Drew Barrymore won't air her show until strikes are over, apologizes after backlash

Drew Barrymore, who was criticizedfor taping new episodes of her daytime talk show despite ongoing strikes by writers and actors in the U.S., now says she'll wait until the labour issues are resolved.

Hours later, CBS'sThe Talkdid the same. The Jennifer Hudson Show, which was also set to return on Monday, has reportedly pushed back its return, too.

"I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show's premiere until the strike is over," Barrymore posted on Instagram on Sunday.

"I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today."

Barrymore's decision to return to the airwithout her three union writers and with picketers outside her studiowas met with pushback on social media. Her show resumed taping in New York last week and was picketed by striking writers.

Other daytime shows have resumed. The Viewhas returned for its 27th season on ABC, while Tamron Halland Live With Kelly and Ryan neither of which are governed by writers guild rules have also been producing fresh episodes.

But The Talkscrapped its restart, planned for Monday. "We will continue to evaluate plans for a new launch date," CBSsaid in a statement Sunday.

Ariel Dumas, head writer and supervising producer for The Late Show With Stephen Colbertreacted on X, formerly Twitter: "This is really great," she wrote, saying The Drew Barrymore Show"decided to do the right thing. I hope The Viewand others will follow suit."

Hosts and guests are not technically in violation of the strike as long as theydon't discuss or promote work covered by television, theatrical or streaming contracts.

This is because talk shows are covered under a separate contract the so-called Network Code from the one actors and writers are striking. The Network Code also covers reality TV, sports, morning news shows, soap operas and game shows.

Barrymore's earlier decision to bring back her talk show during the strikes led to her being uninvited to host the National Book Awards in November. The organization rescinded her invitation "in light of the announcement that The Drew Barrymore Show will resume production.

The ongoing strikes pit theWriters Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents Disney, Netflix, Amazon and others.