Writers Refuse Return To Popular Talk Show
The Drew Barrymore Show is about to hit the air again — this time for real. However, three of the show’s writers have refused offers to return to work even though the writers’ strike is officially over. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Barrymore writers Chelsea White, Cristina Kinon, and Liz Koe decided to part ways with the talk show, presumably because of the star’s early attempts to return to work before the WGA strike had concluded.
Drew Barrymore got caught in a jam and nearly got canceled last month when she announced that her talk show would be returning for its fourth season during the writers’ strike without the series writers. After several guests canceled their appearances and backlash went viral across the internet, Barrymore reversed the plans to return to the air and posted an apology video that she took down soon after hitting publish.
Three writers for The Drew Barrymore Show refuse to return following the star’s attempts to return to the air during the WGA strike.
Now, however, the WGA strike has officially concluded, and The Drew Barrymore Show is returning for real. While the Charlie’s Angels actress is all set to return to her positivity-induced morning show on October 16, three of her previous team have opted not to join her. Barrymore writers Chelsea White, Cristina Kinon, and Liz Koe are moving on, and the production is currently in the process of interviewing new writers to ensure compliance with the guild’s regulations.
White, Kinon, and Koe, who held the title of co-head writers at The Drew Barrymore Show and had been with the series since Season 1, were highly visible during their protest when the show initially returned to production in mid-September. They were seen picketing outside Drew’s Manhattan studio with signs advocating for union labor and highlighting the ongoing strike.
In her initial post, Drew Barrymore took ownership of her choice but faced intense criticism from fans and the public.
During this protest, the trio expressed their disappointment with The Drew Barrymore Show’s initial decision to return without them. Chelsea White stated, “It is a bummer to hear that the show is going back because it sends a message that union writers are not valuable.” Cristina Kinon emphasized the importance of sticking with the union and seeking a fair contract.
While Drew Barrymore’s decision to return without her writing staff was controversial, it did not violate SAG-AFTRA rules. The show operates under the Network Television Code, which is a separate contract and was not affected by the strike. Nonetheless, Barrymore faced significant backlash, with her initial social media post defending the decision becoming infamous.
Amid mounting pressure and backlash, Drew Barrymore decided to pause the show’s premiere until the strike concluded, addressing her deepest apologies to those who were hurt by her initial decision.
In her initial post, Drew Barrymore took ownership of her choice but faced intense criticism from fans and the public. She had previously shown support for the WGA strike by stepping down from her hosting duties at the MTV Movie and TV Awards. Despite the controversy, Barrymore had won the award for Best Host and acknowledged the striking writers in her prerecorded acceptance speech, calling them “our amazing, amazing writers.”
Amid mounting pressure and backlash, Drew Barrymore decided to pause the show’s premiere until the strike concluded, addressing her deepest apologies to those who were hurt by her initial decision. It seems the apology wasn’t enough for the head-writing trio. Hopefully, Barrymore has learned from the experience and will move forward with the new writers the production hires while remembering that fair contracts and workers’ rights are vital considerations, even in the world of daytime talk shows.
