Drew Barrymore.Photo:Taylor Hill/WireImage
Taylor Hill/WireImage
Drew Barrymorewill no longer host the2023 National Book Awardsafter her daytime talk show resumed filming during the Writers Guild of America (WGA) andSAG-AFTRA strikeson Monday.
TheNational Book Foundationconfirmed in a statement on Tuesday that Barrymore’s invitation to host the ceremony was “rescinded.” The event is scheduled for Nov. 15 in New York.
“The National Book Award is an evening dedicated to celebrating the power of literature, and the incomparable contributions of writers to our culture,” the foundation’s statement,published on X(formerly known as Twitter), reads. “In light of the announcement thatThe Drew Barrymore Showwill resume production, the National Book Foundation has rescinded Ms. Barrymore’s invitation to host the 74th National Book Awards Ceremony.”
The statement continued, “Our commitment is to ensure that the focus of the awards remains on celebrating writers and books, and we are grateful to Ms. Barrymore and her team for their understanding in this situation.”
Members of the WGA-EAST and SAG-AFTRA picket outside of ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ on Tuesday.Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty
Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty
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Barrymore, 48, waschosen to host the ceremony in July.Oprah Winfreywas invited to speak as a special guest.
“I own this choice,” Barrymore wrote in the social media post. “We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind."
“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,” the post continued.
Barrymore went on to write that she wants “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,” adding, “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.”
The Writers Guild of America, Eastwrote on XthatThe Drew Barrymore Showis “struck” and that any writing on the show would be “in violation of WGA strike rules.”
When filming resumed on Monday, there was a picket line outside the studio. An audience member alsoshared on Xthat he and another audience member wearing pins and T-shirts to show support for the WGA were kicked out of the studio.
A representative forThe Drew Barrymore Showacknowledged the incident in a statement to PEOPLE andexpressed “regret” with the situation.
“It is our policy to welcome everyone to our show tapings,” the spokesperson said. “Due to heightened security concerns today, we regret that two audience members were not permitted to attend or were not allowed access. Drew was completely unaware of the incident and we are in the process of reaching out to the affected audience members to offer them new tickets.”
Drew Barrymore.Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
The WGA — which represents over 1,000 writers in television, film, news and online media —began its strike after negotiationswith the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for better pay, increased residuals and limits on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) failed. The Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)began their own strike in July.
The Drew Barrymore Showis set to return on air Sept. 18.
source: people.com
