Drew Barrymore to ‘pause’ talk show following backlash amid strikes: ‘My deepest apologies’
Drew Barrymore is pressing “pause” on the Season 4 premiere of her talk show after receiving massive backlash for resuming filming amid the ongoing actors’ and writers’ strikes in Hollywood.
”I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over,” the host of “The Drew Barrymore Show” wrote via Instagram Sunday.
“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 is is today.”
Barrymore, 48, added that she “really tried” to “find a way forward” with production as the film industry enters its fourth month of being on strike. SAG-AFTRA joined the Writers Guild of America on the picket line on July 14.
“I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon,” she concluded.
In a statement provided to Page Six, CBS Media Ventures also stood behind Barrymore’s decision, stating, “We support Drew’s decision to pause the show’s return and understand how complex and difficult this process has been for her.”
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The update comes a week after Barrymore announced she was planning to pick up taping for the next season of her show, which was originally slated to air Monday.
Taking to Instagram to stand by her decision at the time, Barrymore wrote in a since-deleted post, “I own this choice … we are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind.”
Soon after, the “Charlie’s Angels” star began to receive backlash from fans, stars and foundations alike for her decision.
As previously reported, Barrymore was dropped as the National Book Awards host for The National Book Foundation’s upcoming event a day after she began taping her first episode. She also received heat from fellow actor Rosie O’Donnell on Saturday, who demanded that Barrymore “stop taping” her show.
“Stop asking audiences to cross the picket line,” O’Donnell shared in a screenshot via Instagram, quoting an essay written by author Elizabeth Grey.
