'The Walking Dead': Hardwick says fans need to keep the faith

Sheldon

Dreamsmasher
Chris Hardwick has a message for all "The Walking Dead" fans worried over the abrupt departure of the zombie saga's showrunner: Chill out.

"I know a lot of people are mad and disappointed," he says. "But you've got to hang in there and keep the faith."

Hardwick is the effusive host of "Talking Dead," the live "after-show" that follows each episode of the AMC drama. He says he was just as stunned as everyone else when showrunner Glen Mazzara announced that he was leaving due to a "difference of opinion" with AMC over the direction of the series.

It marked the second change at the top for "The Walking Dead" in just three seasons. Frank Darabont, who adapted the series from Robert Kirkman's comic books, was abruptly forced out as showrunner midway through Season 2.

Mazzara's departure was particularly startling, as it came in the middle of a season in which "The Walking Dead" became prime time's most popular show among viewers ages 18 to 49. Many fans thought the show became more tense and fast-paced under Mazzara's guidance.

Still, Hardwick says there's no need to panic.

"A lot of people freaked out when Glen came aboard, saying, 'Omigod, it's going to be the death of the show!' " he recalls. "And then, after half a season, people were saying, 'Oh wait, this is amazing.' People are afraid of change."

One thing that hasn't changed is the involvement of Kirkman, who remains on board.

"I think people need to credit him," Hardwick says. "He's the creator of the show. He's managed to keep the comic book series fresh for 10 years. If he's still on the show, it's going to be OK."

Of course, Hardwick has a stake in things. His after-show, which offers fans a discussion forum, expands from 30 minutes to an hour when "The Walking Dead" returns with fresh episodes Feb. 10. Will it be difficult to fill the extra time?

"Oh, not at all," he says. "We were rushed for time in the half-hour format. Now the conversations will have more room to breathe, and we'll have more opportunity for fan reaction."

Source: ‘The Walking Dead’: Hardwick says fans need to keep the faith
 
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