Drew Barrymore Posts Tearful Apology Responding to Backlash
Drew Barrymore has broken her silence amid the flurry of backlash she’s received since announcing the return of her daytime talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show, amid the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
In an emotional and lengthy video shared on Instagram, the actress explained her decision to resume season four.
“I believe there’s nothing I can do or say in this moment to make it OK,” she began, adding, “I wanted to own a decision, so that it wasn’t a PR-protected situation, and I would just take full responsibility for my actions.”
Holding back tears, the host continued: “I know there is just nothing I can do that will make this OK to those that it is not OK with. I fully accept that. I fully understand that. There are so many reasons why this is so complex, and I just want everyone to know my intentions have never been in a place to upset or hurt anymore. It’s not who I am. I’ve been through so many ups and downs in my life, and this is one of them.”
She then offered a heartfelt apology to the “writers” and “unions,” before addressing the “why” behind her decision, reiterating what she said in her initial statement that they “aren’t going to break rules and we will be in compliance,” before clarifying, “I wanted to do this, because as I said, this is bigger than me and there are other people’s jobs on the line.”
The comments on the transparent post were mixed. One user wrote, “We ALL want to make a show, Drew. Now is not the time. We're all suffering through this together - in unity. Hence the word Union. I worked with you on Santa Clarita Diet. You're a wonderful person. Doing a show during a multi-union strike is no bueno. End of story,” as another underscored, “the jobs you're supporting on your show are not more important than the ones on any other show. Breaking the strike is a terrible idea. Viewers can wait. Pay your people during the strike and show some solidarity.”
Related: Why Drew Barrymore Is Being Called Out by Fans
Others applauded her for her commitment to the show and her staff, urging her not to “let people bully” her, and adding, “You have a responsibility to the rest of the crew on that show and you have to fulfill the terms of your contract with Paramount/CBS Media Ventures under SAG/AFTRA’s NetCode. You are legally allowed to work and this is what you sign up for when you do daytime TV. Keep your head up.”
CBS then released its own statement, noting to Parade, "As The Drew Barrymore Show returns with original episodes on Monday we are very mindful and sensitive to the complex circumstances surrounding the show’s return and we will be in full compliance with all our labor agreements and any strike rules."
The spokesperson for the network continued, "Our host works under a separate agreement with SAG-AFTRA ('The Network Code') that allows Drew and other daytime hosts to continue hosting the show. While our show has been largely an unscripted talk show from the beginning, the new shows we are producing this season will be completely unscripted until the strike ends. No one on our staff will fill a writing position. If you watch the show, it is obvious that Drew has always brought raw, unfiltered, spontaneous, open and honest conversations to her viewers and that will continue. The show also moves forward with important consideration to our staff and crew comprised of over 150 people, as well as our loyal viewers. We fully support Drew and her entire team 100%.”
Barrymore's decision was met with plenty of pushback from viewers and unions, alike, including the Writers Guild of America, East, which wrote, “The @DrewBarrymoreTV Show is a WGA covered, struck show that is planning to return without its writers. The Guild has, and will continue to, picket struck shows that are in production during the strike. Any writing on 'The Drew Barrymore Show' is in violation of WGA strike rules.”
The fallout continued in the week following her announcement as WGA members picketed outside the studio, including the show's writers. She was also dropped as host of this year's National Book Awards following her decision.
Barrymore’s show—which is still currently slated to premiere on Sept. 18—is not the only one that’s returning, though it is one that has caught the most heat. Shortly after the star’s controversial announcement, The Jennifer Hudson Show and The Talk also announced that their seasons would be premiering on the same day
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