Drew Barrymore is preparing to return to her talk show after backlash related to the strike.
Following news that the Screenwriters Guild of America (WGA) and the Guild of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have reached a tentative agreement, ending the ongoing strike, PEOPLE has learned that Barrymore’s series is hoping to return in October.
The return of Barrymore’s daytime series comes just two weeks after she came under fire for announcing she was continuing production amid the then-ongoing writers’ strike. Barrymore, 48, previously said on Instagram that her show was “consistent with not discussing or promoting film and television that has been attacked in any way.”
“I own this choice,” she affirmed.
“I want to be there to provide what writers do so well, which is a way to bring us together or help us understand the human experience,” she explained. “I’m hoping for a resolution to everything as soon as possible. We’ve weathered some tough times since we first hit the airwaves. And so I’m stepping forward to restart Season 4 with a shrewd humility.”
Drew Barrymore has removed an apology video that criticized her continuing her talk show amid strikes
Drew Barrymore attends the 2023 Time100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 26, 2023 in New York City.
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
However, amid calls to overturn the decision due to concerns that the return was against strike rules, production was put on hold.
“I have listened to everything and I am making the decision to pause the premiere until the strike is over,” Barrymore wrote in her statement.
“I have no words to express my deepest apologies to everyone I’ve hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who work on the show and made it what it is today,” she continued. “We’ve really tried to find a way forward. And I sincerely hope we’ll come to an industry-wide solution soon.”
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Barrymore’s daytime series was not the only series to experience strike-related setbacks. Conversation experienced backlash for planning an early return in the middle of a strike, resulting in a possible pause in production. Jennifer Hudson also postponed the premiere of her play.
On the other side, View continued without writers. And Sherri Shepherd decided to go ahead with plans to return her show, but a diagnosis of COVID-19 led to a brief hiatus in production, with the show returning less than a week later on Monday.
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Source: HIS Education