way to bring us together or help us make sense of the human experience. I hope for a resolve for everyone as soon as possible,” she continued.

“We have navigated difficult times since we first came on air. And so I take a step forward to start season 4 once again with an astute humility.”

The actress will kick off filming Season 4 of her talk show this week in New York. Picture: The Drew Barrymore Show

The actress also took the opportunity to explain why she was among the first to stand in solidarity with writers back in May when she dropped out as host of the MTV Movie and TV Awards days before the ceremony.

“I made a choice to walk away from the MTV, film and television awards because I was the host and it had a direct conflict with what the strike was dealing with which was studios, streamers, film, and television,” she wrote.

Drew Barrymore has had many celebrity guests, including Brooke Shields and the co-producer of her documentary Ali Wentworth. Picture: The Drew Barrymore Show

Singer pink has also joined Barrymore on the couch. Picture: The Drew Barrymore Show

“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.”

However, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) says union members are set to picket outside Barrymore’s New York studios on Monday and Tuesday as they believe Barrymore is breaking the solidarity.

“[Her show] has stayed off the air since the strike began on May 2nd but has now (unfortunately) decided to return without its writers,” the spokesperson said in the statement.

“The Guild has, and will continue to, picket any struck show that continues production for the duration of the strike.”

Barrymore’s team at CBS Media Ventures has since hit back with its own statement.

“The Drew Barrymore Show will not be performing any writing work covered by the WGA strike,” a spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter.

Originally published as Drew Barrymore defends decision to resume filming talk show amid ongoing Hollywood strikes