on-air last year, Barrymore referred to her 2016 split from her children’s father, businessman Will Kopelman, as “the most devastating thing I’ve ever gone through in my life.” She waited years to start dating again, and her experiences back in the game make for some of the more candid moments on her show. In February, Barrymore, a frequent guest, about working up the courage to approach a handsome stranger in Central Park.
There is one line she draws: “I am a g--d--- Doberman when it comes to my kids.” She has turned away opportunities for them to appear in commercials — or even on her show — and admits she struggles with figuring out how to bring them along on her unpredictable Hollywood journey. She expects Olive, 9, and Frankie, 7, to become frustrated with their overprotective mother, but has made peace with the inevitability.
The lightheartedness extends to the mood on set. While the crew prepares for the first of two tapings on Barrymore’s birthday, she yells for the sound guy to blast “that Post Malone song” and later requests a new single by Sabrina Carpenter, an upcoming guest. He obliges, though neither track is particularly good. Barrymore is constantly studying up for interviews, which she says helps her avoid feeling “naked and like a fraud.