Barrymore (along with those involved with other WGA-covered shows that had planned to return last month despite the strike) received extensive backlash for her decision, with the controversy dominating the strike news cycle for days.
In an Instagram post published on September 10, the host attempted to defend her decision to resume production without the syndicated, CBS Media Ventures-produced and -distributed show’s three striking writers. As a result, she quickly became a target, including from picketers outside of her New York City studio as she attempted to resume production.
She doubled down on the return a few days later with a deleted video. On September 17, she decided to delay the return of the program until the conclusion of the writers’ strike.
Barrymore wrote in an Instagram post, “I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team.” We endeavored to find a way forward, and I sincerely hope that the entire industry will shortly reach a resolution.
Other programs that employ WGA writers and had planned to return on September 18 have also pushed back their premiere dates, including The Talk and The Jennifer Hudson Show.
The strike ended on September 26 after the Writers Guild of America reached a provisional agreement with the AMPTP group of studios and streaming services.
Now, these daytime talk programs, many of which rely on celebrity guests, are also announcing new return dates, which is good news for broadcast networks starved for new content during the Hollywood strikes.
The Talk announced its resumption date of October 9 earlier this week, while The Jennifer Hudson Show returned on October 2.
Also on Wednesday morning, Kelly Clarkson announced that her daytime talk program, The Kelly Clarkson program, which employs WGA writers, will return on October 16 from its new New York City location.
The fifth season of Clarkson’s show will be taped at NBC Studios’ Studio 6A in New York, with taping scheduled to commence one week prior to the Oct. 10 premiere. Studio 6A formerly housed the Late Night programs of David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, and Jimmy Fallon.
As she was in the midst of moving production from Los Angeles to New York, Clarkson had not previously announced a return date for her show.
Clarkson exclaimed, “I’m so excited to begin our fifth season at the iconic 30 Rock.” “Filming in New York City is accompanied by such a unique energy and creative enthusiasm. Are you ready?”
NBCUniversal Entertainment executive vp, syndication studios and E! News, Tracie Wilson, added in a statement: “We launched the past two season premieres in New York with great success. When the opportunity to bring the show under the same roof as Today, [Late Night host] Seth [Meyers], Jimmy and SNL presented itself, we felt it was the perfect way to re-energize the show going into the fifth season.”
