Drew Barrymore caves to pressure, cancels talk show until end of Hollywood writers’ strike

Actress Drew Barrymore has caved to pressure and decided that she will "pause" the Season 4 premiere of her talk show following backlash for returning to the set while writers are still on strike.

This came after the National Book Foundation informed Barrymore that they were rescinding her invitation to host the National Book Awards due to her failure to "stand in solidarity" with the Writers Guild of America strike, which has been going on since May.

 

"I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over," Barrymore wrote on Instagram, according to the New York Post.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Drew Barrymore (@drewbarrymore)

"I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today. We really tried to find our way forward."

In a statement to the NY Post, CBS Media Ventures said: "We support Drew's decision to pause the show’s return and understand how complex and difficult this process has been for her."

Last week, the Charlie's Angels actress announced in an Instagram post that she would be resuming production of The Drew Barrymore Show which would have premiered on Sept. 18.

"I am … 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 wrote. "I own this choice."

Knowing that her decision might be susceptible to criticism, Barrymore added in the post: "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."

Hollywood actors and writers have been on strike since May, and many individuals across social media have pointed out that hardly anyone has noticed, suggesting that they might not be as important as they proclaim to be.

At least three of the writers on Barrymore's show are members of the Writers Guild, and on Monday, those writers protested in front of the CBS Broadcast Building.

It's unclear if the National Book Awards will reinvite the actress to host the awards show, which is planned for Nov. 15.