Sherri Shepherd Explains Why ‘Sherri’ Is Still in Production Despite Backlash over Daytime Shows amid Strikes

Sherri Shepherd clears things up.

During the second season premiere on Monday, Sherri host reaffirmed her support for the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA unions and admitted to “confusion” over why her talk show is continuing production amid ongoing strikes.

“This summer, you all may have seen your favorite actors and Hollywood stars protesting the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes,” she began. “There was so much confusion about who could work and who couldn’t.”

See all the smart signs of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike lines

Shepherd, 56, pointed out that she is a member of SAG herself, noting that she was on the picket line with Viola Davis, Niecy Nash and others. She then explained that talk shows that do not employ WGA writers fall under “another code of union contract.”

“Here’s the thing, talk shows generally fall under a different code of union contracts, so we’re allowed to come back unless you’re a WGA show,” she said. “The Sherri show is not a WGA show and we have never employed WGA writers, so our return to work is not crossing the line.”

The host added: “Ace comic, my comedic take on the headlines is my voice. I write jokes. I’m a writer… producers help me shape the words. That’s why we don’t have WGA writers.”

Sherri Shepherd attends SiriusXM Town Hall hosted by SiriusXM’s Bevy Smith on September 16, 2022 in New York City. Noam Galai/Getty Sherri Shepherd celebrates sending off son Jeffrey Jr. to the high school graduation party: ‘I think I did well!’

Shepherd reiterated her support for SAG-AFTRA. She specifically expressed support for their request for higher residuals in the streaming era, noting that the residuals helped her care for her son, Jeffrey Jr. when he was born prematurely.

“I stand in solidarity with my union,” she continued. “One of the things we’re fighting for is better residuals. … Residuals when I wasn’t working turned the lights on. My residual payments helped me take care of Jeffrey when he was born at 25 weeks. So good residual payments are important to actors .”

Sherri Shepherd attends Vulture Festival 2021 at The Hollywood Roosevelt on November 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. David Livingston/Getty

She also addressed the “big sticking point” of artificial intelligence (AI) – which both actors and writers are trying to limit – joking that AI “can’t replace all this sass”.

She summed up: “My heart breaks for all the people who can’t work right now and I hope our industry can resolve this strike soon.”

‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ pauses production after negative response amid Hollywood strikes

Shepherd’s comments come as many talk shows must decide whether to continue production amid strikes.

Drew Barrymore, 48, initially announced plans to continue working The Drew Barrymore Show early last week, only to receive swift criticism for the choice.

Drew Barrymore attends the 2023 Time100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 26, 2023 in New York City.

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Barrymore appeared to double down on her decision late last week with a since-deleted apology video on Instagram in which she addressed the backlash and called the situation “complex.”

The actress and presenter finally announced on Saturday that she would pause the production after all.

“I listened to everything and I am making the decision to pause the prime minister until the strike is over,” she wrote on Instagram. “I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I’ve hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who work on the show and have made it what it is today. We’ve really tried to find a way forward.”

“I really hope for an industry-wide solution very soon,” she concluded.

‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’ delays premiere due to ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes

The WGA has been on strike since May 2 after negotiations with the Union of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to result in an agreed-upon contract before the previous one expired. Writers are demanding higher pay, minimum staffing requirements, streaming residuals and regulation of artificial intelligence, among other things.

SAG-AFTRA, led by President Fran Drescher, also went on strike on July 14. Actors are demanding higher wages, streaming royalties and protection from artificial intelligence. This is the first double strike since 1960.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Sherri airs weekdays on Fox (check local listings).

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education