Why Drew Barrymore Is Being Called Out by Fans

Drew Barrymore is facing some criticism from fans after announcing her return to TV amid the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

The actress began trending on X (previously Twitter) as viewers called her out for her decision to resume her talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show, with one user calling it “Truly a masterclass in bad decision making,” stating that not only is she “hurting hundreds of thousands of workers,” but she’s also “throwing away her reputation for the rest of time so her talk show can come back a few months early.”

On Sunday, Sept. 10, Barrymore defended her decision to return with season four of her show in a lengthy statement shared on Instagram. “I am also making the choice to come back for the first time in this strike for our show, that may have my name on it but this is bigger than just me,” she said, declaring, "I own this choice.”

Related: Drew Barrymore Defends Decision to Return to TV

After claiming that the show complies with all of the guidelines as the strikes continue, the 48-year-old added, "Our show was built for sensitive times and has only functioned through what the real world is going through in real time. 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."

While many of the comments under the post seemed to support her, the discourse of X was far different, with fans and viewers sharing their disappointment.

“This is incredibly disappointing. @DrewBarrymore's show employs WGA writers who are currently on strike. She is choosing to go back on the air without them, and forcing her guests to cross a picket line. Drew: This harms your writers and all union workers. Please reconsider,” one user wrote.

The Writers Guild of America, East, noted, “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.”

Since her announcement, the WGA members have been striking against the show, with one writing, “If you’re in NYC and want to be part of something, highly recommend joining the WGA members striking the Drew Barrymore show right now. Pains me that she’s doing this. Gutted but this strike is 4 months in and we’ve come so far, no one is exempt and we will ultimately win.”

Another post showed picketers outside of the CBS studios this morning in protest of the show, as someone said they’d be joining “with a heavy heart.”

David Slack took to X to clarify that while Barrymore is employed under multiple contracts, the TV show talk show is “covered under SAG-AFTRA’s Netcode contract — which is not on strike,” explaining, “As long as she doesn’t promote any of her old movies on the show, she’s not violating SAG-AFTRA’s TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike.”

However, it’s more complex than that because “the Drew Barrymore Show *is* covered under the WGA’s film and TV contract (which we call our MBA)," clarifying, "So while Drew Barrymore is not a WGA member, her show employs WGA writers who are currently out on strike.”

“So, by returning to work on her talk show, Drew Barrymore is not violating SAG-AFTRA’s strike rules,” but by writing the monologues, jokes, and interview questions, she is violating the “ WGA’s strike rules,” which apply to non-members as well.

“While it’s doubtful that Drew Barrymore cares about being banned from joining the WGA, it’s a safe bet she cares about her reputation. And I hope she cares about her writers,” Slack continued while imploring her to do the right thing as she has “a lot of influence and power."

"You stood with the writers in the first weeks of our strike. Stand with us now," he concluded.

“I never would have expected that it would be Drew Barrymore who would defy the WGA strike! Also who on earth would be a guest in this circumstance? Strange times,” someone else wrote.

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Barrymore received her fair share of support, however, with one adding, “You’re such a good human, thank you for explaining this to us. In my opinion, your show is really important to a lot of people and I think it’s great that you’re finding a way to come back.”

Another championed, “It’s exhausting having to see people put out statements to protect their reasons. You do for you and your people,” as a third noted, "Leading is hard."

Season four of The Drew Barrymore Show is expected to premiere on Sept. 18, unless the host has a change of heart in the days to come.

Next, Drew Barrymore Has the Perfect Response for Talk Show Trolls