In the preview clip, Barrymore and Winfrey were seated on a couch discussing the significance of engaging with the studio audience. Barrymore, known for her hands-on approach, tightly held onto Winfrey’s hand while running her other hand up and down the media mogul’s arm. The “Charlie’s Angel” actress mentioned her discovery about Winfrey spending time with the audience outside of the show, prompting Winfrey to slightly distance herself, seemingly attempting to break free from Barrymore’s grasp.
As Barrymore continued to express her enthusiasm, Winfrey, while applauding Barrymore for hosting the talk show without an audience during the pandemic, engaged in hand movements. The “Color Purple” star acknowledged the difficulty of hosting without an audience, emphasizing the challenge of missing the audience’s energy.
While Winfrey appeared unaffected by Barrymore’s hands-on approach, social media users expressed discomfort with the behavior. One commenter on Instagram mentioned, “She’s really creeping me out now. It’s just too weird.” Another criticized Barrymore as “too overbearing and cringey,” questioning the genuineness of her interactions with guests.
The physical contact, including the hand-holding and arm caressing, drew criticism from viewers who found it beyond their comfort boundaries. Some commented on Winfrey’s body language, suggesting she wanted her hand back, while others urged Barrymore to “chill out” and questioned her tendency to “force the moment.”
Representatives for both Barrymore and Winfrey have not responded to requests for comment from Page Six regarding the public’s reaction to the interview.
Drew Barrymore, known for her close and personal interactions with guests, has faced similar comments before, notably during an emotional discussion with Brooke Shields in April about their “needy” moms. Barrymore’s hands-on approach, which has been a trademark of her show, continues to stir varied reactions from viewers.
