Chris Hardwick To Return To ‘Talking Dead’ Following Investigation

Following an investigation into abuse allegations, Chris Hardwick will return as host of AMC’s Talking Dead on August 12. Back in June, Hardwick’s ex-girlfriend Chloe Dykstra published an essay detailing emotional and sexual abuse she endured in a past relationship. She did not explicitly mention Hardwick by name, but certain identifying details pointed to him as the unnamed ex.

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Hardwick had been suspended from his hosting duties while AMC conducted the investigation. Based on their findings, network executives did not find reason to turn that suspension into a complete dismissal.

AMC released a statement, saying: “Following a comprehensive assessment by AMC, working with Ivy Kagan Bierman of the firm Loeb & Loeb, who has considerable experience in this area, Chris Hardwick will return to AMC as the host of Talking Dead and Talking with Chris Hardwick. We take these matters very seriously and given the information available to us after a very careful review, including interviews with numerous individuals, we believe returning Chris to work is the appropriate step.”

Hadwick’s Talking Dead return on August 12 will be for the aftershow of the Fear the Walking Dead midseason premiere. Frequent Talking Dead guest Yvette Nicole Brown had been serving as interim host during the investigation. She will remain host for the August 5 Walking Dead Season 9 preview special, and she is set to appear as a guest on the 12th when Hardwick returns.

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AMC has still not announced a return date for Talking with Chris Hardwick, whose season premiere was pulled from the schedule following Dykstra’s allegations.