Drew Barrymore criticised for bringing back talk show without writers ...

Actor Drew Barrymore has defended bringing back her talk show amid ongoing Hollywood strikes. 

Key points:Drew Barrymore say her talk show will be returning in accordance with the rules of SAG-AFTRA strikesThe Writers Guild of America says the show is "struck" and plans to protest its returnStriking writers say the announcement is "incredibly disappointing"

Barrymore hosts The Drew Barrymore Show on CBS and announced on Monday the show was returning for its fourth season. 

In an Instagram post, Barrymore said the show would return in accordance with the rules of SAG-AFTRA strikes.

"I own this choice," she wrote. 

"We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind."

But the Writers Guild of America (WGA) said the show itself was "struck", and that it planned to picket tapings of the show, criticising its "violation of WGA strike rules". 

A struck production means union members are prohibited from performing labour for the show while the strike is ongoing. 

Various media outlets confirmed the show will be produced for the first time without literary material, similar to talk shows like The View. 

"The Drew Barrymore Show will not be performing any writing work covered by the WGA strike," a CBS Media Ventures spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter. 

'We have navigated difficult times'

In her lengthy post, Barrymore noted how she had previously walked away from hosting the 2023 MTV Movie and TV Awards because she supported strikers. 

The talk show host added the third season of the show had wrapped on April 20, and avoided strike action so far. 

"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," Barrymore said. 

The show, which was launched in the COVID-19 pandemic, was "built for sensitive times" Barrymore added. 

Barrymore said the decision to bring back the talk show was "bigger than just me". (Reuters: Andrew Kelly)

"We have navigated difficult times since we first came on air," she wrote. 

"And so I take a step forward to start season 4 once again with an astute humility." 

Fellow actors criticise return to TV

Following the announcement, actors and writers alike condemned Barrymore for the choice. 

The West Wing's Josh Malina posted a picture of Barrymore alongside the word "scab" on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. 

The term is an insult for those who leave or decline to join a union, freeing them to work during a strike. 

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend actor Benjamin Siemon said Barrymore was "making a mistake" and questioned who she would interview, given the SAG-AFTRA rules.

Adam Ruins Everything creator Adam Conover said the news was "incredibly disappointing".

"Drew: This harms your writers and all union workers. Please reconsider," he wrote on X.

Unlike other television shows, daytime TV has avoided strikes interfering with production, because most do not rely on writers who are part of the Writers Guild union. 

The two exceptions were Barrymore's show and The Talk, which continues to air re-runs like late-night talk shows. 

The program could also face difficulty finding talent as striking actors are unable to promote new works, per the SAG-AFTRA rules.