Martha Stewart appeared visibly uncomfortable during a lighthearted exchange with host Drew Barrymore on Tuesday’s episode of The Drew Barrymore Show. The 83-year-old lifestyle mogul was promoting her latest cookbook, Martha: The Cookbook, when Drew’s attempt at being overly affectionate caught her off guard.
The awkward moment began when Drew cosied up next to Martha on the couch, asking her if anything made her feel “soft and gooey.” Martha seemed unsure of the question, replying, “Soft and gooey… treatment.” Drew, leaning closer, began gently caressing Martha’s back and said, “When you’re treated like a lady.”
Martha, who appeared startled, gave an awkward smile before offering a quick-witted response: “You’re the wrong gender.” The comment elicited laughter from the studio audience, but the tension was palpable as Martha subtly distanced herself from Drew, signalling her discomfort with the unsolicited physical attention.
Drew, ever the good sport, collapsed dramatically on the opposite side of the couch and joked, “I know… Although, the way it’s going with men, though, Martha, I’m not so sure anymore.”
The exchange reflects Drew’s tendency to blur the boundaries of personal space with her guests, a behaviour that has been noted by viewers in the past. In a 2024 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Drew addressed her “touchy-feely” approach, admitting that she often struggles with maintaining physical distance. “I will try to practice physical distance, though it’s not my strong point,” she said. “We’re always going to be big on joy, laughter, and feeling good. That was something that I always wanted to do but I never thought we would launch in a pandemic. And trying to lean into the joy and the feel-good comedy at that time was real weird and wacky.”
While Drew’s spontaneous gestures are part of her playful charm, this particular moment with Martha Stewart may have crossed an unspoken line, leaving some viewers questioning the boundaries of personal space on talk shows.