Post-Strike Fallout: ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ Grapples With Writer Departures

“The Drew Barrymore Show” has rescheduled the premiere of Season 4 following the recent end of the Hollywood writers’ strike. The syndicated daytime talk show is now set to return on October 16, as confirmed by “The Drew Barrymore Show” Instagram account. Earlier, Barrymore had postponed the launch of Season 4 due to widespread criticism after announcing its resumption during the strike.

All three co-head writers who previously worked on Barrymore’s program—Cristina Kinon, Chelsea White, and Liz Koe—have declined offers to return, according to the Los Angeles Times. The show is currently in the process of interviewing new writers to comply with guild rules.

Wendy McMahon, president of CBS Media Ventures, expressed excitement about Season 4 before the initial premiere delay, praising the show’s resilience and creative adaptability.

In early September, Barrymore announced the show’s return to filming during the writers’ strike, which garnered backlash from the Writers Guild of America and its supporters, accusing her of crossing the picket line. Members of the WGA, including Barrymore’s writers, picketed a subsequent taping of the show in New York City.

Less than a week later, Barrymore posted a tearful video on Instagram, apologizing to writers and unions while standing by her actions. However, she later deleted the video and issued a written statement reversing her decision.

With the strike now resolved, “The Drew Barrymore Show” plans to feature celebrity hairstylists, interior designers, professional chefs, sustainable-living experts, and other influencers to temporarily fill the void left by the ongoing actors’ strike.