Drew Barrymore 'deeply apologises' to unions ahead of The Drew Barrymore Show's return
In a video post on Instagram, the host of her talkshow said she had decided to go forward as people's jobs were on the line and that the show would not violate strike restrictions.
Drew Barrymore poses on the red carpet as she arrives for the Time Magazine 100 gala celebrating their list of the 100 Most Influential People in the world in New York City on April 26, 2023. (Photo: REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)
Actor Drew Barrymore issued a video apology to striking Hollywood writers on Friday but said she will go forward with plans to resume her talkshow next week.
Barrymore has been subject to protests by members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) who argue that she is violating terms of their work stoppage by filming new episodes of The Drew Barrymore Show. The first is scheduled to air on Monday.
In a video posted on Instagram, Barrymore's voice quivered as she addressed the backlash.
"I deeply apologise to writers. I deeply apologise to unions," she said.
Barrymore said she decided to go forward in part because "other people's jobs are on the line." Thousands of crew members have been out of work since the WGA strike began in May and shut down production. More filming ground to a halt when members of the SAG-AFTRA actors union walked off the job in July.
In addition, Barrymore said she "wanted to make a show that was there for people in sensitive times".
Barrymore repeated that she believes her show will comply with strike restrictions.
"There's nothing I can do to make this okay to those this is not okay with," she added. "I fully accept that."
Other talkshows also are planning to return to TV shortly. Real Time host Bill Maher said he was bringing back his HBO show without written pieces such as a monologue and will focus on debates with guests.
The WGA said it was "difficult to imagine" how Maher, a WGA member, could host the show and still comply with strike rules. The union said members would picket the filming of Real Time.
