The Walking Dead Gets Another Season, Loses Another Showrunner

AMC released some news that acts as a double edged sword for fans of The Walking Dead: there will be a fourth season, but Glen Mazzara (showrunner) won’t be working on it. Publicly,  both parties said it was a mutual agreement. However, given AMC’s history of giving TWD’s showrunner’s the lifespan of a Spinal Tap drummer, there are murmurs that the split is less than amicable. Mazzara’s joint statement with AMC went a little something like this:

Today, AMC announces the season 4 pick-up of The Walking Dead. AMC also jointly announces with Glen Mazzara today that for future seasons, the two parties have mutually decided to part ways. Glen guided the series creatively for seasons 2 and 3. AMC is grateful for his hard work. We are both proud of our shared success. Both parties acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion about where the show should go moving forward, and conclude that it is best to part ways. This decision is amicable and Glen will remain on for post-production on [the remainder of the third season, which starts in February] as showrunner and executive producer.

There’s no way to tell if their “difference of opinion” would have hurt or bettered the show, but I do know that season 3 of The Walking Dead has earned itself a spot as my favorite show on television, so I’m a little worried about what’s going to happen once the new person takes over. Robert Kirkman showed his support of both parties saying he believes “the parties came to this decision in the best interest of the future of the show.”  He went on to thank Glen for his work and talked about the future: “I am also excited to begin work on another spectacular season of this show that I know means so much to so many people. This show has always been the result of a wide range of extremely talented men and women working tirelessly to produce their best work collectively. I believe the future is bright for The Walking Dead.  Thank you, to the fans, for your continued support.”

Having three showrunners for The Walking Dead in four seasons isn’t giving AMC the best of reputations. As a fan, I just hope they don’t mess with the formula they’ve have going on now, because I surely do love me some Walking Dead and can’t wait until February 9 when season three returns.

This is the Action Flick Chick, and you’ve just been kicked in the ass!