Drew Barrymore's Talk Show Backlash Explained: What Happened Exactly?

The Emmy-nominated actress and host has inspired a wave of hate.

As the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes show no signs of stopping while the new 2023 season has already begun, we are seeing the impact. Our beloved shows like Young Sheldon and Virgin River have been put on hold. Movie productions have been delayed. And fan-favorite talk shows have been halted. All but one...

The Drew Barrymore Show, hosted by the titular actress, debuted on CBS in 2020. Since then, it has run for three full seasons, with a total of nearly six hundred episodes. Because the show's writers are members of the Writers Guild of America, they are prohibited from returning for another season this year, but that doesn't seem to be stopping Barrymore from launching a fourth installment later this month. Naturally, the actress has been bombarded with criticism.

Drew Barrymore Made an Instagram Post

A couple of days ago, the celebrated actress and host of her eponymous show posted on her Instagram that she'd decided to return for another season, despite the ongoing strikes. According to Barrymore, the new season won't break any WAG and SAG-AFTRA rules, as no projects will be promoted or discussed.

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Barrymore's Colleagues and Fans Disapprove of the Move

Following the news, people seem to be going crazy over the return of The Drew Barrymore Show. Many have expressed their deep disappointment in the actress for allegedly undermining the Writers and Actors Union's cause.

'And the award for the most selfish human being on the planet goes to…' one Instagram user's comment went.

Ultimately, people don't understand how Barrymore plans to proceed without breaking WAG and SAG-AFTRA regulations. Who will write for the show? Who will be the guests? What will the show be about? These questions have caused the most concern among Barrymore's fans and fellow actors and writers.

Some people are speculating that the upcoming season of the talk show will employ non-union writers, derogatorily called 'scabs'. The main issue here is that these non-union writers undermine the union's cause by agreeing to work during strikes.

Another concern is that Barrymore's celebrity guests will be put in an awkward position if they choose to appear on the show. Well, it remains to be seen exactly how Season 4 of The Drew Barrymore Show will go down. In turn, the actress' reputation has been forever tarnished by the decision.