The Hilarity Behind Barrymore and Maher's Failed Scabbing
Don't cross picket lines, y'all. It's NEVER worth it.
So, talk show hosts Drew Barrymore and Bill Maher really put themselves through it. As the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild strikes roll on, the two hosts decided—albeit briefly—to defy the strikes and resume production of their shows.
Hilarity did not ensue.
The outrage directed at both hosts was immediate, swift, and justified. Rather than stand in solidarity with the writers who make their shows possible, Barrymore and Maher made a half-assed plea that the rest of their staff were suffering as a result of the strikes and the show must go on (sans writers).
Well, no shit folks are suffering. Strikes are supposed to be hard.
After days of outrage Barrymore and Maher backtracked and pledged to keep their shows off the air. Barrymore went first, cutting what appeared to be a totally manufactured apology video (which she then deleted). Maher reneged on his promise to resume his show after the WGA said it was going to resume contract negotiations.
Meanwhile, amidst all of this we see much smaller stories like Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw cutting a $1.5 million check to a strike fund.
A small bit of solidarity from those who won’t lose their home and livelihoods because of the AMPTP won’t bargain fair contracts with writers and actors.
Barrymore and Maher could do the same. Sure, they’re not as wealthy as Spielberg and Capshaw, but several of their fellow talk show hosts are finding ways to keep staff paid (at least to some extent), while remaining in solidarity with the WGA and SAG.
We’re at a critical moment in time, as myriad issues have left workers little choice but to take collective action. If workers don’t hold bosses accountable today, then tomorrow looks awfully bleak as artificial intelligence and other developments put the economic security of millions in jeopardy.
Putting aside the seriousness of the moment, it’s pretty hilarious that Barrymore and Maher thought—even for a moment—that they could will their shows into production, even with their writers walking the picket lines. When the writers win, how many working on Barrymore or Maher’s shows would polish their resumes and look for opportunities elsewhere? When the actors win their strike, how many big stars would Barrymore and Maher book for their shows?
It’s darkly hilarious to me that either of them thought scabbing would work. Even with Maher’s caveats that he wouldn’t have an opening monologue or New Rules (two heavily scripted segments), by even having a show, he’s still crossing a picket line.
How could two people who’ve been in show business as long as Drew Barrymore and Bill Maher think otherwise?
Barrymore and Maher have egg on their faces, but much of this would be forgotten if they picked up a picket sign and joined the writers and actors on the lines. Hell, maybe promote a strike fund, contribute to a fundraiser, or find some inventive ways to keep staff paid while the writers and actors fight for the future of the entire film and television industry.