Chris Hardwick has officially been reinstated by AMC as the host of the popular Talking Dead series that immediately follows The Walking Dead on Sunday nights. Hardwick had been fired by the company after a story in which Chloe Dykstra alleged abuse and said to have evidence on the matter – but it was never released.
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.”
Some had began to speculate that Dykstra’s story came off as a vengeful ex, as Hardwick’s other past ex-girlfriends came out to defend the popular host. The internet already is buzzing about AMC’s decision:
The Chris Hardwick situation and the reaction to it makes me ashamed of my sex. A bitter ex tried to destroy his life and reputation and most people followed it hook line and sinker
Now, he’s cleared after an investigation and people still claim he’s guilty. (1)
— Lily Forrester 💋 (@LilyForresterxx) July 25, 2018
Chris Hardwick: Gets accused. No proof.
Twitter: He is an asshole.
Chris Hardwick: Gets cleared by a thorough investigation. Plus proof his accuser lied.
Twitter: He’s a guilty asshole.A MAN CAN BE FOUND INNOCENT & STILL BE TREATED AS GUILTY BY TWITTER. This place is terrible.
— max (@maxfozzy) July 25, 2018
What is the proof the accuser lied? I missed that part.
— J+ (@jacobbbplus) July 25, 2018
There wasn’t any proof and his in-laws own the law firm…
— Casual Gamer Trash (@Shippygem) July 25, 2018
What was the proof that he did anything?
— Donald (@donaldsangry) July 25, 2018
Glad Chris Hardwick was cleared of everything after a thorough investigation by his *adjusts glasses* in-laws’ law firm
— Shane (@shandrick) July 25, 2018
I understand why they’d let Chris Hardwick back despite the abuse allegations against him. It’s hard to find diminutive, half-charismatic nerds to talk about the shit they like at great length
— Patrick Cosmos (@veryimportant) July 25, 2018
The outpouring of fanboy/girl glee and triumph over Chris Hardwick getting his job back underscores the point that women have nothing to gain from coming forward. I expect Dykstra wrote her essay expecting Hardwick would suffer little to no consequences.
— Khaleesi Griff (@keltothelean) July 25, 2018
Beware, though, if you ask a question on Twitter – you’ll get accused of something, or get a sarcastic response that doesn’t answer your question:
I don’t agree with your statement. Women have plenty to gain if they are telling the truth. AMC did their job. They investigated the matter and came to a conclusion that the allegations against Hardwick are false. Why then shouldn’t he be reinstated?
— grayson84 (@cpates84) July 25, 2018
Thank you, Commander, for this lesson in women’s ethics. Blessed be the fruit.
— Khaleesi Griff (@keltothelean) July 26, 2018
There has to be evidence of a crime or abuse. We live in a society where someone can literally claim anything about you to make a targeted mob to attack you. He was investigated and they turned up nil, at some point you have to wonder if the claim is legit.
— Sevv09 on Mixer (@Sevv09) July 25, 2018
Chris Hardwick is trash and so is @AMC_TV.
— Abby Gleason (@abbygleason) July 25, 2018
fuck chris hardwick. fuck joss whedon. fuck all the dudes who get away with it.
— olga is my name because i’m an immigrant (@runolgarun) July 25, 2018
if you are honestly defending chris hardwick online at this point, go to a doctor immediately: you have advanced late stage funko-pop toxoplasmosis
— BAKOON (@BAKKOOONN) July 25, 2018
In case you are unfamiliar with how Twitter ultimately works, if someone accuses you of something, you’re automatically guilty. Even, as this case proves, if you are found to be innocent, you are still guilty. The Twitter mob won’t stop.