Drew Barrymore Show Returns Amid Writers and SAG-AFTRA Strikes

As writers and actors go on strike, Drew Barrymore is coming back to television screens come September. However, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has said that it will picket the studio on Monday and Tuesday.

Drew Barrymore said in a long Instagram post that her daytime talk show’s fourth season will soon begin since WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike rules demand shows be off the air for 30 days or more to return production during their next regularly scheduled slot. A WGA spokesperson told Deadline “Drew” counts as a strike show, thereby its members will be picketing outside NYC studios on those two days.

Said the WGA spokesperson, “It’s been out of service since May 2nd but has now decided to return without its writers. The Guild will henceforth continue to picket any struck show that continues production throughout the duration of the strike.”

Season 2 of “Drew” is set to premiere on September 18, with the show expected to produce without any literary material, following in the footsteps of ABC’s “The View.”

A spokesman for CBS Media Ventures, the show’s producer, stated: “The Drew Barrymore Show will not be doing any writing work covered under the WGA strike.”

Barrymore explained why she wanted to return to work during the strikes. She emphasized that her show is “bigger than just me” and offers employment for writers and entertainment for people when it is needed most.

However, other than a rule about what can’t be done during a strike, “Drew” will resume its new season. Guest actors, however, must abide by SAG-AFTRA strike rules, including the prohibition of discussing or promoting any strike work.

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton is joining as a new addition alongside other returning features.

The decision by Drew Barrymore to go ahead and continue the show echoes her commitment to offer a platform that unites people and helps them understand the human experience in adversity.