AMC’s TWDU Family Hangout is a solution to the content crunch

The TWDU Hangout was a great solution to a big problem for AMC

Throughout the pandemic, AMC has been bringing new content to viewers courtesy of Friday Night at the Morgans and the web series Bottomless Brunch with Colman (which was just renewed for more episodes). These shows have been the perfect way to give fans fresh new content when filming in person isn’t possible. The latest addition, the TWDU Family Hangout during Comic-Con at Home, is a great way to get the whole cast together for some much needed fun.

The pandemic wasn’t enough to keep members of The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead and World Beyond from getting together during SDCC. The virtual format gave AMC a chance to bring in actors from three shows in one event with minimal effort, and over the course of two hours the Family Hangout gave fans lots of laughs and memories.

After months of no new content, the Family Hangout (in addition to the panels during Comic-Con at Home) was a way to get fans together with the cast. Fans submitted questions so that there was an interactive element to it, and for the first time cast members got to interact with each other in a way we haven’t seen before.

Not only has AMC been getting creative with programming, but The Walking Dead Universe stars themselves have been bringing fresh new content to fans. From Karen David’s Tea with Karen to Dan Fogler’s podcast, and even Danay Garcia’s Instagram Live meetups several times each week, several cast members have created ways to interact with fans. What’s more is that they invite other members of the TWD Family to appear on their shows, giving fans an opportunity to see them interact outside of AMC and the show.

While there is no substitute for in-person events, there is something really special about being able to bring cast members from three shows together in an event that is free and open to everyone.

AMC could take advantage of the momentum created by Comic-Con at Home and have these Family Hangouts during the hiatus. Since everyone joins from the comfort of their own homes, there is no travel involved and members of the cast can join in without much effort. And since they’re home, fans get to see their favorite cast members in their own environments. (Colman Domingo’s house is a contender for best background!)

Let’s hope that AMC comes up with another virtual hangout in the coming months leading up to October, when all three shows will return to Sunday nights. It’s an easy way to bring everyone together and right now being together – even if we’re apart – is all that matters.