Despite the ongoing writer’s strike, The Drew Barrymore show will return on September 18 for its fourth season. The Writers Guild slams Drew Barrymore for her decision.
When the strike started in May, Barrymore refused to host the MTV Movie Awards because she wanted to support the writers. Now, in a hypocritical move, she wants to return to hosting her daytime talk show.
Barrymore claims she did what she thought was appropriate the first week of the strike and bowed out of the MTV Awards to show respect for the writers.
Now, she suddenly doesn’t even consider the writers when she returns to do her show, and the strike continues.
She believes that since the show wrapped on April 20, and they never actually shut it down, she doesn’t need to worry about violating the strike.
Barrymore said on Instagram that the show is “bigger than her,” which implies that she thinks her show is more important than the cause of the striking writers and actors.
Writers Are Not Supposed to Cross Picket Lines
As far as the rules are concerned, with a writer’s strike, members of the Writers Guild are not allowed to cross WGA picket lines.
Writers should not be allowed to complete or revise work they started before the strike, and of course, it is very much frowned upon to start any new projects.
Actors part of the Screen Actors Guild cannot participate in any on-camera acting, singing, dancing, or stunt work.
They cannot even come onto shows and promote their upcoming projects or movies that have already been released.
This situation means that Barrymore may not have actors on her show to give her the scoop on their latest projects. However, the rules also state that actors can appear on talk shows. Since they operate under the Network Television Code, they cannot promote anything current.
While it is true that Barrymore’s show is more focused on showcasing “real people,” it doesn’t leave much room for variety.
Despite The Ongoing Writer’s Strike, Barrymore Employs Union Writers
Most daytime talk shows do not utilize union writers, leaving them free to proceed when there are strikes. The Drew Barrymore show is a rare exception.
The show employs union writers but is technically not under the same contract as the striking writers. Still, any “struck” show that returns or is in production will be picketed.
The show is returning to the air without its writers. “I own this choice,” Barrymore remarked. Needless to say, The Guild is not too happy with Barrymore right now.
Meanwhile, Barrymore is being called a “scab.” This means that she is basically saying, “The show must go on” without their union writers. Supposedly implying that the writers are not a valuable part of the show and they can do it without them.
Not to mention, it weakens the union when shows submit to “scabbing.” It goes against what the writers are trying to accomplish.
Social media did not take the news kindly. Barrymore was said to be wealthy enough to employ her union writers amid the strike.
The Writer’s Guild plans to picket the show while in progress this week.
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