Drew Barrymore, a renowned figure in entertainment, wearing multiple hats, is not just an actress but a producer and talk show host as well. She paved her way into popularity with stellar performances in films like ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ and ‘Altered States’. Drew then expanded her on-screen personality to feature in light-hearted romantic comedies including ‘The Wedding Singer’ and took the adrenaline rush to the next level with ‘Charlie’s Angels’. A production company named ‘Flower Films’ is also part of her accomplishments.
On top of wearing many hats in the film industry, she’s also the face of ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’, a talk show where she interacts with various personalities. However, in the fifth season of her show, a peculiar critique was pointed out by guest Dax Shepard. He asked Barrymore about her seemingly intimate style of conversation that involved heavy physical contact.
What caught the attention of viewers was the phrase ‘physical proximity’, which Shepard used to describe Barrymore’s interview approach. This practice involved occasionally touching the hands of her guests or sitting way too close. She openly admitted her inclination towards such behavior, expressing her own shock but admitting her inability to cease.
Barrymore admitted, ‘I can’t fight the urge to reach out and connect physically, even though I am aware of the criticism it brings. As bizarre as it sounds, maintaining a physical distance is something that I need to practice.’ The conversation took an interesting turn when Shepard suggested that Barrymore’s average size gave her more freedom to be close with guests without raising eyebrows.
This interaction was part of the first episode of the fifth season, with Dax Shepard being the initiator of the question. Shepard is best known as the host of the podcast ‘Armchair Expert’. Here, the topic revolved around Barrymore’s signature interview style and its reception.
Shepherd’s critique was drawn from some explicit instances on the show. As per a report by ‘The Independent’ dated September 9, 2024, Barrymore had showcased physical proximity while interviewing celebrated figures. This included instances where she held the hand of Oprah Winfrey and Vice President Kamala Harris, pushing physical boundaries even further.
Notably, in April 2024, she seemed to cross a line during an interview with Kamala Harris. Par everyone’s expectations of maintaining a formal atmosphere given the stature of the guest, she defiantly held Harris’ hand and referred to her as ‘Mom-ala’.
During a podcast named ‘Meghan McCain Has Entered the Chat’ that aired on May 1, Meghan McCain brought up the topic of Barrymore’s overt display of warmth. McCain opinionated that while building a comforting atmosphere was essential, crossing boundaries by excessively physical closeness was not needed. It’s almost as if Barrymore treated the show as a therapy session.
Barrymore, however, didn’t shy away from accepting the criticism. She responded: ‘It was embarrassing when I first heard people calling me out for being too touchy. But, I am committed to working on it, and I will make sure that my actions do not discomfort my guests.’ Despite the backlash, she was, admittedly, unable to let go of the behavior completely.
What was surprising is the level of support she received from Shepard. He responded: ‘It’s part of who you are. Moreover, you being an average-sized woman helps. If you were a sizeable man doing the same, it would have triggered a different reaction. So, you do have a certain level of freedom that many don’t.’
In all fairness, she made sure to point out that none of her guests, including Winfrey, ever expressed discomfort with her approach. She even recollected an incident where Winfrey jokingly said, ‘I wish Stedman would touch me like that.’ This statement implies that her actions might not have been as unwelcome as the media made it out to be.
The Drew Barrymore Show, which premiered on CBS on September 14, 2020, offers a mix of content to its viewers. From engaging interviews and lifestyle tips to important conversations about health & wellness and parenting, the show covers a wide range of topics designed to cater to a diverse audience.
It wouldn’t be an understatement to state that the guests on the show have been nothing short of notable. We’ve seen Oprah Winfrey, Kamala Harris, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler, Zoë Kravitz, and Demi Moore taking a seat and sharing their views. A motley crowd indeed!
Apart from interviewing celebrities, the show also does an amazing job of bringing light-hearted entertainment to the audience. It features trivia games to engage viewers and offers a fun take on news, which serves as a refreshing change from the usual seriousness associated with current events.
Despite the constant criticism revolving around her ‘physical proximity’, Drew Barrymore continues to lead her show. She’s remained committed to bringing interesting content to her viewers. Whilst there are instances where her actions sparked controversy, we must not overlook the lively and heartfelt approach she puts into each interview.
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