Drew Barrymore is working on 'physical proximity' between her and talk show guests after claims she's 'too touchy'

“So, I hear you and I’ll do my best," the host said about her unique interview style, "but it is so hard.”

Drew Barrymore has heard everyone’s comments and is going to try her best to put some distance between her and her talk show guests moving forward.

During the season 5 premiere of The Drew Barrymore Show on Monday, the actress acknowledged on two separate occasions that she’s trying to work on the “physical proximity” between her and guests after people have said that she's "too touchy."

That includes while speaking with Armchair Expert podcaster, Dax Shepard. “I get in trouble for physical proximity on this show,” Barrymore confessed. “I guess a lot of people say, like, ‘You’re too touchy,’ about me. And I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s so…’ talk about shame and embarrassment. I’m horrified when I hear that, and yet I can’t stop.”

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related: Valerie Bertinelli joins The Drew Barrymore Show as lifestyle expert for season 5

Barrymore has been known to get up close and personal when chatting with her guests over the last four seasons, often reaching out to hold hands with them, touch their shoulder, or pull them into a hug. The physical aspect of her interviews has divided viewers, with some voicing their appreciation for it and others critiquing her on social media.

Shepard understood where she was coming from. “It’s kind of who you are,” he said. “It is helpful that you’re an average-sized lady. If you were my size man-handling everyone, it might be a little different. So you might have a freedom I don’t.”

When Barrymore asked if he, similarly, ever got the “urge to touch people” on his show, he replied, “I do. You and I are very similar. We’re very touchy. We’re very love addict-y. Ding, ding, ding, we talked about that.” 

As Shepard spoke, Barrymore began petting his shoulder as well as her dog, Douglas, who was sat in between them. “Now I’m petting both of you,” she joked, before stopping.

Shepard noted that he's personally "saved by the fact that I’m across the room from my guests" when recording Armchair Expert. However, he made sure to let Barrymore know that she had "my permission to touch me" during their interview, adding, "I consent!”

Related: Drew Barrymore recalls alternate ending of 50 First Dates

Barrymore also touched upon the topic earlier in the episode as part of a Drew’s News segment with co-host Ross Mathews and CBS Morning hosts Gayle King, Nate Burleson, and Vladimir Duthiers. “It’s so funny, because consistently over the last five years, it’s that I’m too touchy and too close to people,” she explained. “Which is so embarrassing.”

“But that’s a part of the show!" Burleson interjected. "It’s woven in the fabric of what this show is, that intimacy.”

A pouting Barrymore admitted that she’s not sure she can "break the habit" either. “So, I hear you and I’ll do my best," she said, "but it is so hard.”

In response, King pulled Barrymore into a hug, adding, "It's okay."

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.