Drew Barrymore, the 48-year-old critically acclaimed actress and pop culture icon hosts her own day-time talk show titled, The Drew Barrymore Show. Now recording their fourth season, I got the astounding privilege to attend one of her shows on Oct. 11, 2023, with my friend Madison. So just in case you ever plan to go see The Drew Barrymore Show live, here are some tips on what to do, what not to do, what to wear, what not to wear, and more.
When receiving our tickets, we were told that they were general, meaning we weren’t guaranteed entry. There are two or three lines for check-in, all with different arrival times. There are also priority and guaranteed tickets, which have seats reserved for them. Barrymore’s studio is pretty spacious, but if you have a general ticket, I’d recommend getting there as early as possible. Although our check-in started at 12:45 and the taping wasn’t until 1:30, we arrived at around 11:55 and were the fourth people in our line.
Prior to arriving, there are several things that you need to know and have: your ID, your ticket printed out, appropriate clothing, an understanding of the policies and rules of the show, and anything else you want to bring with you. I brought a small bag to keep simple necessities I use on the daily with me during the show. I recommend bringing a small bag or tote because it must fit between your legs under the seats. Two extremely important things that you should keep in your bag are your printed ticket and your ID. I recommend printing your tickets the day before, so it isn’t something you have to unnecessarily stress out over the morning of. I had my physical ID in my hand while waiting in line because several people came around to look at it during check-in. A very unique part of The Drew Barrymore Show is her choice of dress for both herself and her audience. Drew Barrymore is known to have a very fun, unique, and outgoing sense of style dating all the way back to the ‘90s. She dresses the way everyone sees her personality: bright, happy, and quirky. NBC Studios requested that “…All audience members must follow a business/trendy dress code. You’ll look your best wearing solid, jewel-toned colors (ex: deep blues, reds, greens, etc.)…” Although I thought this was rather extra in the clothing department, the bright colors in the audience matched the aesthetic of both Barrymore and the show perfectly.
The most important things to know are the policies and rules of The Drew Barrymore Show and NBC Studios in general. One of the heavily enforced policies of the show was about filming. There were no recording devices permitted, especially cell phones. There was a security check-in point where you went through a metal screening and were talked to by Drew Barrymore’s head of security, who informed us that all phones must be off and away during the entirety of the taping. He specified that this didn’t mean they were silent or on “do not disturb,” but completely shut off. He stated that if you were seen with it out or in your hand or if it made any noise, you’d be asked to leave the studio and wouldn’t be permitted to return. Although the shows aren’t live, it is important that they are filmed as if they are. There are points in the show called commercial breaks, just like how it is on regular TV. To be completely honest, it was extremely refreshing to not have our phones or cameras out because we were just in the moment with one of the most iconic people in television: Drew Barrymore.
When it comes to the show, be prepared not for a regular day-time TV show, but instead a heartfelt, warming, and funny show that exudes love and positive energy. Drew Barrymore’s energy is infectious and she’s the reason for the large magnitude of joy that flows throughout the audience. My number one recommendation for attending the show is to clear your entire schedule for the day because recordings can, and will, run late. Barrymore is interactive with the crowd and even comes on the stairs beside us to constantly thank us for “our most valuable thing in the world: our time.” She was extremely kind to us and gave us water before the show, allowed us to ask her guest questions, and always explained how grateful she was to have us.
My personal experience with the special guests that day was great. Featured in the taped episode were, “Drew Crew” member and prodigy chef, Eitan Bernath and actress turned New York Times bestselling author, Julia Fox. Eitan Bernath did a segment where he showed us a new breakfast spot with a breakfast sandwich that had recently gone viral on multiple social media platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram. After a video of him going into the restaurant, meeting the owners, learning and seeing how the sandwich was made, and then trying it, he brought back a couple for Barrymore and her co-host Ross Mathews to try. They gave their review and talked about the entire aspect of dinner parties from hosting and decor, to planning and RSVP protocol. It was an interesting, fun, and educational segment that the entire audience seemed to be really into.
An unexpected and random guest she brought onto the show was an old couple who were reunited and recently engaged. She gushed about how she would love to find a love like theirs in the future, happily adding to their conversation with stories and opinions of her own. The couple explained how they met decades ago when they were young at a family friend’s wedding. They went on a couple of dates, but it just didn’t work out, causing them to separate and live their own lives. The woman was married and had kids and then grandkids, while the man never was married. They were reunited at a family gathering and rekindled their old flame of love. They were recently engaged and, because of how enthralled Barrymore was by their story, she gifted them an all-expenses-paid honeymoon and wished them luck for their beautiful and full future together.
Julia Fox was the final guest of the show. She was there to discuss her new book, titled Down the Drain. As someone who’s a fan of Julia Fox, specifically her fashion sense, it was very interesting to see her life in a different way, as she discussed her past relationships, her son, and her life growing up in her book. She was extremely kind and genuine throughout the entire show. I enjoyed the way Julia Fox and Drew Barrymore conversed with each other as if there wasn’t a live audience sitting in with them. They talked while Fox did Barrymore’s makeup, per her request, while asking each other questions. It felt more like a conversation and not an interview; it didn’t feel forced and made the show more engaging. There was a point in the show where Barrymore left to change into her own Julia Fox-inspired outfit after talking about Fox’s unique and flamboyant sense of style. While Barrymore was gone, Fox asked the audience if they had any questions. I had the privilege of asking her about her clothes and where she finds inspiration for specific events or day-to-day life outfits. She was very kind and honest in her answers, as I was fangirling and gushing over how much I loved her.
As the show wrapped up, Fox and Drew came through the audience and gave us our own personal copies of Fox’s book, which was just another personal connection that Barrymore went out of her way to make with her audience. After leaving the show, I felt so happy and overjoyed about how much fun I had at the show and over how great Drew Barrymore truly was in person. As my friend and I were leaving the studio, Julia Fox came out of the door opposite of me with her team. I waved to her and she waved, so I asked her for a picture. I complimented her and her outfit she was wearing, and she replied by thanking me for the question I asked her in the studio. I was super excited that I was even talking to her and over how kind she was to me. I was about to walk off when a paparazzi man asked me to take a picture with her. He kept trying to rearrange the way I was holding her book so they could see the cover, as it would make a good promotional picture. I told her “I don’t know what I’m doing,” to which she could’ve just left me clueless. Instead she gave me words of encouragement by saying, “You’re doing great.” I was a little anxious at that moment, but her small amount of words truly did make a great difference to me. Her stylist then came up with a sharpie and suggested Fox sign my book. She asked my name, wrote a note in my book for me, and thanked me yet again. Before I left, I was able to meet her hair and clothing stylist; her clothing stylist was someone I really look up to since I love Fox’s fashion so much. Because of this, I made sure to give her a hug and tell her how talented she is.The Drew Barrymore Show is truly a fun experience no matter who the guests are, who you go with, or who you meet. It was a new experience that gave me confidence in the fact that celebrities are really just people at the end of the day. As a popular celebrity, you don’t necessarily need to interact with people, let alone your fans. Drew Barrymore’s show is as electric and bright as her personality; it was genuine and full of love. Her kindness is contagious. Lastly, Drew Barrymore does research and finds her own guests that inspire her and she believes will inspire other people, such as the old couple in the second segment. Her energy is radiant;I enjoyed every second of her show and will forever recommend it to anyone who asks.