Posted in: CBS, streaming, TV | Tagged: cbs, drew barrymore, national book foundation, SAG-AFTRA, wga

Drew Barrymore Loses Hosting Gig Over Talk Show/WGA Strike Decision

In response to her restarting her talk show, Drew Barrymore is no longer hosting the National Book Foundation's 2023 National Book Awards.

Actress & talk show host Drew Barrymore is facing more than just picket lines from the WGA and serious pushback on social media from a number of folks in the entertainment industry over her decision to resume tapings of The Drew Barrymore Show this week. The National Book Foundation took to social media to announce that it had rescinded its invitation for Barrymore to host the upcoming 2023 National Book Awards, set for November 15th. "The National Book Awards is an evening dedicated to celebrating the power of literature and the incomparable contributions of writers to our culture. In light of the announcement that 'The Drew Barrymore Show' will resume production, the National Book Foundation has rescinded Ms. Barrymore's invitation to host the 74th National Book Awards Ceremony," read the statement. "Our commitment is to ensure that the focus of the Awards remains on celebrating writers and books, and we are grateful to Ms. Barrymore and her team for their understanding in this situation." The National Book Foundation initially announced that Barrymore would host back in July; a replacement host hasn't been announced yet.

Here's a look at the announcement from the National Book Foundation that went out earlier today rescinding their offer to Barrymore to host the 2023 National Book Awards:

The Drew Barrymore Show Faces WGA East Picket Lines & More

The WGA kept its word earlier today – picketing outside the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City in an effort to keep folks from crossing the picket line to join the tapings (check out the video below). And things reportedly got interesting inside of the tapings, too. Cassidy Carter and Dominic Turiczek spoke with Deadline Hollywood (check out the video below), claiming that they were removed from the studio audience for wearing buttons that supported the WGA strike – even after reportedly offering to remove them. In a statement to Variety, a spokesperson for the talk show had this to say on the matter: "It is our policy to welcome everyone to our show tapings. Due to heightened security concerns today, we regret that two audience members were not permitted to attend or were not allowed access. Drew was completely unaware of the incident, and we are in the process of reaching out to the affected audience members to offer them new tickets."

Drew Barrymore Explains Bringing Back Talk Show Amid WGA Strike

"I made a choice to walk away from the MTV, film, and television awards because I was the host, and it had a direct conflict with what the strike was dealing with, which was studios, streamers, film, and television. It was also in the first week of the strike, and so I did what I thought was the appropriate thing at the time to stand in solidarity with the writers. And to be clear, our talk show actually wrapped on April 20th, so we never had to shut down the show. However, I am also making the choice to come back for the first time in this strike for our show that may have my name on it, but this is bigger than just me," Barrymore wrote in her explanation for bringing the show back on the air that went live on Sunday, looking to explain her decision to step away from hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards back in May and contrast it with her decision now.

Barrymore continued, "I own this choice. We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind. We launched live in a global pandemic. Our show was built for sensitive times and has only functioned through what the real world is going through in real-time. I want to be there to provide what writers do so well, which is a way to bring us together or help us make sense of the human experience. I hope for a resolve for everyone as soon as possible. We have navigated difficult times since we first came on air. And so I take a step forward to start season 4 once again with an astute humility." Here's a look at Barrymore's Instagram post from earlier today announcing that her talk show will return on Monday, September 18:

Here's a look back at the response from the Writers Guild of America East regarding the matter:

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