Rosie O’Donnell slammed Drew Barrymore after she announced her talk show would be returning as the Writers Guild of America remains on strike.
In an Instagram post Saturday, the “A League of Their Own” star shared “advice” from an essay by Elizabeth Grey, for the “Charlie’s Angel” actress that she should follow regarding the return of “The Drew Barrymore Show.”
“Stop taping the show. Stop asking audiences to cross the picket line,” O’Donnell, 61, wrote, quoting Grey. “Then ask someone to help you craft three declarative sentences.
“They should follow along these lines: I made an error. I apologize to the WGA for disrespecting the work of professional writers. I apologize to all union members who are withstanding real hardship as I live a life of luxury.”
Several stars sided with O’Donnell on the matter, including “Charmed” alum Alyssa Milano, who wrote, “Not complicated at all.”
“American Horror Story” actor Cheyenne Jackson added, “Yes,” while “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” star Karan Ashley added, “So disappointing in her. People are literally struggling.”
Comedian Alec Mapa commented, “Easy peasy. Don’t continue to punch me in the face after you apologized for punching me in the face.”
Last week, Barrymore, 48, announced that her eponymous talk show would be filming its fourth season in accordance with the rules of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
“I own this choice,” she wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post. “We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind. We launched live in a global pandemic. Our show was built for sensitive times and has only functioned through what the real world is going through in real time.”
After receiving backlash, the “Scream” actress shared an emotional video message, saying that there’s “nothing I can do that will make this OK,” however, she said she stood by her decision to resume the show.
“I certainly couldn’t have expected this kind of attention,” she said. “We aren’t gonna break rules, and we will be in compliance. I wanted to do this because as I said, this is bigger than me, and there are other people’s jobs on the line.”
As a result of Barrymore’s stance, she was dropped as the host of the upcoming National Book Awards ceremony.
“The National Book Awards is an evening dedicated to celebrating the power of literature, and the incomparable contributions of writers to our culture,” the National Book Foundation said in a statement Tuesday.
“In light of the announcement that ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ will resume production, the National Book Foundation has rescinded Ms. Barrymore’s invitation to host the 74th National Book Awards Ceremony.”
The fourth season of the “Drew Barrymore Show” is slated to start airing on Sept. 18.
