Entertainment

Drew Barrymore announces fourth season of her talk show amid strikes

Published

3 years ago

September 11, 2023

Staff Reporter

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Washington [US], September 11 (ANI): ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ will return to TV screens sooner than planned due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes, despite the WGA’s threat to picket the show’s studios on Monday and Tuesday, reported The Hollywood Reporter.

Drew Barrymore revealed in a lengthy Instagram post that her daytime chat show will begin its fourth season shortly, in compliance with the conditions of the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) strikes. However, a Writers Guild official told The Hollywood Reporter that Drew is a struck show, and union members are planning to picket outside of Barrymore’s studios in New York City on Monday and Tuesday.

“It has stayed off the air since the strike began on May 2 but has now (unfortunately) decided to return without its writers,” the spokesperson said in the statement. “The Guild has, and will continue to, picket any struck show that continues production for the duration of the strike.”According to The Hollywood Reporter Drew plans to premiere its fourth season on September 18. It’s understood that Drew is a signatory to WGA and that the show will be produced without literary material, similar to ABC’s The View. “‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ will not be performing any writing work covered by the WGA strike,” a CBS Media Ventures spokesperson told THR.

Barrymore began her Instagram post by referring to her decision to walk away from hosting the MTV Film and TV Awards in May, in solidarity with the writers who had just gone on strike.

“It had a direct conflict with what the strike was dealing with which was studios, streamers, film, and television,” she wrote in the post and caption. “It was also in the first week of the strike and so I did what I thought was the appropriate thing at the time to stand in solidarity with thewriters.”She pointed out that season three of her show had wrapped prior to the strike, so they never had to shut it down. But she is making another conscious choice now to return to work amid both the writers and actors strikes because the show is”bigger than just me,” reported The Hollywood Reporter.

“I own this choice,” Barrymore continued. “We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind. We launched live in a global pandemic. Our show was built for sensitive times and has only functioned through what the real world is going through inreal time.”The host added that her motivation to return to the talk show arose from a desire to give work for writers and entertainment for viewers during a tough period.

“I want to be there to provide what writers do so well, which is a way to bring us together or help us make sense of the human experience,” she concluded. “I hope for a resolve for everyone as soon as possible. We have navigated difficult times since we first came on air. And so I take a stepforward to start season 4 once again with an astute humility.” As per The Hollywood Reporter, per WGA strike rules, most daytime talk shows are allowed to continue to run because a lot of them do not employ writers who are a part of the union. Two exceptions include’The Drew Barrymore Show’ and ‘The Talk’, which went dark at the start of the strike and continues to play reruns, as do the late-night talk shows. Other daytime shows that also are airing originals include Tamron Hall and Live With Kelly and Mark. While Drew will begin its new season, contrary to the WGA, actors who appear as guests will have to abide by SAG-AFTRA strike rules, which include not discussing or promoting any struck work.

According to a press release, the next season will introduce a new face, celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, who will join the show’s team of lifestyle specialists, which also includes news co-anchor Ross Mathews, interior designer Mikel Welch, chef Pilar Valdes, and sustainable living expert Danny Seo. The show will also introduce a new segment, “Take Care Everywhere,” with The Menopause Bootcamp founder Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, as well as bring back previous segments such as Drew-Gooders, Design by Drew, and Cookbook Club.

“I am so excited to see what Drew has in store for season four,” said Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures. “From launching during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to successfully pivoting to a groundbreaking half-hour format, this show has demonstrated spectacular resilience and creative agility on its journey to becoming the fastest-growing show in daytime. We couldn’t have a better partner in Drew Barrymore and look forward to bringing our fans and station clients alike new episodes this fall,” reported The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI)

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Staff Reporter

Entertainment

Dubai Miracle Garden returns as UAE’s cooler season begins

Published

1 day ago

October 9, 2026

Staff Reporter

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Dubai’s Miracle Garden has reopened for its 15th season as temperatures begin to fall across the UAE. The popular attraction in Al Barsha South welcomed visitors on Thursday, 8 October, with the new season being launched under the theme “Fifteen Years, Blooming Together”.

Sheikh Theyab bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, chairman of Miracle Group, inaugurated the new season. The garden will remain open until 31 May 2027, with a programme of weekly themes and events planned around the UAE’s cultural and national calendar.

Visitors will see activities linked to occasions including Pink October, United Nations Day, UAE Flag Day and Diwali. The programme will also include live music, family entertainment and fitness activities held as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Events are also planned for Commemoration Day and Eid Al Etihad.

“For fifteen seasons, Dubai Miracle Garden has grown alongside Dubai and its people,” Sheikh Theyab said. “This season is dedicated to the community that made it possible, particularly the families and residents who return year after year.”

Mohammed Zaher Hammadih, group chief executive of Miracle Group, said the weekly programme was intended to encourage visitors to return throughout the season.

“As we mark our 15th season, Dubai Miracle Garden continues to bring people together through shared experiences,” he said. “Our weekly programme gives families a new reason to return, with cultural celebrations, live entertainment and activities to enjoy throughout the season.”

The garden features more than 150 varieties of flowers and is known for its large-scale floral displays, some of which have previously set Guinness World Records.

Since opening in 2013, it has attracted millions of visitors and become one of Dubai’s established family attractions.The garden is open daily from 9am to 9pm on weekdays and from 9am to 11pm at weekends.

Tickets start at Dh105 for adults and Dh84 for children. Children under three can enter free of charge.

Entertainment

Emirates Dubai 7s 2026: Tickets on sale as festival returns with bigger family zone

Published

1 month ago

August 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Emirates Dubai 7s is returning to The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29, with tickets now on sale for the three-day sports and entertainment festival.

The 2026 edition will bring together international rugby, amateur sports, live music and family entertainment, with organisers promising a bigger programme than previous years.

The festival attracted more than 88,000 visitors in 2025 and will again take place during the final weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Ticket prices

Ticket prices for General Admission and Hospitality have stayed the same for a third consecutive year.

Three-day General Admission tickets cost Dh595 per person, while the three-day Family Pass is Dh1,136 for two adults and two children.

Other ticket options

Group pass: Dh446 per person for four or more adults
Saturday or Sunday: Dh455
Friday: Dh75
Under 15s: Free
People of Determination + carer: Dh375

Tickets can be purchased through the Emirates Dubai 7s website and app.

Bigger family attractions

Family entertainment will get a major boost this year as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family.

The festival will feature its biggest-ever Kids’ Zone, including the UAE’s largest inflatable kids’ zone, along with a Ferris wheel and zipline. More attractions are expected to be announced ahead of the event.

Six sports and top rugby action

Alongside elite rugby, visitors can watch or take part in competitions across six sports — rugby, netball, cricket, WODON3 fitness, Rebound padel and Gaelic Football.

Gaelic Football will join the festival for the first time in 2026.

The Sevens Stadium will also host the opening round of the HSBC SVNS Series 2027, bringing the world’s leading rugby sevens players to Dubai.

The WODON3 Elite final will take place on Pitch 1 between HSBC SVNS matches, with competitors potentially performing in front of crowds of up to 20,000.

Music all weekend

Live entertainment will run throughout the festival, with local and international artists performing across three days.

Last year’s line-up included Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul and Fisher, while the 2026 headline acts will be announced later.

For a premium experience, The Sunroom returns with all-inclusive food and drinks, shaded seating, prime sporting views and dedicated access. Packages start from Dh1,925 per person.

With sport, music and family attractions packed into one weekend, Emirates Dubai 7s is gearing up for another big Dubai event.

Entertainment

Dubai launches ‘Dubai+’ family streaming platform to boost digital media and creative economy

Published

8 months ago

January 29, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, has approved the launch of Dubai+, a new family-oriented digital media platform, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for digital media and the creative economy.

The approval came as Sheikh Ahmed chaired the Dubai Media Council’s first meeting of 2026 at Dubai Media, where members reviewed sector strategies and plans to strengthen content creation, innovation and local production capabilities.

What is Dubai+?

Dubai+ will offer a wide range of family-friendly content, bringing together:

Local and Emirati productions
Arab series and films
International entertainment

The platform reflects Dubai Media’s integrated digital ecosystem strategy, responding to shifting viewer habits and the growing demand for high-quality, on-demand digital content.

“We believe media is a strategic force that shapes awareness, supports development and builds trust,” Sheikh Ahmed said.

Boosting Local Film and Content Production

The Council also reviewed plans to:

Enhance local production capabilities
Support cinema as a cultural and creative industry
Invest in programmes that drive creative and economic growth

Samr Al Marzooqi, Director of Films and Production at the Dubai Media Council, outlined upcoming initiatives aimed at showcasing Emirati and international talent while strengthening Dubai’s film sector.

Next Phase of Growth

Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, said the next phase will focus on monitoring implementation and ensuring measurable outcomes across the sector.

Secretary General Nehal Badri added that priorities include encouraging private sector participation, accelerating content development, and investing in talent, advanced production technologies and future-ready capabilities.