Highlights
- Drew Barrymore’s talk show is in trouble as three writers refuse to return due to her lack of support during the writers’ strike.
- The writers expressed their grievances about the way Drew and her production team handled the strike, emphasizing the importance of sticking with their union.
- Drew issued a tearful apology in response to the backlash, accepting responsibility for her actions and expressing her intentions were never to upset or hurt anyone.
Drew Barrymore’s talk show could in trouble, as as trio of writers are refusing to return in light of the actress’s lack of support for the newly resolved writers’ strike and protests.
Drew experienced backlash last month when she announced that her daytime talk show would kick off its fourth season without its dedicated writers amid the strike. Only a week later, however, response to public criticism and a handful of guest cancellations, she made the decision to reverse course and postponed the show’s return until the conclusion of the WGA strike.
Now that the WGA strike has ended, the show is scheduled to return on October 16th. However, it appears that the original writers—Chelsea White, Cristina Kinon, and Liz Koe—have declined an offer to rejoin the production, insiders told The Hollywood Reports.
As a result, the production team is currently in the process of interviewing new writers to ensure the show can meet its deadlines.
Drew’s Show Returns In 2 Weeks, But The Writers Aren’t Coming Back
The writers have spoken out about their grievances with the way Drew and her production team responded to the strike. They previously informed The Hollywood Reporter that they learned about the show’s return not through their supervisor or coworkers, but rather by seeing ads for audience ticket giveaways posted on social media.
“It is a bummer to hear that the show is going back because it sends a message that union writers are not valuable,” White explained.
“I understand that everybody has to do what they feel is best for them,” Kinon chimed in. “For me and the WGA writers on the show, it’s important for us to stick with our union. We deserve a fair contract, so we are here today outside.”
Drew Issued A Tearful Apology To Her Writers
Drew has not responded the writers’ decision not to return to the show, but she did issue a tearful apology once she first sparked backlash for trying to resume her show amid the strike. “I believe there’s nothing I can do or say in this moment to make it OK,” Drew, 49, wrote on Instagram. “I wanted to own a decision so that it wasn’t a PR, protected situation. And I would just take full responsibility for my actions.”
The television host continued, “I know there’s just nothing I can do that will make this OK for those that is not OK with. I fully accept that. I fully understand that.”
“I just want everyone to know my intentions have never been in a place to upset or hurt anyone. It’s not who I am,” she explained, describing the situation as “complex.”
“I’ve been through so many ups and downs in my life and this is one of them. I deeply apologize to [the] writers. I deeply apologize to unions,” She continued. “I deeply apologize. I don’t exactly know what to say because sometimes when things are so tough, it’s hard to make decisions from that place. “
“So all I can say is that I wanted to accept responsibility,” Drew added. “And no, I don’t have a PR machine behind this, my decision to go back to the show. I didn’t want to hide behind people so I won’t. I won’t polish this with bells and whistles and publicists and corporate rhetoric. I’ll just stand out there and accept and be responsible.”
Drew’s show is set to return in less than two weeks on October 26, but it remains to be seen if the writers’ situation affects production or not.
Source: NewsFinale
