Courtesy of Warner Bros.
“The Jennifer Hudson Show” has pushed back its previously scheduled premiere date and suspended production amid backlash during the writers’ strike. Variety has learned
Jennifer Hudson’s talk show was set to premiere its new season on Monday, September 18. But after much criticism — Drew Barrymore publicly announced that she would be withdrawing her talk show while the writers were on strike — and then reversed course. They were there during the day.
On Sunday, Barrymore announced that she would not be returning to her talk show. Her decision has now created a domino effect throughout the day. Barrymore faced severe backlash after she posted on Instagram that her talk show would be returning amid the strikes. Following Barrymore’s decision to suspend production on her show until the strikes are over, CBS’ “The Dog” has also pushed back their premiere date.
On Monday, Sherri Shepard’s talk show “Sherry” returns, although it’s not a show covered by the Writers Guild of America. Kelly Clarkson’s talk show, which moved from Los Angeles to New York City over the summer, has yet to announce a premiere date. With two WGA writers, “The View” airs without its writers throughout the strikes.
Talk shows operate under the SAG-AFTRA network code, allowing hosts like Hudson and Barrymore to continue in their hosting roles, so none of the hosts violate SAG-AFTRA rules.
Hudson’s nationally-syndicated show, covered by the WGA, was scheduled to begin its season without writers, and the WGA intended to resume writing once a new contract was in place.
