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Talk Show Hosts Who Paused Their On-Air Returns After Facing Backlash Amid the WGA Strike

By:
September 18, 2023 4:25PM EDT
Drew Barrymore Jennifer Hudson
Jeremy Smith/imageSPACE/Shutterstock / AFF-USA/Shutterstock

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) commenced its strike on May 2, and union members are still picketing. However, that didn’t stop several talk shows from coming back on the air without their writers.

Though several show hosts have explained that their return doesn’t break the rules of the WGA strike, celebrities such as Drew Barrymore, are facing backlash. Several are being called “scabs” — a.k.a. strikebreakers.

“I own this choice,” Drew wrote in a lengthy Instagram statement on September 11, announcing The Drew Barrymore Show’s return. “We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind. … 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.”

However, Drew and several other talk show hosts announced that they would pause their returns after facing extensive backlash.

Scroll through the gallery to see which talk show hosts suspended their on-air returns amid the strike.

1 of 4

‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’

‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’
Shutterstock

The Jennifer Hudson Show’s official Instagram account confirmed that it would air on September 18, which multiple commenters criticized. 

[Is] the strike over?” one person asked, to which one responded, “Nope. She’s just a SCAB,” and another added, “Nope! She’s crossing picket lines.” 

However, the show delayed its return date, according to Variety.  

September 14, 2023, 2:09PM
2 of 4

‘Real Time With Bill Maher’

‘Real Time With Bill Maher’
Shutterstock

After the comedian announced his show, Real Time With Bill Maher, would return to HBO, political commentator Keith Olbermann didn’t mince words when blasting Bill on social media. 

“Without writers, the new weekly SCAB edition of Real Time With Bill Maher will be 83 seconds long,” Keith tweeted. “As somebody who’s known you since 1978: F—k you, Bill, you selfish and unfunny scumbag.”  

The following week, Bill announced he was halting the start of his show by taking to X (previously known as Twitter). 

“My decision to return to work was made when it seemed nothing was happening and there was no end in sight to this strike,” Bill tweeted. “Now that both sides have agreed to go back to the negotiating table, I’m going to delay the return of Real Time, for now, and hope they can finally get this done.” 

September 14, 2023, 2:10PM
3 of 4

‘The Talk’

‘The Talk’
MediaPunch/Shutterstock

The Talk is reportedly resuming, and Instagram users commented on several of the show’s account’s posts. 

“Don’t resume the show until the strike is officially over or else you’ll be on the scab list!” one person wrote. “We will never watch your show again if you cross the picket lines!!” another chimed in. 

The show, however, rescinded its decision and announced that it would not return to the small screen yet. 

September 14, 2023, 2:12PM
4 of 4

‘The Drew Barrymore Show’

‘The Drew Barrymore Show’
Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Shortly after Drew announced her return to TV, countless members of Hollywood slammed her in public statements. Television personality Felicia Day tweeted, “Sooo who is writing her opening monologue and literally everything else on this show when it starts up again next week? Scab writers?! Ughhhh gross Drew Barrymore. Gross.”

Writer and comic Adam Conover also weighed in by tweeting, “This is incredibly disappointing. Drew Barrymore’s show employs WGA writers who are currently on strike. She is choosing to go back on the air without them and forcing her guests to cross a picket line. Drew: This harms your writers and all union workers. Please reconsider.”

Additionally, Drew was removed as the host of the National Book Awards because of her choice to return to TV. 

Days after she apologized in a since-deleted Instagram video for her decision, Drew announced she “listened” to the criticism and chose to pause her show’s return. 

“I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over,” Drew wrote via Instagram. “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. We really tried to find our way forward. And I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon.” 

September 14, 2023, 2:16PM