Things Keep Getting Worse For Drew Barrymore

By Andrew Sanford | TV | September 13, 2023 |

By Andrew Sanford | TV | September 13, 2023 |

My kids are two and a half. They are entering the point where the littlest things will upset them. Still, I have to let them make their own mistakes. They don’t know any better, and allowing them to make mistakes is, sometimes, the only way they’ll learn. This morning, one of my sons was playing with a felt jack-o-lantern he had made (we’re big into spooky season over here). He then ripped the pumpkin’s mouth off and attempted to put it back on. Unfortunately, it can’t be put back together that easily.

He was distraught. He took this thing he had made, that he loved, and damaged it beyond repair. But he’s two. He may have learned not to break that particular toy anymore, but he doesn’t need to spend the morning upset. So, I fixed the toy for him with a dab of glue. I was happy to do it. He doesn’t know any better. He’s learning! If he, for instance, had been making jack-o-lanterns for over forty years, had begun employing people who make parts for the jack-o-lanterns, and learned the ins and outs of the jack-o-lantern-making business, I’d be less sympathetic.

If you don’t know what you’re doing or are a toddler, people are more apt to forgive you when you make mistakes. If you are the 48-year-old actor and host Drew Barrymore, people are less forgiving. Barrymore recently invoked the wrath and ire of a myriad of people for putting her show back into production while the AMPTP still refuses to pay WGA or SAG members fairly. There has been no deal struck. Barrymore’s show employs WGA writers. So, this is scabbing; No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Since I wrote about this on Monday, Barrymore and her crew made things worse. Audience members who attended the recording of her show that day with WGA buttons on were kicked out. Then, according to WGA East council member Greg Iwinski, audience members’ bags were searched, and WGA buttons were confiscated.

Mon: 2 @DrewBarrymore audience members were kicked out for wearing WGA buttons.

A show spokesperson expressed “regret” over the incident.

Tues: audiences leaving the Drew taping told us their bags and purses were searched by security, all WGA buttons were confiscated.

Cool.

— Greg Iwinski (@garyJackson) September 12, 2023

As if Barrymore didn’t look bad enough, the National Book Foundation has now decided to rescind their offer to have her host the 74th Annual National Book Awards ceremony. It’s a big blow to Barrymore. The court of public opinion has almost entirely turned against her. If you search the corners of the internet, you can find someone to defend anything. Still, people generally seem turned off by this situation (though I’m sure someone will tell me otherwise in the comments).

An update on the host of the 2023 National Book Awards. pic.twitter.com/aa5aLh0FIU

— National Book Foundation (@nationalbook) September 12, 2023

In general, it feels like people aren’t going to let this pass. Not only has Barrymore painted herself as an open and caring personality, but she knows better! She’s been in this business for most of her life and has seen it at its best and worst. She has lived through strikes and knows what it takes to combat studio greed. Even with all of that knowledge and experience, she ripped the mouth off of that jack-o-lantern without giving it a second thought, and no one is in a rush to help her put it back together.