According to The Hollywood Reporter, although The Drew Barrymore Show is back it seems the continuation will be missing three Writers Guild of America writers who have chosen not to return. During the WGA strike, Drew Barrymore (Charlie’s Angels) announced that her talk show would still be returning for another season despite the strike. This led to some backlash and even guest cancellations, which led to her pausing the show’s return. With the strike now being done, the talk show is scheduled to return on October 16th but without Chelsea White (Singled Out), Cristina Kinon (Ladies Room), and Liz Koe (A League of Their Own), three writers who have decided not to return.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, all three writers were very visible and vocal about their protest in the show’s return to production in mid-September. The three had told THR on September 11th that they found out that the show was returning via audience ticket giveaways that had been posted on social media.
White said, “It is a bummer to hear that the show is going back because it sends a message that union writers are not valuable.’’
Kinon added, “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.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, although Barrymore’s decision did not violate the SAG-AFTRA rules when she decided to return without writers she was still met with backlash. A SAG-AFTRA representative at the time said, “The Drew Barrymore Show is produced under the Network Television Code, which is a separate contract and is not struck. It is permissible work and Drew’s role as host does not violate the current strike rules.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Barrymore had stated, “I own this choice.’’ She reminded many fans that she had made a much different choice back in May when she bowed out of her hosting duties at the MTV Movie and TV Awards in solidarity with the WGA.
After receiving a vast amount of blowback Barrymore stated to fans on September 17th, “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.”