Will Smith’s ‘MIB3′ Beats … 
Cannes Podcast: Pete Hammond On ‘Lawless’, … 
Over-Achievers Of This Year’s Upfront 
Aussie Pay-TV Shakeup Impacts Hollywood 
USA: ‘Rebounding’ & ‘Modern … 
Interview: Philip Kaufman At Cannes With ‘Hemingway … 
R.I.P. Television Mogul Lee Rich 
Cannes Biz Shines Despite Wind & Rain 
Full 2011-2012 TV Season Series Rankings 
2011-12 Season Network Rankings: Fox Still On Top But Down, … 
HLN Set To Air Daytime Emmy Awards 
Grant Bowler Cast As Richard Burton Opposite Lindsay Lohan … 
UPDATE: Dish Network And Broadcasters Ask Courts To Decide … 
Cannes Surprise Screening: Change Of Plans On Juan Antonio … 
Kevin Hart In Talks To Join Kevin James In ‘Valet … 
Anthony Hopkins Up For ‘Red 2′ Villain; Can … 
Cannes Conflicted Over ‘The Paperboy’ As … 
RATINGS RAT RACE: ‘American Idol’ Posts … 
Ghost Of 2004 Hovers Over L.A. Screenings As Int’l … 
On The Road To Awards Season? Kerouac Book Finally Makes It … 
Michael Bay’s Name Pushed Paramount To Settle Injured … 
Following AMC’s most expansive promotional campaign, the cable network’s new drama The Walking Dead launched with more that 5.3 total million viewers last night, the largest audience for an original series on AMC. In adults 18-49, Walking Dead garnered 3.6 million viewers to become the highest-rated cable series premiere in 2010. In addition to the original 10 PM airing, AMC reran the Walking Dead pilot at 11:30 PM and 1 AM for a cumulative audience of 8.1 million viewers. “It’s a good day to be dead,” said AMC president Charlie Collier ”We are so proud of this series, its depth of storytelling and the remarkable talent attached.”
Based on Robert Kirkman’s comic book series, The Walking Dead was written and directed by Frank Darabont who is executive producing with Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert. Also joining the series as an executive producer is Charles “Chic” Eglee (Dexter).
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
Loading ...
Best show since The Wire.
Agreed. It was beyond awesome. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure if I would hook into a show about zombies, but it’s so much more than that. AMC continues not to disappoint.
Finally some well done horror on TV… am I the only one sick of angst filled teens falling in love with glittering vampires?
They shot a kid in the opening scene… albeit a zombii kid, but damn. Finally something that’s not a tired network cop, doctor or legal drama and miles above the shit they serve up on SyFFy-less
I’d give it even more praise. Far better than The Wire, which crapped out in its final season, and just a notch below the truly great TV series, Six Feet Under, The Sopranos, Mad Men, Breaking Bad and Dexter. There’s lot of potential here.
Thanks for your input, Mr. Darabont.
Yeah, tough to call it the best since THE WIRE after one ep… but thanks for your patronage.
big drop next week when people realize it was boring and pointless
You’re boring. That show was amazing and definitely the one the best shows on TV now.
SHUT YOUR MOUTH
I second that.
Boring? They were shooting zombies.
Maybe you got lost on your way to the SyFy Channel…
Duh, that’s what you do with a zombie. What would you have done? Kiss it?
Totally agree with next week’s big drop. I watched. The production value was beautiful but honestly there’s just no story. The character development was weak. And once you get past Halloween, most people are not going to want to spend time in zombie land. $5 bucks, next week AMC is looking at half the audience, at least. Look, this number is respectable for a network TRYING to define itself like AMC is, but on every other night this network is lucky to crack a million.
It’s not about the fact that the show was on during Halloween. It’s that they set up interesting characters and a situation that make you want to tune in and see what happens next. Isn’t that what compelling TV is supposed to do? I was the biggest skeptic, female, not interested in SciFi and I’m completely hooked.
Not to be a dick but you don’t have to use the word “bucks” if you use the dollar sign. They way you wrote it, it says “5 dollars bucks”. Sorry, that just really caught my attention. Also, the Walking Dead was great. Some of the edits bothered me but otherwise good start for a promising series.
ugh. you’re boring and pointless.
It is going to be an awesome ride!!
V
i loved this show. amazing all around! what unbelievable performances. a real coup for amc!
That’s a huge claim..If it comes even close, I’m in.
Great, great television. AMC is fast becoming a brand for the ages.
I hope this means it will be picked up for a second season.
It already got a second season pickup a couple of weeks ago.
Didn’t AMC come out real quick and say that officially a second season had not been ordered yet? Someone correct me if I’m wrong on that, but I thought news had spread that it was getting a second season, then AMC came out and said nothing was confirmed yet, or something like that.
If they can keep up the quality of the show, this will be a great series. The pilot created a great atmoshphere. The hospital scene was creepy, and the ending to the pilot was intense. I wonder how long they will be be able to keep it up.
The Stand, only the dead people aren’t dead. So so.
It’s a show for people with braaaaiiins!
Andrew Lincoln definitely put his best foot forward on the premiere episode. Cannot wait to see how this story unfolds for the next…only six episodes? Hopefully AMC prez Collier extends the order as it’s success grows.
Strong source material and direction will make this a hit for seasons to come.
The Walking Dead, Boardwalk Empire and Sherlock are the best shows on tv right now.
Dude, who the hell is watching Boardwalk Empire?
Many people are watching it on OnDemand. 12 million cumulative viewership
I do. Boardwalk Empire is one terrific show. But that doesnss’t detract from watching the Walking Dead. Did u ever hear of Tivo or DVR’s or just plain VCR’s? Watch it all.
Dear AMC-
are there only 6 eps shot??? Please go run out there right now and shoot more!!! Lets not wait a year for more eps…feed the beast!
The first season is only 6 episodes to best accommodate the source material as to avoid the atrociously boring True Blood affect in which half of the scenes over the course of the season are blatant filler. Good choice. It’ll pay off.
Awesome – can not wait until next week!!
I have not seen the movie yet but I saw the trailer and it’s not bad at all, I have liked it and sure, more have come to see this film.
It’s a TV show. And if you like good TV you’ll get a kick out of this.
Though the zomgenre is getting abit old, and there were definitely contrivances we’d seen before, WD made them it’s own. Will be interested in what comes next…
I thought it was pretty damn good, especially the second half and the ending. Good music.
Was VERY impressed. Thought the acting and pacing was strong, the make up was astonishing, and creepiness was through the roof.
Absolutely 5 stars out of 5. Probably the strongest series premier ever.
Is it on Hulu? I start watching TV shows 6 episodes in that way I don’t have that wait until next week feeling.
Wow, this show sucks. You know zombies are overdone when they find their way onto the small screen.
Nothing you said made sense on any level.
go watch Glee!
Thought it was worthy of the source material. Not so sure on the casting, but maybe it’s hard to divorce myself from the graphic novel.
Still love that there is a zombie drama on TV!
WOW. Farkin awesome. Bernthal was terrific. New fave show.
Watch “Terriers” on FX. Much better show.
AMC is really starting to nip at HBO’s heels, or should I say EAT THEIR BRAINS.