The 'Drew Barrymore Show' star, who has been nominated nine times at the MTV Movie and TV Awards, initially announced her hosting gig on March 15 by posting a video of herself dressing up as the scary doll from 'M3GAN'.
- May 5, 2023
AceShowbiz - Drew Barrymore decided to step down from her role as a host at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards. The "50 First Dates" actress withdrew just days before the show in solidarity with members of the Writers Guild of America union members.
"I have listened to the writers, and in order to truly respect them, I will pivot from hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards live in solidarity with the strike," Drew said in a statement. "Everything we celebrate and honor about movies and television is born out of [writers'] creation."
"And until a solution is reached, I am choosing to wait but I'll be watching from home and hope you will join me," Drew continued. She added that she will join the annual ceremony next year "when I can truly celebrate everything that MTV has created, which is a show that allows fans to choose who the awards go to and is truly inclusive."
On Thursday, MTV Movie & TV Awards executive producer Bruce Gillmer told Variety, "So [Barrymore is] not going to be with us live in the house for the show and we will essentially be going hostless." He added, "The silver lining in all of this is that we really formed a partnership almost a family-like atmosphere. So we see this as a shift in direction, but also a pause for the initial plan, which we've all agreed and she's accepted to continue as our host in 2024."
Drew initially announced her hosting gig on March 15. At that time, she unleashed a video of herself dressing up as the scary doll from "M3GAN". The character then broke the news to herself, who was not in costume. "I actually have news for you. You're hosting the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards! How exciting!" the doll exclaimed.
This year's event, which will be produced under Paramount Media Networks & MTV Entertainment Studios, the umbrella company for brands like MTV, Comedy Central, CMT, Paramount Network and TV Land, will air live on May 7 at 8 P.M. ET/PT on MTV. It will also be broadcasted internationally in more than 150 countries.
