It seems that now is the winter of our Martha content. “Martha,” of course, refers to Martha Stewart, subject of the Netflix documentary Martha, and author of Martha: The Cookbook: 100 Favorite Recipes, her 100th book (and an experiment in colons). Our hustler’s been out promoting both projects, some oftentimes while denouncing other people in the process. So it was entirely predictable that uptight, very particular Martha would clash with loosey goosey, touchy feely Drew Barrymore. Which she did. Martha was a guest on Drew’s talk show this week, and Drew asked Martha what made her “soft and gooey.” Personally, I would’ve answered “45 minutes in the oven at 375 degrees,” but no one asked me. Then Drew sealed her own fate when she started caressing Martha, I guess as an example of behavior that makes one feel “soft and gooey.” You better believe Martha pushed that hand the hell away, after an extended eye roll played to the audience. Keeping hands to ourselves: it’s a good thing.
If you know Drew Barrymore, you might be aware that she’s become known for getting pretty close* to guests on her self-titled talk show.
*When I say pretty close, I mean Drew kneeling on the floor in front of her guests, touching their arms, and even locking hands with them.
Perhaps most memorably, Oprah Winfrey’s appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show went viral last year after fans noticed how close Drew got to her.
For the record, Oprah ended up clarifying that despite fans’ discomfort at the exchange, she found Drew’s demeanor “comforting.”
A few months ago, when discourse around Drew getting too close to her guests was rife on social media, she admitted that she was planning on practicing “physical distance” going forward.
“Do you know how hard the pandemic was for me? I was alone in a studio by myself. I like to be around people! It’s not everyone’s favorite, but I’m sorry to those people,” she told Entertainment Tonight.
Well, fast-forward to today, and Drew found herself getting physically close to none other than Martha Stewart.
During a recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Drew asked Martha what makes her “soft and gooey,” prompting the chef to discuss her ideal treatment from a romantic partner.
Drew then leaned in and began stroking her arm, telling Martha, “When you’re being treated like a lady.”
Martha said, “It’s nice,” before turning to the audience, who burst out laughing. Then, the cook playfully pushed Drew away and told her, “You’re the wrong gender.”
Drew jokingly fell back onto the couch, with Martha laughing out loud at the exchange.
You gotta watch the clip, because it’s not just the fact that Martha pushes Drew away. It’s the flick of her wrist after the gesture is successfully completed. She really sticks the landing with that move, and I can’t get enough of it! The booking producer for The Drew Barrymore Show and Martha’s publicist had to know this would be the logical outcome of these two women sitting next to each other, yes? If there had been other people on the couch with them, that maybe could’ve dialed down the dynamics. But those two one-on-one and something like this was near inevitable. Drew’s been in quasi probation after being called out on the interwebs for getting all up in her guests’ physical spaces. And Martha, well, I don’t think Martha likes people getting close to her, period. This is peak canine coming up against peak feline energy, and the cat won! (And I say that as a proud dog lady.) Drew took it in good humor, though, and it was excellent TV. If I were Drew, I’d wear it as a badge of honor. Or just be grateful that Martha didn’t flat out declare publicly that Drew’s not so funny and/or not so alive.
Martha Stewart playfully pushes Drew Barrymore away after she starts petting her back:
“You're the wrong gender!” https://t.co/6nOw3cyr4R
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) November 12, 2024
Photos are screenshots from YouTube and via Instagram
First, I love Drew Barrymore. I just adore everything about her. I thought this was actually funny. And Martha was in on it? Maybe I’m misreading the whole thing. I love when Drew falls backwards when Martha pushes her away.
Ditto
Same, Martha. Same.
I’ve never watched her show but the clips I’ve seen where she stares in awe at, snuggles up to and touches her guests make her look just plain strange. Like is it just her “thing” and her guests know to expect it? Why does she do it? It would make me incredibly uncomfortable. Good for Martha!
It would take alot more than that to make Martha uncomfortable. Looked like it was all in fun!
I think they were both doing a bit.
I don’t have audio, but with the video only I agree, it looks like a planned thing.
The touchy feely stuff makes me uncomfortable in general though. I get some people are OK with it but I would not be.
Go Martha!
I don’t like to be touched by strangers, and even with my SO the pta are not always welcomed.
It seems so contrived to me. These people on her couch are not exchanging intimate information with her; they are presenting their crafted, vetted, oft repeated spiel. It’s obviously her brand and she’s not going to change it; her brand is just not for me.
Martha is a queen and I love her icy bitchiness. Drew is like a playful puppy, hoping to be picked up and loved. Together they made a great tv moment.
Dear Drew, boundary, boundary! You are not a trauma counselor treating a patient in crisis, nor are you a healthcare professional accessing a person in distress, please, no touchy-feely even if your intent is pure.
We, as females, should also respect other people’s space. (Not just claim “MeToo”.)
First of all, I’ve always really liked Drew Barrymore. I admire her as well, for overcoming enormous obstacles while very young, and working on herself to heal. So, she is who she is. But in watching her show in the last couple of years, I was pretty fed up with her scooting in and looking up her guest’s nostrils. And fawning over them. I think Martha and I would agree that that is not proper behavior on a show, that is not in your own living room. That behavior is off-putting, and a host doesn’t know really if it is ok with the guest, or if they are comfortable with it. It is just not the place for the content. When you have someone as a guest, it should be all about the guest, but Drew’s behavior makes it seem like it is all about her and her needs. I wondered in the past why they had chairs or couches at all. And I felt they should do away with seating for Drew and just get a pre dieu for her. It is just too much, and it has become weird. Martha was there as a guest for business – her business. That’s a weird question too. Drew is aware of criticism and people expressing their discomfort. I don’t want to be mad at Drew, but I am. Just fucking stop. Get a comfort dog who is mascot of the show, or a cat. Something you can pet to comfort yourself while interviewing your guests in an appropriate way.
I have to guess Drew is probably starved for affection, we know she had a very dysfunctional childhood given she went to rehab at 13 and was emancipated at 14 (also apparently tried to take her life around that age too). Her dad wasn’t around and her relationship with her mom was fraught. So her very “everyone be my bestie” persona and getting into people’s physical space makes sense to me, she was alone for so much of her teen years left to figure it out and probably hates being alone. I know it’s part of her shtick too but her getting so close to her guests isn’t just part of her personality, I think it’s also a trauma response from her childhood and being abandoned. All that being said, she’s got to respect people’s physical spaces and their personal boundaries! Martha is definitely someone who does NOT want someone up in her business uninvited. None of us know her but Martha telegraphs that loud and clear. That’s only allowed for the select few in her inner circle like Snoop!
I can’t stand Elon Musk and refuse to use X, so couldn’t see the video. How do we get Popcrave to not embed their videos via X?
I deleted X about two years ago and now I also refuse to click on links that are posted there. No gossip is so good that it’s worth using X.
Childhood issues aside, Drew is a scab with no boundaries. If you’re that starved for affection, get therapy. Pawing your guests as a “thing” is not cute.
Very succinctly and well said. Agree.
💯
Absolutely! how about modeling some consent Drew?
“May I scoot closer to you?” “May I touch your arm?”
MY GOD. Its so easy to be respectful
I can only imagine what the reaction would be if Jimmy Kimmel was rubbing up on all his guests. He’d be sued for sexual harassment and would be out of a job. It’s annoying and just so inappropriate and sets a terrible example for kids who might see her show.
I’ve enjoyed a few of her movies, Never been Kissed, Boys on the Side, and E T, but this type of behavior seems creepy.
I cannot stand Drew Barrymore. I am irrationally annoyed by literally everything about her (and rationally, see aforementioned scab and unwanted touching). She is so MUCH.
Thank you for letting me get that off my chest.
Terrible example to set as a host of a talk show millions of people watch. Especially after she’s been told this behavior is not ok. Ever watched Korean interviews/talk shows? The guests get pillows to hold! Drew needs some.