Barrymore announced on Sept. 10 that “The True Barrymore Show” would resume production amid a strike by writers and actors that led to protests and pickets from the Writers Guild of America outside her New York studio last week.
Writers have been on strike for more than four months, campaigning for better pay and protection in the streaming era. The Screen Actors Guild launched its own strike in July over similar issues, including better residual pay from streaming services. The “True Barrymore Show” has hired three WGA writers, all of whom went on strike outside the show’s tapings last week.
Barrymore wrote on Instagram on Sunday, “I hope the entire industry finds a solution soon. Barrymore’s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
CBS first declared In early September, Barrymore’s show will return for a new season beginning September 18. A CBS Media spokeswoman said Sunday the company stands by Barrymore.
“We support Drew’s decision to suspend attendance on the show and understand how complicated and difficult this process has been for him,” the spokesperson said.
As the taping took place on Monday and Tuesday, attendees found themselves greeted by WGA protesters and picketers who chanted “CBS! You are a mess!” and “We expect more from Drew Barry-more!” Some viewers were given WGA support pins. According to Many reportsTwo Barrymore fans wearing WGA pins were asked to leave the taping for safety reasons.
“The picket has and will continue to shut down shows in production during the Guild strike. Any writing on ‘The True Barrymore Show’ is a violation of WGA rules,” one post said. WGA East’s Instagram account said last week.
His decision to resume production prompted the National Book Awards to rescind an invitation to Barrymore to host the next ceremony. Writers on social media criticized Barrymore for going ahead with the taping. In May, Barrymore refused to present the MTV Movie and TV Awards in support of the strike.
Several daytime talk shows remain in production despite the strike, including “The View.” Similarly, “Jeopardy!” It announced in August that it would return for its 40th season with recycled questions.
Last week, “The Jennifer Hudson Show” and “The Talk” declared They would return during the strike shortly after Barrymore made his decision. It’s not clear if those shows will also pause production.
