The Drew Barrymore Show is set to return to television screens sooner than expected.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Drew Barrymore announced that her daytime talk show will soon begin its fourth season in accordance with the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strike rules.
The actress began her post by referencing her decision to skip hosting the MTV Film and TV Awards in May in solidarity with writers who had just gone on strike.
“It was in direct conflict with what the strike was about, namely studios, streamers, film and television,” she wrote in the post and caption. “It was also in the first week of the strike and so I did what I thought was appropriate at the time to show solidarity with the writers.”
She pointed out that her show’s third season had already ended before the strike, so it would never have to be discontinued. But she’s now making another conscious decision to return to work amid the writers’ and actors’ strike because the show is “bigger than just me.”
“I own this choice,” Barrymore continued. “We are committed to not discussing or promoting films and TV shows that have been affected in any way. We started in a global pandemic. Built for sensitive times, our show only works through what the real world is going through in real time.”
The host explained that her desire to return to the talk show was because she wanted to provide work for writers and entertainment for viewers during a difficult time.
“I want to be there to convey what authors do so well, and that is a way to bring us together or help us understand the human experience,” she concluded. “I hope for a solution for everyone as soon as possible. We’ve been through difficult times since we first went on the air. And so I take a step forward to begin Season 4 all over again with astute humility.”
A spokesperson for the Writers Guild told that The Drew Barrymore Show is a strike show and union members will demonstrate outside Barrymore’s studios in New York City on Monday and Tuesday.
“It has not been broadcast since the strike began on May 2, but has now (unfortunately) decided to return without its authors,” the spokesperson said in the statement. “The Guild has and will continue to picket any striking show whose production continues for the duration of the strike.”
Under WGA strike rules, most daytime talk shows are allowed to continue running because many of them do not employ union writers. Two exceptions are “The Drew Barrymore Show” and “The Talk,” which were canceled at the start of the strike and continue to air reruns, as do the late-night talk shows.
As The Drew Barrymore Show begins its new season, unlike the WGA, actors appearing as guests must abide by SAG-AFTRA’s strike rules, which include not discussing or promoting canceled work.