‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ Renewed For Season 6, Apologizes For Getting Too Close To Guests

Congratulations are in order for actress Drew Barrymore, who's self-titled daytime talk show was just renewed for a sixth season.

According to THR, ahead of its Sept. 9 return, the daytime talk show has been renewed for a sixth season, which will take it through the 2025-26 season. It will continue to air on CBS stations, though its time periods have been upgraded in seven of the top 20 markets. The Thursday announcement was made by Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures.

“Drew is a one-of-a-kind talent who is an integral part of the CBS and Paramount family,” she noted in a statement. “This early renewal and upgrades are a testament to our commitment to The Drew Barrymore Show and its loyal audience, who tune in every day to see Drew’s warmth, inquisitiveness and spontaneity.”

The nationally syndicated show, which was mired in controversy last fall as its trio of writers declined to return, is said to be averaging 1.1 million viewers. Barrymore and Jason Kurtz remain executive producers on the New York City-set show, which is produced and distributed by CBS Media Ventures.

“Over the last few seasons, stations have realized that The Drew Barrymore Show is like no other series in daytime, bringing Drew’s brand of positivity and ad-friendly content to viewers on a consistent basis,” added McMahon. “Many of these upgrades now pair Drew with a CBS Mornings lead-in, which has proven to be a powerful combination. This season, in markets where Drew airs at 9 AM, its ratings are 21 percent higher among total viewers when CBS mornings is the lead-in.”

While the host and her staff have good reason to celebrate, Drew addressed comments regarding her getting too clingy with guests during interviews.

“I’ll try to practice physical distance, which is not my strong point,” she told Entertainment Tonight when asked what she has in store for her audience in the future. ET then cut to a viral moment from Barrymore’s show last December, when she caressed Oprah’s arm and held her hand as they chatted.

Barrymore explained that she started the show during the pandemic, saying it was “hard” for her. “I was alone in a studio,” she added, “I like to be around people.”

When the ET reporter commented that her closeness to her guests is his “favorite” part of her interviews, she said, “Not everyone’s favorite but I’m sorry to those people.”

Many called Drew’s lack of personal space with Oprah “cringe,” but Winfrey defended the moment.

“I was actually comforted by the stroking of the arm,” she told TMZ last December. “I went home and told Stedman, ‘You gotta stroke my arm. Stedman, I need to be stroked on the arm.’ It’s so comforting. No, I was not uncomfortable at all. I’ve never seen her do that but I thought it was endearing.”

It must be Gen Z-ers complaining, because the way Drew interacts with her guests shows that she's engaged with the people she's conversing with. She's also presented herself as a free spirit (think flower child hippie), so If the people who she's interviewing don't have a problem with it, why should people at home?