‘Drew Barrymore Show’ Audience Members Claim They Were “Kicked out” of Taping and “Verbally Assaulted” for Wearing WGA Pins

By Samantha Nungesser @samjnungesser
Published Sep. 11, 2023
Updated Sep. 11, 2023

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The Drew Barrymore Show is best known for its up-close and personal interview style, kooky segments and Drew Barrymore‘s purely wholesome attitude toward life. However, some fans allegedly experienced something far different as they claimed they were kicked out of today’s Season 4 premiere taping for wearing pins in support of the ongoing WGA strike.

Over the last couple of days, Barrymore and the show — which uses writers from the union — have garnered backlash for continuing production amid the Hollywood strikes. Despite promising that she is in full compliance with the rules set forth by both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, Barrymore is being labeled as a “scab” for seemingly crossing the picket line. As a result, the WGA took to protesting outside the CBS studio earlier today.

“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,” Barrymore wrote in an Instagram post. “I hope for a resolve 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.”

But according to two New York City-based fans who attempted to join this morning’s audience, they were allegedly turned away by the crew after being handed pins outside the taping that read, “Writers Guild on Strike.”

One wrote, “Went to @DrewBarrymoreTV after winning tickets, unaware of the #WGA strike. We took pins & went in, got kicked out, & verbally assaulted by @DrewBarrymore’s crew. It’s clear they don’t support #WGAStrong, writers or fans! #DrewTheRightThing So we took shirts and joined. Fuck that.”

Another alleged, “Literally just got kicked out of The Drew Barrymore Show bc we were handed pins from the writers’ strike. We offered to put them away and some bald bozo said we weren’t allowed in sooo we joined the strike!” before adding, “This has put the worst taste in my mouth over @DrewBarrymore and I used to ADORE her.”

In response to their claims, one X user posted, “If these kinds of reports are true, the Drew Barrymore show crossing picket lines & then ejecting audience members for wearing WGA pins is deeply concerning. Actions like this don’t just challenge union rights but signify a disturbing anti-union stance.”

A spokesperson for The Drew Barrymore Show told Variety that Barrymore was “completely unaware” that both audience members were booted.

“It is our policy to welcome everyone to our show tapings,” the spokesperson said. “Due to heightened security concerns today, we regret that two audience members were not permitted to attend or were not allowed access. Drew was completely unaware of the incident and we are in the process of reaching out to the affected audience members to offer them new tickets.”

Meanwhile, three writers from The Drew Barrymore Show joined the protest as they set up a coffee cart outside of CBS.

“I think in general, this is obviously bigger than us three writers on The Drew Barrymore Show,” Chelsea White, who is one of the writers on the show, told The Hollywood Reporter. “It is a bummer to hear that the show is going back because it sends a message that union writers are not valuable. And it goes directly against what the WGA, SAG-AFTRA, all the unions are trying to band together to stand up against the greedy studios.”

The WGA East further posted their own statement on the matter.

“@DrewBarrymoreTV Show is a WGA covered, struck show that is planning to return without its writers,” they wrote. “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 Drew Barrymore Show Season 4 is set to premiere on Monday, Sept. 18.