“Are the publicists on strike too?” journalist Hunter Harris asked this week, highlighting the relevance of the question amidst the controversy surrounding the return of Drew Barrymore’s talk show during the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. Barrymore recently deleted an emotional video in which she apologized for her show’s return and denied working with a public relations team to explain the decision.
The past few days have been tumultuous for the actress turned talk show host. Initially, her show announced its return from summer hiatus through press releases and social media. However, when the show’s writers learned that the show would be returning without them, the WGA intervened and announced plans to picket the studio. Barrymore posted an apology/explanation on Instagram in response to the picket news, going against the advice of crisis communications specialists who would typically advise their clients to avoid further engagement. She followed up with a video apologizing to the writers and unions but reiterating her decision to continue production.
High-profile actors, many of whom are also affected by the SAG-AFTRA strike, criticized Barrymore’s video, with actor Bradley Whitford tweeting, “Drew Barrymore would like you to know that undermining union solidarity at the most crucial moment in Hollywood labor history makes her the victim.” Other actors, such as David Krumholtz and Debra Messing, expressed similar sentiments in the comments section of Barrymore’s post.
Although Barrymore’s post disappeared overnight, tickets for her show are still available online, indicating that production has not halted. The WGA’s East Coast strike schedule includes planned pickets at Barrymore’s studio for the upcoming week. Meanwhile, there has been less public outcry regarding Bill Maher’s decision to resume production without writers for his late-night talk show.
The WGA will also picket Maher’s show, stating that it is challenging to envision how the show can proceed without violating WGA strike rules. Unlike Barrymore, Maher has not responded to the criticism or the posts calling for disruption of his show. This non-response may result in fewer stories being written about him as the strike continues. However, it remains unclear when the strike will end, as a highly anticipated meeting between WGA leadership and top showrunners was abruptly canceled. Resuming negotiations is a positive sign, but some writers, like Cristina Kinon, co-head writer of The Drew Barrymore Show, worry that decisions like Barrymore’s may prolong the work stoppage and further hamper the industry.