11 September 2023 , 09:07
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Drew Barrymore has been branded a "scab" and her show "struck" after it was announced that her talk show will return amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.
The Drew Barrymore Show will be returning despite the 48-year-old actress and television star previously walking away as host of the MTV Movie & TV Awards just days into the strike. "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," she said in a very lengthy post on Instagram.
The former Scream star went on to add: "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 writers." She added that the season had wrapped in April, prior to the strike, meaning they never shut down production.
Some fans have said they will unfollow Drew after branding her a 'scab' (CBS)"Owning" her choice to make a comeback, Drew explained that she's choosing to return to the show and have it return to air because the show is "bigger" than her. Saying that she "owns" her choice, Drew went on: "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."
Drew added that she wanted 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". She then said that she hopes for a resolution soon before concluding: "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."
James Corden confesses to Drew Barrymore why he's leaving The Late Late Show
Fans were then quick to criticise the star for her decision by flocking to the comments section to challenge her choice. One person said: "Breaking the strike to ensure you continue having a show is disappointing to say the least. As someone who has lived their life as a millionaire from Hollywood royalty, you have never had to fight to keep the lights on, your family fed, or decent wages. And it shows."
Another then said: "This is incredibly disappointing and a poor showing of solidarity and care for the future of thousands of people's livelihoods, including your staff. This is harmful to the larger cause and to the very profession we're trying to save and protect. Please reconsider." While a third branded the announcement as "vile" before declaring they would be unfollowing the star.
A picket line will be outside of the studio amid the show's returnAmid the many comments branding her a "scab", some people however have supported Drew. One person said: "Elegance defined," while another said: "You're a revelation and a comfort to so many. You go above and beyond to remain reliable, relatable and open-hearted. I look forward to season four. Thank you!"
The Hollywood Reporter have reported that a spokesperson for the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have declared the The Drew Barrymore Show a struck show, and as a result union members are going to picket outside of her studios on Monday and Tuesday in New York City.
"It has stayed off the air since the strike began on May 2nd but has now (unfortunately) decided to return without its writers,' the spokesperson said in the statement. 'The Guild has, and will continue to, picket any struck show that continues production for the duration of the strike."