Drew Barrymore’s invitation to host the 2023 National Book Awards has been revoked. The actress was originally scheduled to present the literary ceremony in New York on November 15. However, due to her decision to continue her self-titled talk show without writers during the ongoing Hollywood strike, the organizers have confirmed that she will no longer be hosting the event.
The National Book Foundation, which is responsible for the awards, made a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter) announcing Barrymore’s removal from the line-up. The organization emphasized their dedication to celebrating literature and writers’ contributions to our culture. They expressed gratitude to Barrymore and her team for understanding their decision to rescind the invitation, as they want the focus of the awards to remain on writers and books.
This announcement comes after Drew Barrymore revealed her plans to resume production on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ without the striking writers. The entertainment industry in the US has been greatly impacted by the industrial action taken by the Writers Guild of America and the SAG-AFTRA actors union. Many movies and TV series have halted production, and most talk shows in America have been put on hold as a result of the strike.
The writers from ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ participated in the strike by picketing at the studio where the show is filmed. They held placards with the words “Drew’s WGA Crew.” While announcing her decision to continue the show during the strike, Barrymore stated that they are not discussing or promoting any struck film or television. She acknowledged the challenging times the show has faced since its launch and expressed her desire to provide what writers do best – bringing people together and helping them make sense of the human experience.
Barrymore concluded her statement by expressing hope for a swift resolution to the strike and her commitment to starting the fourth season of her talk show with humility.