It’s a bit of a slow news day, so I figured here was a perfect opportunity to point a spotlight on the surprisingly splendid reaction which has greeted AMC’s “The Walking Dead” so far.
In case you weren’t aware, “The Walking Dead” is a gigantic hit. It has become a ratings smash for AMC and was renewed for a second season after only two episodes. If further proof of its prosperity is needed, check out the new Entertainment Weekly, which has put the zombie epic on its cover and declared it “The Best New Show On TV”. For a program that has so far brought us such memorable moments as a cop shooting a young (zombified) girl in the forehead and a group of people coating themselves in the entrails of a corpse, I think it’s safe to say that we haven’t seen anything quite like the crossover success horror – real horror – is having on television as we are right here.
It shall be interesting to see if “The Walking Dead” is able to keep people’s interest piqued after this short season ends and the long wait until next season begins. (It most likely won’t return until October 2011.) Then again, it has already passed the real test, hooking viewers week after week with little-to-no drop off in audience numbers (it just about averages 5 million viewers). Now Frank Darabont and Co. have to try and top it next year. Good luck!
Sarah Wayne Callies