Though “The Drew Barrymore Show” is preparing to go back on the air, its three head writers have declined to return with it. The development comes less than a month after Barrymore found herself in a firestorm of controversy for announcing a return to production before the WGA strike concluded.
A source close to the talk show shared that the three writers — Chelsea White, Cristina Kinon and Liz Koe— were offered deals after the WGA strike order was lifted on Sept. 27. The trio, who shared the position of co-head writer on the series, declined.
The talk show is set to broadcast its first new episode in months on Oct. 16. New writers are now being interviewed to replace the trio.
Barrymore became a prominent target of union criticism in the final weeks of the WGA strike. The host announced plans for her talk show to return before the guild reached a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, publicly doubling-down on her decision with a now-deleted apology video posted on social media, in which she stated “I own this choice” regarding the return. After that statement only amplified the controversy, Barrymore reversed her decision two days later.
“I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over,” Barrymore wrote on Instagram on Sept. 17. “I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today. We really tried to find our way forward. And I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon.”
Ahead of Barrymore’s reversal, the WGA released a statement against the decision to begin shooting again: “Drew Barrymore should not be on the air while her writers are on strike fighting for a fair deal. In reality, shows like this cannot operate without writing, and that is struck work.”
The Hollywood Reporter was first to report news of Barrymore’s writers electing to leave the program.
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