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"I stand behind this decision": US actress Drew Barrymore continues her talk show

Photo: Kevin Wolf / AP

In light of the announcement that The Drew Barrymore Show will resume production despite the current writers' strike, the National Book Foundation has withdrawn Drew Barrymore's invitation to host the 74th awards ceremony. The National Book Awards are an evening that celebrates the power of literature and the unparalleled contributions of writers to our culture," the National Book Foundation, which awards the prize, said in a statement. The awards ceremony, sometimes referred to as the Oscars of the American publishing world, is scheduled for November 15.

Drew Barrymore's decision to resume production for her talk show has drawn harsh criticism. For months, members of the Writers Guild of American West (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have been on strike in Hollywood. The double strike has largely paralyzed the film and series industry in Hollywood. The studios have pushed back the release dates of new series and theatrical releases of films, in some cases by years, or canceled them altogether.

"I stand behind this decision"

Most of the talk shows have interrupted their production in solidarity with the strikes of the actors and writers. Five late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert have launched a podcast to support their striking employees.

Barrymore justified herself in an Instagram post, writing that she was "making the decision to come back for the first time in this strike for our show, which may bear my name, but it's about more than just me."

"I stand behind this decision," the 48-year-old wrote. However, she said she would stick to not discussing or promoting any films or TV shows that are on strike. On the CBS talk show, Barrymore has been talking to celebrities about love and relationships since 2020.

Daytime talk shows are subject to different rules during the scriptwriters' and actors' strike because they are based on different contracts. For this reason, the resumption of their CBS talk show is not a direct violation in the double strike. However, Barrymore's show employs at least three writers who are members of the WGA writers' association. These writers went on strike Monday in front of the CBS broadcast building.

"The only ones I know for sure won't return are the three WGA writers. I can't really speak for the rest," said Chelsea White, one of the show's writers, on the sidelines of the strike. I think this is obviously about more than just the Drew Barrymore Show and the writers. We're out here and we stand by our union."

The more than 11,000 screenwriters of the Writers Guild have been on strike since the beginning of May. Among other things, they are calling for better remuneration and rules for the use of artificial intelligence. There are no signs that the strike will end soon.

The fourth season of the "Drew Barrymore Show" is scheduled to go on air on September 18.

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