Viewers of The Drew Barrymore Show were “verbally attacked” and kicked out because of writers’ strikes
The writers’ strike won over a viewer who was previously a fan of Drew Barrymore.
After the Emmy-nominated actress decided to continue production on her syndicated series “The Drew Barrymore Show” in preparation for its return on September 18, members of the Writers Guild of America began picketing outside the studio.
On his way to a taping of the show on Monday, audience member Dominic Turiczek met the picket lines and accepted a pin that read “Writers Guild On Strike.” In one post on Twitter (renamed X), Turiczek alleged mistreatment by the crew. He also posted two photos: one wearing the pin and another wearing a Strike T-shirt, in which he is frowning and giving a thumbs-down, next to the ticket holders’ sign that reads “Drew Barrymore Show.”
“Went to @DrewBarrymoreTV after winning tickets not knowing about the #WGA strike,” he wrote. “We took pins and went in, got thrown out and verbally attacked by @DrewBarrymore’s crew. It is clear that they do not support #WGAStrong, neither authors nor fans! #DrewTheRightThing So we took t-shirts and joined. Fuck it all.”
Barrymore’s decision to resume filming has caused ambivalence within the industry. Although the show meets WGA guidelines by not writing any material and Barrymore essentially doing her own riff, the show is still considered canceled. The move contradicts their brand and previous actions. In May, Barrymore stepped down from hosting the MTV Movie Awards in solidarity with the strike. (The salon’s unionized employees are represented by the WGA East.)
