Drew Barrymore Pauses Production of Talk Show Until End of Strike After Facing Backlash

Drew Barrymore‘s loveable reputation took a hit in a matter of days after she said that her daytime talk show would continue production despite the ongoing writers and actor strikes. Several celebrities, writers, and fans criticized the actor and host for turning her back on the labor union’s efforts, and after endless backlash, Barrymore ultimately decided to pause The Drew Barrymore Show.

In an Instagram post on Sunday, Barrymore walked back her original announcement made last week to continue taping her CBS show. In a simple text-on-screen post, Barrymore wrote that she “listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over.”

“I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today,” Barrymore continued. “We really tried to find our way forward. And I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon.”

The Drew Barrymore Show resumed taping on Monday while picketers demonstrated outside of the New York City studios, prompting Barrymore to post a since-deleted video on Friday defending the decision. The Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) condemned Barrymore’s choice, writing in a social media post that her 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,” the statement continued. “Any writing on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ is in violation of WGA strike rules.”

Barrymore received an onslaught of scrutiny after returning to production, with writers and supporters urging her to change her mind and stand with the unions. Many people referred to her as a “scab,” which is a worker who crosses a picket line in violation of a planned work stoppage or strike.

The comments under Sunday’s post rang a different tune than they did last week, with writers and actors including Alyssa Milano, Kal Penn, Jenny Yang, and more thanking her for changing her mind. The WGA East account also wrote, “Thank you Drew” with the fist-up emoji.