Drew Barrymore Steps Down as MTV Movie & TV Awards Host in Support of Writers’ Strike
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Drew Barrymore has shown her support for the members of the Writers Guild of America, who are currently on strike. The actress and talk show host pulled out of her gig hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards, which will take place this Sunday.
Drew Barrymore Pulls Out of Hosting MTV Movie & TV Awards
According to Variety, Barrymore has pulled out of hosting this year’s MTV Movie & TV Awards, but she has agreed to host next year’s ceremony. This year’s awards will still go on as scheduled this Sunday night, but without a host.
There will also reportedly be no red carpet or celebrity interviews before the ceremony, and producers of the awards show are waiting to see which presenters and attendees are still planning to appear at the event.
“I have listened to the writers, and in order to truly respect them, I will pivot from hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards live in solidarity with the strike,” Barrymore said of her decision in a statement. “Everything we celebrate and honor about movies and television is born out of their creation. And until a solution is reached, I am choosing to wait but I’ll be watching from home and hope you will join me.”
She went on to thank MTV, calling them “some of the best partners I have ever worked with.” Variety points out that Barrymore had already pre-recorded some segments for the show, which are still expected to air.
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MTV Supports Barrymore’s Decision
Bruce Gillmer, executive producer of the MTV Movie & TV Awards, told Variety that Barrymore has “been incredible,” adding, “She is not surprisingly, standing in solidarity with the writers, which we have full respect for. She has our full support.”
Gillmer added that they “really formed a partnership almost a family-like atmosphere,” and they see this as “a pause for the initial plan, which we’ve all agreed and she’s accepted to continue as our host in 2024.”
The producer also explained that they’re figuring out how to present the awards in the event that some of the scheduled attendees do not appear, adding that they have “backups to our backups.” The show will apparently include some pre-taped acceptance speeches.
