“He Jennifer Hudson Show” delayed its previously planned release date and halted production amid backlash during the writers’ strike. Variety has learned.
Jennifer Hudson’s talk show was supposed to premiere its new season on Monday, September 18. But after mounting criticism, fueled by Drew Barrymore, who publicly announced that her talk show would return while the writers were on the picket line and then changed course, all eyes were on her. They have been during the day.
Sunday, Barrymore announced that his talk show would not return, after all. His decision has now created a domino effect throughout the day. Barrymore had faced intense backlash after he posted on her Instagram that her talk show would return amid the strikes. Shortly after Barrymore’s decision to pause production on his show until the strikes end, CBS’ “The Talk” also retreated its release date.
Sherri Shepherd’s talk show “Sherri” will return on Monday, although it’s not a surprising 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 not yet announced a premiere date. “The View,” which has two WGA writers on staff, has aired during the strikes without its writers.
The talk shows operate under the SAG-AFTRA Network Code, allowing hosts like Hudson and Barrymore to continue in their hosting roles, so neither host violates SAG-AFTRA rules.
Hudson’s nationally syndicated show, which is covered by the WGA, had been planned to begin its season without writers and intended to resume WGA writers once a new contract was signed.