Martha Stewart and Drew Barrymore are squashing the rumors of any “beef” between them once and for all.
Last November, the pair made headlines when Stewart lightly pushed Barrymore — who was casually petting her shoulder — away from her during a conversation about relationships on the latter’s talk show. But, as Stewart and Barrymore explained on Monday’s episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, the lighthearted incident wasn’t the start of any deep feud between them.
“People thought that we had beef — or that you had beef with me over that — and I didn’t get it,” Barrymore remarked. “I was so surprised.”
‘The Drew Barrymore Show’.
The Drew Barrymore Show/Ash Bean
Stewart appeared equally flummoxed by the idea. “Oh, I just don’t like to be petted on television,” she said, prompting Barrymore to sheepishly reply, “Understood, Martha. I won’t pet you again.”
The author and businesswoman explained that she’d seen Barrymore’s show before and was well aware of the host’s more physical approach to interviews, which often see her hold hands, rub shoulders, and hug guests.
“You pet a lot of people,” Stewart said. Speaking to the audience about Barrymore, she continued, “She’s a very cozy girl, don’t you think? I’m not so cozy.”
Barrymore didn’t consider that to be a bad thing, though. “It’s certainly not putting anyone off or turning them away because we’re all on the Martha Stewart feeder,” she said. “It’s true, and I think you’ve given people a lot of confidence in life through maintaining being true to yourself. That’s been a very guiding light for us.”
While visiting the show last November, Stewart gave Barrymore a little push after the host began to rub her shoulder while asking her about what makes her feel “soft and gooey” in relationships. Stewart, in response, rolled her eyes and gave her a little shove, adding, “You’re the wrong gender.”
To which Barrymore, who thumped dramatically onto the other side of the couch, quipped back, “I know! I know!”
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This isn’t the first time Barrymore has had to address the situation and whether or not she and Stewart were on good terms. While visiting Watch What Happens Live in February, the 50 First Dates actress clarified that the “internet just misunderstood the moment” and had a field day with it.
“I think she was just teasing,” Barrymore said at the time. “I’ve never been able to say this before with confidence, but I think I can now: I think Martha really does like me. And I think the internet just misunderstood the moment and ran with it.”
Barrymore’s up close and personal interview style has fielded both praise and criticism from viewers over the last six seasons of her hit talk show. She has admitted that she’s working on keeping a bit of distance between herself and guests these days and, to her credit, remained firmly on her side of the couch while chatting with Stewart on Monday.
Still, other guests like Cynthia Erivo have expressed their appreciation for Barrymore’s extra cozy interviews. Last week, Brett Goldstein even challenged her to a game of couch chicken, with the pair all but sitting in each other’s laps by the end of their conversation.
The Drew Barrymore Show airs weekdays on CBS.