Drew Barrymore's Talk Show Goes On Hiatus Because Of Hollywood Strike

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Drew Barrymore said she would pause production on her daytime talk show after facing intense opposition from writers, actors and fans over her decision to restart the show amid the Hollywood strike.

“I have listened to everyone and am making the decision to pause the premiere of the show until the strike is over,” she said in a statement posted on Instagram. “I don’t have the words to sincerely apologize to everyone I hurt and of course to our incredible team who work on the show and made it what it is today.”

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Barrymore announced Sept. 10 that production of “The Drew Barrymore Show” would resume in light of the writers’ and actors’ strikes that led to protests and picketing by the Writers Guild of America outside its New York studio last week.

Writers have been on strike for more than four months, demanding better pay and protection in the streaming age. The Screen Actors Guild launched its own strike in July over similar issues, including better residual pay on streaming services. The “Drew Barrymore Show” employs three WGA writers, all of whom demonstrated outside of the show’s tapings last week.

“I really hope for a solution for the entire industry soon,” Barrymore wrote on Instagram on Sunday. Representatives for Barrymore did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

CBS originally announced in early September that Barrymore’s show would return for a new season premiering September 18th. A CBS Media spokesman said Sunday that the company stands with Barrymore.

“We support Drew’s decision to pause the show’s return and understand how complex and difficult this process has been for her,” the spokesperson said.

As tapings rolled on Monday and Tuesday, those in attendance said they were greeted by WGA protesters and picketers chanting phrases like “CBS!” You’re a mess!” and “We expect more from Drew Barry – more!” Some audience members were presented with WGA support pins. According to multiple reports, two Barrymore fans wearing WGA pins were asked to leave the taping for safety reasons.

“The Guild has and will continue to strike shows produced during the strike. “Any writing on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ violates WGA rules,” said a post on the WGA East’s Instagram account last week.

Their decision to restart production also caused the National Book Awards to withdraw their invitation to Barrymore to host the next ceremony. Writers on social media criticized Barrymore for continuing with the recording. In May, Barrymore declined to host the MTV Movie and TV Awards in support of the strike.

A number of daytime talk shows remained in production despite the strike, including “The View.” Likewise, “Jeopardy!” announced in August that it would return for its 40th season with recycled questions.

Last week, “The Jennifer Hudson Show” and “The Talk” announced their returns during the strike, shortly after Barrymore made her decision. It’s unclear if production on these shows will also be paused.