After receiving criticism from viewers who were “uncomfortable” with the pair’s most recent conversation, Oprah Winfrey has defended Drew Barrymore.

The Drew Barrymore Show has gotten up close and personal with its star guests, with Brooke Shields giving some emotional moments.

However, the TV presenter has recently come under fire for what some viewers feel is an ‘overbearing’ interview with Winfrey.

During her speech, Winfrey, 69, complimented Barrymore for the comfort she brought with her enormously famous talk show during the COVID-19 epidemic.

But while they chatted, Barrymore snuggled close to the TV talk show presenter, holding her guest with her right hand while carefully caressing her left arm.

“Something I learned about you, because I didn’t know this detail,” Barrymore added as she massaged Winfrey’s arm, “was that you would spend time with the audience outside of the show you were filming.”

Winfrey acknowledged her awareness, stating that audience involvement was certainly “necessary.”

“My crew used to be like, ‘Oh my God, how much time should you go spend talking to that audience?” she explained as Barrymore clutched her palm tighter.

The presenter was relieved when Winfrey agreed with her and let go of her hand.

“That’s why this is so difficult to do without an audience, and I was complimenting you on the fact that you got through it without an audience because it’s almost—because you’re not getting their energy,” Winfrey added.

“It’s their power. It’s their opinion. It’s determining whether or not what you’re saying is making an impact.

“Take a look at the lady in red. See? ” She’s nodding,” she observed of one of the audience members. “She’s the Amen choir. “So, congratulations for doing it alone.”

While it was an emotional interview, the touching contact did not go over well with viewers.

Many people flocked to social media to condemn Barrymore for it.

One user remarked on Instagram, “Drew, everyone doesn’t want their hands held, boo.”

“Oprah’s body language was so clear, she wanted her hand back,” a second said.

On the other hand, a third person commented: “Drew is too overbearing and cringey, and it doesn’t seem genuine the way she fawns all over her guests!!”

Following the backlash, Winfrey stepped forward to support Barrymore.

Winfrey responded, “Not at all,” when a TMZ photographer asked if she was “uncomfortable” with Barrymore’s antics during the interview. The massage of the arm genuinely made me feel better.”

“I went home and told Stedman, ‘You gotta stroke my arm,'” she added. I need to be stroked on the arm, Stedman.’ It’s quite soothing.

“No, I was not at all uneasy. I’d never seen her do it before, but I thought it was cute.”

UNILAD had already requested feedback from Barrymore’s representatives.