Reason Talking Dead’ staff quit over Chris Hardwick’s return

Reason Talking Dead’ staff quit over Chris Hardwick’s return

Chris Hardwick isn’t getting a warm welcome back to work.Staffers at his show “Talking Dead” are quitting in protest over Hardwick’s Sunday return — two months after an ex-girlfriend accused him of mistreating her.A female executive producer and a “handful” of the show’s staff of approximately 25 have fled since AMC announced Hardwick would resume his role as host of the “Walking Dead” after show, according to a new report.The “Talking Dead” fallout comes days after Hardwick’s first TV appearance — on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” — since actress Chloe Dykstra penned an essay in June accusing him of sexual and emotional abuse.Hardwick is reportedly working to regain the support of the remaining “Talking” staffers.In a “very emotional” staff meeting called by Hardwick on Wednesday, according to sources cited by The Wrap, the comedian apologized for the ordeal.He also offered one-on-one meetings for any crew members with concerns.The cable host faced swift backlash after Dykstra published her essay on the blog, Medium.Less than 72 hours after the first-person piece hit the Internet, AMC suspended ”Talking Dead” — the day before its season debut.And Legendary Entertainment scrubbed all mention of Hardwick from the Nerdist website he founded.Hardwick also agreed to step away from upcoming moderator gigs at Comic-Con and from his various roles at AMC and NBC, while the networks conducted internal investigations.Dykstra alleged in her essay that she was prohibited from having male friends, drinking alcohol or speaking when the two were out in public during their three-year relationship.She also alleged she “let him sexually assault [her].”Dykstra did not name Hardwick, but he effectively outted himself when he denied the allegations.The 29-year-old actress defended her essay this week as Hardwick stepped back into the spotlight.“I 100% stand by every single word of my essay.I made sure it was unembellished, factual, and that I had evidence to back it up in order to protect myself in case of ACTUAL litigation (not a network investigation, where I’m not protected.)” Dykstra tweeted.AMC announced on July 25 that it was reinstating Hardwick following a “careful review” of the allegations.“We take these matters very seriously and given the information available to us … we believe returning Chris to work is the appropriate step,” the network said in a statement.NBC confirmed a week later it would bring the 46-year-old comedian back to the judge’s panel of “America’s Got Talent.”Nerdist restored his name to the website sometime last week.AMC could not be reached for comment.

[MT-tudt]

Let them quit. I'm so tired of a woman making a claim and then all the sudden a man's life is ruined without any evidence. Welcome back Chris.

[mikecannon]

I hate these robot read click bait videos.

[MartinsGarage]

So glad he's back and AMC didn't need those women on the set. The only fame his ex could get is from his coat tails by accusing him of something.

[ToddAdrianCross]

Dykstra only became famous because she was dating Hardwick. Now she will be even less of a nobody.

[robpetoletti]

Good for Chris Hardwick, I'm glad he's getting his shows and life back.

[samxf]

Everything Chloe Dykstra did was completely calculated she chose to release that so called essay at the Exact time that would hurt Chris Hardwick the most she knew he always moderated at comic con she knew his show on AMC was about to start back and his after shows soon after she wanted to hurt him as much as she possibly could she didn’t want justice for whatever happened she is just a vindictive ex that’s jealous of his success.

And for the women that quit on the show all I have to say is good luck with your unemployment

[nate]

Chris deserved getting his job back, the me too movement has many postives. This is an example of it being taken too far, and a negative example of taking everyone at their word without investigating the truth.

[Ms.Byrd]

Nowhere did this 'click bait' EXPLAIN the REASON the 25 staffers quit!

[michaelwolf]

Honestly if you were still working on Talking Dead after Hardwick was dropped from the show it was because you hoped you were going to either take his spot or be in a position to get a better deal from the replacement host. It's not like you were excited about the bright future of that show post-scandal. Chances are a number of those who are quitting the show are quitting because of what's happening on the shows they report on rather than anything so insignificant as the host's return.

[f.c.laukhard]

You should never wish anything bad to happen to others but it would surely be amusing if those quitters get falsely accused themselves one day.

[noone]

“29 year old actress…” that’s what’s really happening.

[jmswish]

If he did or didn't it should have no impact on job unless it happened at work. That's it.

[susanmatteo]

His mother n law got away with robbing banks and joining a terrorist group.I'm sure it helps to have wealthy in-laws and a powerful name to back you up.He seems like a soy boy but who can say what goes on in a relationship.