by The Cowl Editor on October 15, 2020
Film and Television
by Grace O’Connor ’22 A&E Staff
Drew Barrymore has had an outstanding career in Hollywood and has been a fan favorite for decades. She recently started her own talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show. According to USA Today, “Her unguardedness and verve are key ingredients” for her show. With Barrymore’s gregarious and eccentric personality, she welcomes each guest with open arms and adds her own twist to the typical talk show format. The guests that Barrymore has welcomed are mostly close friends such as Reese Witherspoon, who appeared during the premiere week, and Adam Sandler. Her show is light-hearted and comical, and her authentic personality brings a different medium of entertainment. USA Today discussed Barrymore’s unique down-to-earth vibe, saying that “Drew Barrymore is like everybody›s best friend. Or maybe that cool aunt.” Her charm and ability to make meaningful connections are obvious in the show. The daytime series includes celebrity interviews, giveaways, and games.
There are many underlying reasons for Barrymore wanting to try something new with this show, even though the odds may not have been in her favor. She saw this show as an exciting opportunity after filming the last episode of Santa Clarita Diet. She entered a competitive and crowded daytime slot—Ellen Degeneres and Dr. Phil air around the same time. Barrymore stated it was important to challenge herself and to “turn every obstacle into opportunities,” which meant adapting the show to the COVID-19 era. Her drive and vision are what made this show happen in the current atmosphere. She strives to be her most authentic self and show off every aspect of her life.
Barrymore said, “One thing we want to say on this show is I am who you think I am. I struggle, I fail and I think one of the most important things I want to teach my own kids and myself as I grow with them is that change is so important—change in the world, change in yourself. I am a self-examiner and I’ve never pretended to be anyone I›m not.” In this statement, Barrymore speaks to her authenticity and determination to put meaning behind everything she does. She sees this show not only as a way to bring people together, but also to create new meaning in her own life.
The beauty of Barrymore is her ability to acknowledge the work the individuals do behind the scenes. Even though it is called The Drew Barrymore Show, she claims that the show belongs to everyone. She sees herself as being a member of a team and lets the people around her know that they play just as important a role as she does in creating the show. Barrymore frequently claims how lucky she is to have this opportunity and how she is appreciative for those in her life who have pushed her.
Barrymore expressed this gratitude, saying, “It’s crazy, I’ve never felt more humble and grateful in my entire life than I do right now to be alive, to have two kids that are healthy, to be amongst this crew and this team and getting this opportunity.” She continued, “I don’t know how I ended up here, but I’ll never lose sight and I never have lost sight of how lucky I am.” She has the goal of making others around her happy and looking at the bright side of everything in life. Barrymore’s ability to follow through with this goal despite the current pandemic is admirable and speaks to her determination and ingenuity.