Chris Hardwick made his return to AMC's Talking Dead on Sunday night, and it was an emotional, candid experience for the host.
At the beginning of the talk show, recapping the events of Fear the Walking Dead's mid-season premiere, Hardwick took a moment to address how grateful he was to return as the host in an emotional monologue.
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"I really just want to take a minute and I want to say that I am so appreciative to be standing here right now," Hardwick revealed while on the verge of tears. "I want to thank you, The Walking Dead community, for all of your support these last couple of months. You know, this show is not just a job to me; this is a vital part of my life, you know?"
After allegations of sexual misconduct and emotional abuse by ex-girlfriend Chloe Dykstra surfaced in June, Hardwick was removed by the network from hosting the popular recap talk show along with moderating panels for The Walking Dead at Comic-Con International in San Diego. The network later conducted its own independent investigation on the allegations leading to Hardwick's reinstatement at the end of July.
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"This has been a sanctuary these last seven years we’ve been here," Hardwick continued. "This has been with me through good times and bad times and I have so much gratitude to you, the fans, and the producers and the amazing cast of both of these shows for allowing me to come here and be a part of this community every week. This is what this is: this is a community. And, you know, we’re on the precipice of a lot of changes on both Walking Dead shows in the coming weeks and months and I’m so looking forward to going on that journey with you."
Before concluding his monologue, Hardwick acknowledged Yvette Nicole Brown, who had replaced Hardwick as moderator at Comic-Con and been named interim replacement host for Talking Dead, as a "true friend" and "a gift on this planet".
"I’ve said the following words a million times, countless times, and I have never been more thankful than I am in this very moment to say to you that I am Chris Hardwick and this is Talking Dead."
(via Vulture)