'The Jennifer Hudson Show' Opts To Postpone Return Date Amid WGA Strike

Drew Barrymore is already halting the return of her talk show, "The Drew Barrymore Show," after receiving backlash for resuming the play during the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) and actors union (SAG-AFTRA) strikes against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. And now, it looks like other daytime talk shows are following suit, specifically Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson's "The Jennifer Hudson Show" and "The Talk," per The Hollywood Reporter.

According to THR, both shows and "The Drew Barrymore Show" will postpone their new series premieres while writers are still striking against the AMPTP. Warner Bros. Discovery distributes Hudson's syndicated talk show. It was due to premiere on Monday (Sept. 18), but now that date is on hold indefinitely. "The Talk" is produced by CBS.

THR reports that Hudson herself advocated postponing the return date. All three talk above shows are signatories of the WGA and have employed WGA writers. That's why Barrymore received such public outcry for plans to resume production of the series, even though she claimed the return would not violate any strike rules. As previously reported, a rep for SAG-AFTRA stated that Barrymore's talk show duties would not break the current strike rules for the guild.

However, the WGA is a different story. The WGA leadership felt that Barrymore's work went against the rules and spirit of the strike, and members began picketing the show. Barrymore received criticism from across the WGA and members of SAG-AFTRA, criticizing the actress and hosts for undermining the strikes by resuming production of her performance.

"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" and "Hell on Wheels" star Anson Mount was especially critical of Barrymore's decision to continue the show, writing on X, "@DrewBarrymore You have undermined the integrity of the unions, full stop. I refuse to believe you didn't see this coming. All you have accomplished is to EXTEND the strike, as you have now handed the AMPTP a glimmer of hope that the damn is breaking. Thankfully, it is not."

https://twitter.com/ansonmount/status/1702854131977691253

The other shows resuming filming also received heavy criticism. Additionally, Bill Maher plans to continue "Real Time" production later this month, and that decision has also come under fire. While Barrymore appeared to double down on her decision following her initial announcement, she ultimately decided to stand down with her latest statement via Instagram on Sunday (Sept. 17).

Other daytime talk shows that have remained in production during the strike include "The View" on ABC, which WGA members have picketed. NBC's "Kelly Clarkson" is reportedly seeking a move from Los Angeles to New York.

Hudson opting to postpone the production of her show has generally received positive feedback. Writer and striking WGA writer Bill Wolkoff wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Day 139. Whoa! Today, THREE-struck WGA shows canceled premieres, standing in solidarity with striking unions. Thank you, Jennifer Hudson, Drew Barrymore, and the Talk! It's not too late for Bill Maher & Dancing With The Stars to do the same. We'll picket if they don't. #WGAStrong"

Also, X user Andrew OmegA posted, "She shouldn't have made plans to resume the show when WGA and SAG are on strike in the first place." Meanwhile, "Late Night With Seth Meyers" writer Mike Scollins suggested the hosts of "The View" follow suit with Hudson and Barrymore, writing, "So pretty much all WGA daytime shows except @TheView. Consider joining them @joyvbehar, @sunny, @sarahaines, @alyssafarah, @ananavarro"

The WGA writers have been on strike since early May, which is currently in its fifth month. SAG-AFTRA declared its strike just over two months ago. There appears to be no end, but The Hollywood Reporter revealed last week that WGA and the AMPTP discussed when negotiations might resume. However, the SAG-AFTRA talks will have to come next if and when the WGA deal gets done.