Drew Barrymore is making headlines for saying that she will continue her show amid the WG and SAG strikes. The former child star has had three successful seasons of her talk show called “The Drew Barrymore Show,“ and piggybacking on her success, she will be continuing the fourth season.
Hollywood is a buzz with the Writers Union and Screen Actors Guild union strikes for a few months now. This has affected production for many television shows films and all kinds of media. the writers and crew members of many film shows have gone on strike to fight for their rights to equal compensation and many other issues prevalent in the film industry.
It is a crucial time for the entertainment industry in the whole world. Technology has come to a point where producers and big media companies are thinking about replacing the actual human workforce with AI. So many shows were put on hold because of the strikes.
The Drew Barrymore show hosted by the iconic star herself, has had multiple seasons with successful reviews. And now Drew Barrymore is gearing towards a fourth season. But it is a sensitive time for anyone working in the industry. However, Barrymore has squashed the fears of her critics, saying that the show will adhere to the rules of the WG and SAG strikes.
Barrymore clarified her position with the writers and actor strikes happening around the country. In a lengthy Instagram post, she gave her statement and an update on how the production of her show is doing. It reads,
“I made a choice to walk away from the MTV, film, and television awards because I was the host and it had a direct conflict with what the strike was dealing with which was studios, streamers, film, and television. it was also in the first week of the strike and so I did what I thought was the appropriate thing at the time to stand in solidarity with the rioters. And to be clear, our talk show actually wrapped on April 20 so we never had to shut down the show. However, I am also making the choice to come back for the first time in the strike for our show, which may have my name on it, but this is bigger than just me.“
“I own this choice. We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind. We launched live in a global pandemic. 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. I hope for a resolution for everyone as soon as possible. We have navigated difficult times since we first came on air. And so I take a step forward to start season four once again with an astute humility.“
This was a controversial post from Drew Barrymore. Many daytime shows were able to continue airing episodes because they did not employ workers from the unions however, Barry Morris’s show is one of the outliers. Together with “The Talk,” “the Drew Barrymore show,“ has only played reruns since the start of the strikes.
The decision to start the fourth season is contrary to the WGA, however, future guests of the show will abide by the SAG – AFTRAA rules and they will not discuss any struck work or promote any films included in the strikes.
While Drew Barrymore has been forthcoming about how, even though the fourth season will air, they will still follow the rules of the strikes, people are undecided if it’s the right move. Many medicines commented on their Morris post that her show will be the next they picket.