Last week, Jennifer Hudson joined a list of celebrities facing significant backlash after announcing the return of her eponymous talk show in the midst of the ongoing writers’ strike in Hollywood.
As many are already aware, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) initiated a strike in May of this year, leaving writers in the TV and movie industry without work until an agreement is reached with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. This strike primarily revolves around issues such as fair compensation, resulting in numerous shows going on an indefinite hiatus.
However, last week marked a turning point when several talk show hosts, including Drew Barrymore, Bill Maher, and Jennifer Hudson, declared their intentions to revive their shows.
In a statement that has since been removed from her Instagram page, Drew Barrymore, who had been a vocal supporter of the strikes, tried to clarify her decision to bring her show back. She wrote, “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 resolution 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.”
Drew’s decision was met with strong criticism, not only from her fans but also from the WGA itself. The WGA tweeted, “The @DrewBarrymoreTV show is a WGA-covered, struck show that is planning to return without its writers. The Guild has, and will continue to, picket struck shows that are in production during the strike. Any writing on The Drew Barrymore Show is in violation of WGA strike rules.”
The decision by these talk show hosts to resume their programs in the midst of the writers’ strike has ignited a passionate debate within the entertainment industry and beyond, as questions about fair compensation and solidarity with striking writers continue to loom large.