Why The Drew Barrymore Show is Being Picketed
When the news was announced, picketers took their stance in NYC, outside the CBS Broadcast Center.
Despite the network’s insistent that the show is in compliance with the strikes, Barrymore put herself in deep water after two audience members revealed that they were asked to leave the taping after wearing WGA pins.
Along with this talk show, picketers have been standing outside the filming locations of The View, who also decided to move on without WGA writers. The show initially decided to move on to film the next season without three of its unionized writers.
In response, the WGA released a statement saying that Drew’s show shouldn’t be on air while her writers were fighting for justice and working to get a fair deal. The statement further explained that shows like this don’t operate without writing.
Drew Barrymore’s apology video.
In a clip where she stated that she wanted to remain responsible for her actions, Barrymore said, “I know there’s just nothing I can do that will make this OK for those it is not OK with,” Barrymore said.
“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 anyone. It’s not who I am.”
Despite her tearful and supposedly sincere apologies, she’s been called a “union buster” by many who disagree with her decision. Others believe that the celebrity would prolong the SAG strike by continuing with her show rather than standing in solidarity.
Despite letting folks know that she was sorry, she defended her choice brazenly and said that she owned her choice, adding, “We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind. We launched live during 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.”
