Drew Barrymore offered up an explanation Friday as to why her daytime talk show is returning, amid fierce criticism during the writers strike. Later that afternoon, the video had been removed after criticism of the video on social media, notably from her fellow members of the entertainment industry.
Bradley Whitford, Debra Messing and Alyssa Milano were among actors who posted responses to Barrymore’s video.
A tearful Barrymore 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 said through tears.
“I deeply apologize to writers. I deeply apologize to unions,” Barrymore said.
Barrymore previously announced her talk show would be returning on September 18 amid the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Soon after, “The Jennifer Hudson Show” and “The Talk” also announced their returns on the same day. But it is Barrymore who is getting the heat — perhaps because she came forward in a statement, unlike the other hosts from fellow daytime talk shows….
Barrymore’s show returning has been a widely criticized decision, and her show was met with protestors on its first day of production, earlier this week. The WGA condemned Barrymore’s decision to return, while SAG-AFTRA defended her.
Barrymore is not in violation of current SAG-AFTRA strike rules because her work as host of the show is covered by a different contract than the one in dispute by actors.
In a statement, SAG-AFTRA 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.”
Talk shows that have already returned this season include “Live! With Kelly and Mark” and “Tamron Hall,” both of which do not have any writers and are not covered by the WGA, as well as “The View,” which has two WGA writers who stepped away and have not been working since the strike began. Sherri Shepherd’s show “Sherri,” which returns on Sept. 18, does not have any writers and is not a WGA show.