Drew Barrymore defends talk show’s return during Hollywood strikes

Drew Barrymore is defending her decision to launch a new season of her syndicated daytime show amid the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

The “Blended” actress, 48, took to Instagram Sunday to make it clear to viewers that she “owns this choice” to premiere Season 4 of “The Drew Barrymore Show” on Sept. 18.

She began the statement by explaining more about her decision to walk away as host of the MTV Movie & TV Awards in May, days after the WGA strike began, as it was in “direct conflict with what the strike was dealing with which was studios, streamers, film, and television.”

“I am also making the choice to come back for the first time in this strike for our show, that may have my name on it but this is bigger than just me,” she wrote. “I own this choice.”

Her message continued, “We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind. We launched live in a global pandemic. Our show was built for sensitive times and has only functioned through what the real world is going through in real time.”

She added: “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 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.”

Barrymore’s reps told The Post on Sunday that she has no further comment.

The show is produced and distributed by CBS Media Ventures and shot at the CBS Broadcast Center in Midtown.

A CBS Media Ventures spokesperson told The Post that, “The Drew Barrymore Show will not be performing any writing work covered by the WGA strike.”

“I am so excited to see what Drew has in store for season four,” Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures, said in a statement shared with The Post.

“From launching during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic to successfully pivoting to a groundbreaking half-hour format, this show has demonstrated spectacular resilience and creative agility on its journey to becoming the fastest-growing show in daytime. We couldn’t have a better partner in Drew Barrymore and look forward to bringing our fans and station clients alike new episodes this fall,” she added.

When reached by The Post, the WGA shared a statement shared on its social media.

“The @DrewBarrymoreTV Show is a WGA covered, struck show that is planning to return without its writers,” the Writers Guild of America, East tweeted Sunday.

“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 WGA East is planning to picket outside the CBS Broadcast Center Monday and Tuesday.

In her statement, Barrymore noted her show wrapped for the summer on April 20, before the strikes began.

Since May 2, Hollywood writers have been striking for higher wages, regulation surrounding artificial intelligence, and better pay from streaming services. The SAG-AFTRA strike began in July.

The guest lineup for Barrymore’s show has not yet been announced — but according to strike guidelines, union members are prohibited from participating in interviews for completed work and making personal appearances.

New seasons of “The View,” “Tamron Hall,” and “Live with Kelly and Mark” also premiered this month.

Barrymore’s show debuted in September 2020 at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

It delivered “record growth” last season, according to Deadline, which reported a 65% increase in total viewers year to year, making it the fastest growing talk show on television.

The new season of “Jeopardy!,” meanwhile, will premiere Monday. Producers announced last month that Season 40 will proceed a bit differently than usual.

On the “Inside Jeopardy!” podcast, “Jeopardy!” showrunner Michael Davies revealed that the long-running quiz show will use recycled material and feature former contestants because of the strike.

“The material that we’re gonna be using is a combination of material that our WGA writers wrote before the strike, which is still in the database and material that is being redeployed from multiple, multiple seasons of the show,” Davies said.