Drew Carey has been picking up the break and lunch tab for members of the Writers Guild of America throughout the 2023 writers strike, and at one of the two California restaurants where his offer stands, he has spent an estimated $400,000 to $600,000 and counting.
According to a post on the Substack newsletter Strikegeist, the bill for The Price is Right host’s ongoing act of solidarity has cost him “about $10,000 each week” at Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank, California. Aside from alleviating some of the financial burden for striking writers, the restaurant is conveniently located near the Warner Bros. studio lot where picketers have gathered daily.
“It really has created the Cheers atmosphere for us,” WGA strike captain Jono Matt shared. “So Drew, you rock.” Now read that last part again with The Drew Carey Show theme song in mind to appreciate why we need writers back to work for such seamless, nostalgic pop culture references.
Carey announced the offer back in May, only two weeks into the strike via Twitter. The offer also covers meals at Swingers Diner in the Fairfax neighborhood of Los Angeles and specifies “dine-in only” with “tip included.”
The WGA strike has lasted nearly five months, although several initiatives have been implemented to support union members and out-of-work staff and crew in the meantime. In August, the hosts of five late night talks shows, including Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, united for the weekly podcast Strike Force Five to benefit their respective writers, while an eBay fundraiser in September auctioned various unique celebrity interactions to aid the healthcare fund for crew members.
As the picketing continues, revisit our explainers on the WGA strike and concurrent SAG-AFTRA strike.
🚨Ateention #WGA Folks! 🚨
Show your WGA card at Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank or Swingers Diner on Beverly (near Fairfax) and your meal is free.
For the duration of the strike.
Dine-in only, Tip included.#WGAStrong #WGAStrike
Spread your the word 🙏❤️— ʎǝɹɐƆ ʍǝɹᗡ (@DrewFromTV) May 19, 2023