Drew Barrymore — once known as America’s Sweetheart — has come under fire over the last week for resuming production on The Drew Barrymore Show amid the ongoing WGA strike. Now, one of her writers is speaking out against the controversial decision.
Cristina Kinon — the co-head writer of The Drew Barrymore Show and one of three WGA members on the staff — recently told The Daily Beast that she was “really proud” of Barrymore’s previous decision to step down from hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards to stand in solidarity for the writers.
However, she noted that she was surprised to hear that cameras would pick back up for Season 4 of Barrymore’s show, which is set to premiere on Monday, Sept. 18. Until now, The View was the only WGA-supported show that forged on amid the strike, which first began in early May.
“I personally understand that everybody has to make the best decision for themselves,” Kinon told The Daily Beast. “I know that this show has a crew of hundreds of people who need to be paid, and I understand the perspective of wanting to protect your cast, your crew, and your staff.”
Referring to recent reports that shows like The Talk and Sherri will also return, she added, “Now, there’s word that maybe some other shows are coming back. So it is frustrating, because it will prolong the strike, and we just want it to end.”
SAG-AFTRA — the other Hollywood union on strike — said in a statement that Barrymore is not in violation of the strike’s rules. Barrymore herself also promised the show is “in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind.” Still, Kinon felt as though Barrymore’s return is in conflict with the fight against major studios and streamers.
“We’re standing with all of labor and all of the unions across the world, because that is how it works,” she said. “Unions only work when you stick together with unions across the labor spectrum.”
According to Kinon, writing for a daytime television show is not much different than writing for film and television.
“I don’t see how what I do is different from writing for a scripted show, or writing feature films—which I also do,” Kinon said. “We’re all trying to make a career out of writing, and the AMPTP is trying to slowly chip away at that. And they wouldn’t have anything without writers; writers are the seed of all of creation.”
The writer declared that she “would love to see the show stand in solidarity with us, and it’s not too late,” before adding that she hopes other shows planning to return amid the strike will reconsider “where they stand and stand in solidarity with the WGA.”
