Drew Barrymore APOLOGIZES for resuming talk show during writers strike – as Hollywood holds onto hope it could soon end with union and studio to hold talks next week

Drew Barrymore has apologized for resuming her talk show without her three unionized writers amid the ongoing writers’ strike.

The 48-year-old actress has faced mounting backlash over the decision to return to screens on September 18. Earlier this week, filming for the fourth season of her show took place.

She was criticized on Monday after two audience members claimed they were removed from the set of The Drew Barrymore Show for wearing pins showing solidarity with the Writers Guild Of America (WGA).

Barrymore issued an emotional apology to the striking union in a video on Friday afternoon, but insisted her show would go on. “I wanted to make a decision so that it wasn’t a PR-protected situation, and I would just take full responsibility for my actions,” she said.

It comes as Hollywood studios hope the four-month strike can end with efforts to schedule a new round of talks with the WGA next week.

Barrymore offered an explanation for why her daytime talk show returned in the middle of the writers’ strike.

“I don’t think there’s anything I can do or say right now to make it right,” she said through tears.

‘I completely accept that. I completely understand that. There are so many reasons why this is so complex, and I just want everyone to know that my intentions have never upset or hurt again.

‘It’s not who I am. 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 sincerely apologize to the unions.”

She added: ‘There’s a big question as to why – why am I doing this?

“Well, I certainly couldn’t have expected this kind of attention, and we’re not going to break the rules and we’re going to stick to them. I wanted to do this because, like I said, this is bigger than me and other people’s jobs are at stake.”

Barrymore announced the decision to bring back her daytime talk show in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday, despite previously walking out as host of the MTV Movie & TV Awards just days after the strike.

“I’m also making the choice to come back into this strike for the first time for our show, which may have my name on it, but this is bigger than just me,” she said.

“I own this choice,” she added, asserting that the show “is consistent with not discussing or promoting film and television that is affected in any way.”

The WGA responded to its decision to bring back the show during the strike.

A union spokesperson claimed that The Drew Barrymore Show is a high-profile show, and as a result, union members picketed outside its New York City studios on Monday and Tuesday.

“It has been off the air since the strike began on May 2, but has now (sadly) decided to return without the writers,” the spokesperson said in the statement.

“The Guild has and will continue to cherry-pick any successful show that continues production during the strike.”

Actors appearing as guests when The Drew Barrymore returns for its fourth season will be required to adhere to the Screen Actors Guild American – Federation Of Television And Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike rules. This includes not discussing or promoting fallen works.

Cristina Kinon, one of the co-head writers of The Drew Barrymore Show who is on strike, spoke out about the issue.

She was diplomatic about the situation, but argued that Barrymore could have done more to help television industry workers affected by the strikes than simply restarting the show, and Kinon said returning to the airwaves would only ” would prolong the strike’.

“Personally, I understand that everyone has to make the best decision for themselves,” Kinon said cautiously.

“I know this show has a crew of hundreds of people that need to be paid, and I understand the perspective of wanting to protect your cast, your crew and your staff.”

Kinon added that the WGA’s thousands of members are striking in solidarity with other unions currently fighting for better working conditions.

She said members “stand behind all unions and all trade unions around the world because that’s how it works,” adding: “Unions only work when you work with unions across the labor spectrum.”

Other talk shows including Real Time With Bill Maher, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, Sherri and The Talk have also announced their return without writers.

Maher also faced massive backlash and was criticized by author Stephen King and sports commentator Keith Olbermann for the decision.

“This is exactly how strikes are broken,” King wrote on X.

While Olbermann said: ‘As someone you’ve known since 1978: F*** you, Bill, you selfish and unfunny son of a bitch.’

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) announced Thursday that it is working with the WGA to return to the negotiating table.

It said the two sides were “planning a meeting next week.”

“On Wednesday, September 13, the WGA contacted the AMPTP and requested a meeting to move negotiations forward,” the studio alliance said.

“We have agreed and are working to schedule a meeting next week. “Every company that is a member of the AMPTP is committed and eager to reach a fair deal, and to work with the WGA to end the strike.”

An email titled “Negotiation Update” was sent to WGA members, stating: “The WGA and AMPTP are in the process of scheduling a time to return to the chamber.”

The WGA, which represents 11,500 screenwriters, was the first to go on strike on May 2 over an ongoing labor dispute with the AMPTP.

One of the main focuses in the labor dispute is streaming video residuals, with the WGA claiming that AMPTP’s share of such residuals has reduced a large portion of writers’ average incomes compared to a decade ago.

Writers also want artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, to be used only as a tool that can assist with research or facilitate script ideas, and not as a tool to replace it.

Members of the Screen Actors Guild American – Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). which represents approximately 160,000 media professionals and entertainers, went on strike on July 14 over the ongoing labor dispute with the AMPTP.

The union cited several issues during the negotiations, including “economic justice, residuals, regulating the use of artificial intelligence and easing the burden of the industry-wide shift to self-taping.”