News
By: Knowlagey Team
September 17, 2023
The controversy surrounding Drew Barrymore's return to her daytime talk show amid the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes takes a new turn as she removes an emotional apology video from her social media. Meanwhile, the anticipated meeting with showrunners gets canceled, raising questions about the future of her show.
Drew Barrymore faced backlash when she announced the return of her talk show during the ongoing industry strikes. Her second video message, aimed at addressing concerns, had the opposite effect, intensifying criticism rather than calming it.
Lost in the debate is the unique nature of syndicated TV shows. Unlike network shows with permanent time slots, nationally syndicated daytime talk shows, such as "The Drew Barrymore Show," have contractual obligations to deliver episodes to over 200 local stations each season.
Returning to production during strikes is a business decision. These shows have commitments to local stations and advertisers who expect original content. Delaying premieres or reducing the number of episodes can have serious consequences.
The talk show landscape is changing, with streaming gaining more viewers. Original talk shows like Barrymore's are costly productions in an era of declining daytime viewership. Repeat episodes of older shows are more common and financially viable.
Writers are fighting for better wages and working conditions in the strike that has lasted over four months. While some argue that certain talk shows are heavily unscripted, the WGA maintains that all work on talk shows requires writers, causing confusion and debate.
The future of national syndication hangs in the balance as talk shows navigate the strike. With no clear resolution in sight, the decision to return without writers raises questions about the industry's future.