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Bill Maher and Drew Barrymore recently announced plans to resume their shows amid the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strike — drawing backlash from union officials and public figures alike.
Maher hosts “Real Time with Bill Maher” on HBO, while Barrymore is behind the syndicated “Drew Barrymore Show.”
Maher, who announced his decision Wednesday, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that “it is time to bring people back to work” and that “much of [his] staff is struggling mightily.” But Maher also said that he “will honor the spirit of the strike” by not doing a monologue or his popular New Rules segment — in other words, elements of the show that require writers.
Barrymore, whose show resumes airing on Sept. 18, struck a similar tone. She said in an Instagram post earlier this week that her show “may have my name on it but this is bigger than just me.” But she also indicated that she will be in “compliance” with the strike terms — in her case she didn’t mention anything about writers, but noted that she will not be “discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind.”
Still, union leadership didn’t take kindly to Maher and Barrymore’s decisions.
The Writers Guild said Wednesday that Maher’s plan to return was “disappointing.” And the union has already picketed tapings of Barrymore’s show.
The strikes by writers and actors, which center on several issues, including protections against the use of artificial intelligence, have now gone on for several months and have vastly interrupted the industry. Hollywood insiders and experts say the moves by Maher and Barrymore could signal a turning of the tide — that is, a desire to get back to work in spite of the unions — and may result in other boldface names making similar calls to resume production.
Frank Lieberman, an entertainment executive, told MarketWatch that there is no question that some people in the industry are indeed hurting financially and need to find work. But he also thinks the decisions by Maher and Barrymore go beyond that.
“It’s all about greed,” he said.
But either way, it’s about getting back in the game. And either way, Lieberman said “it definitely weakens the strike” effort.
Others in the industry have found their own workarounds to, well, return to work in some shape or fashion. In certain instances, those involved in independent films or television productions have been granted strike waivers, for example.
Of course, the strike affects Hollywood studios and executives, too. And as the work stoppage continues, it may be forcing their hand to reach an agreement with the writer and actor unions.
“We have to get back to work,” said Warner Bros. Disney Chief Financial Officer Gunnar Wiedenfels at the Bank of America Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference on Thursday.
Presuming the strike ends eventually, the question remains whether those in the industry will hold a grudge against Maher, Barrymore and any others who make similar calls to return to work. Amy Palmer, an entertainment executive, told MarketWatch she doubts that will be the case.
“Hollywood has short memories for things,” Palmer said.
MarketWatch reached out to representatives for Maher and Barrymore for comment, but didn’t receive an immediate response.
