[Note: This post takes no position regarding the validity and justness of the Hollywood writers’ strike.]

Tough choice: is the now middle-aged former child star turned talk show host’s apology even more unethical than Broebert’s discussed here? It’s certainly more ridiculous, even though Drew’s was teary and seemingly sincere, unlike the Republican’s. In fact, this apology is unique in my experience: Barrymore was apologizing for something she had announced she was doing, then she went ahead and did it anyway. What is that?

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been on strike since May over more equitable wages and working conditions. Even though it is a talk show and theoretically shouldn’t require writers, “The Drew Barrymore Show” does employ some, and thus is officially being struck. Nonetheless, Barrymore announced that her show would metaphorically cross the picket lines to premier tomorrow as scheduled. Her announcement predictably attracted a “scab” response from the WGA and others on social media. Then Barrymore posted the mea culpa video excerpted above on Instagram.

Videoed, as she said, without a “PR machine” behind her, Barrymore said in part, “I deeply apologize to writers. I deeply apologize to unions.” She said she accepted “full responsibility” for allowing her show to return despite the ongoing strike. She said, “I believe there’s nothing I can do or say in this moment to make it OK,” though she termed it a “complex” decision that was “bigger than” her with many “other people’s jobs on the line.” Then Barrymore said, “We aren’t going to break rules and are going to be in compliance,” though the writers had made it clear that her action was not “in compliance” with the strike. Finally, she said, “I just want everyone to know my intentions have never been in a place to upset or hurt anyone. It’s not who I am.”

Well who is she, then? After the video attracted more criticism of her decision, Barrymore removed it from Instagram. What does that mean? “Sorry not sorry”? “Well, that didn’t work, so fuck ’em, it’s my show and I don’t need no stinkin’ writers”? I have no idea.

Nobody can make Barrymore do the “Drew Barrymore Show”—it’s her show. She sounds in the video as if she has a gun to her head: she doesn’t. The apology makes no sense whatsoever, which leads me to believe that either it is completely insincere and a ploy, or Drew really isn’t very bright. Or both.

She certainly doesn’t have a working understanding of ethics. She might have explained that she was making a utilitarian decision, and that on balance, more would benefit from the talk show coming back on the air than would be hurt by the small but technical breach of the strike, given how little the show needs writers. Instead, Barrymore engaged in gaslighting—“I so regret that I have to do what I really don’t have to do!”— used the always absurd Pazuzu Excuse (“It’s not me saying or doing what I’m saying or doing!”), depended on Rationalization #11, The King’s Pass to get her off the hook—Drew’s America’s sweetie pie, after all!—and either nicked, evoked or directly invoked an impressive number of rationalizations, beginning with 1A. Ethics Surrender, or “We can’t stop it,” and continuing with 11. (a) “I deserve this!” or “Just this once!”, 13A  The Road To Hell, or “I meant well” (“I didn’t mean any harm!”),14. Self-validating Virtue, 19 B. Murkowski’s Lament, or “It was a difficult decision,”  21A. The Criminal’s Redemption, or “It’s just a small part of what I am!,” 23. The Dealer’s Excuse or “I’m just giving the people what they want!,” 25. The Coercion Myth or “I have no choice!,” 25A. Frederick’s Compulsion or “It’s my duty!” , 28. The Revolutionary’s Excuse or “These are not ordinary times,” 31. The Troublesome Luxury, or “Ethics is a luxury we can’t afford right now” , 38. The Miscreant’s Mulligan or “Give him/her/them/me a break!,” 41. The Evasive Tautology, or “It is what it is,” 41 A. Popeye’s Excuse, or “I am what I am,” 45. The Abuser’s License, or  “It’s complicated,” 48. Ethics Jiu Jitsu, or “Haters gonna hate!,”, 53. Tessio’s Excuse, or “It’s just business,”, 56.  “The Idealist’s Delusion,” or “I’m better than this,”63. Yoo’s Rationalization or “It isn’t what it is,”64. Irrelevant Civility or “But I was nice about it!,” and 64A. Bluto’s Mistake or “I said I was sorry!”

That’s 21 in all, and The King’s Pass makes 22. Impressive! Or to put it another way, “Yecchh.“

The only factor that keeps Barrymore’s apology from crushing Boebert’s and taking the prize is that nobody should expect actors to understand ethics or to demonstrate good judgment and keen ethical analysis, especially performers with Barrymore’s record.