AMC renews 'Walking Dead' for a third season

LOS ANGELES?? Surging to record high ratings in the first two episodes of its second season, AMC's "The Walking Dead" just earned itself a third campaign.

Through the first two suspense-packed episodes of season two, AMC noted in its renewal announcement that the zombie-apocalypse drama has broken cable ratings records in the 18-49 demo.

1. More Entertainment stories
   1. One 'Loser' gains pounds, others gain love

      With Halloween just around the corner, ?The Biggest Loser? gang celebrated with sweet temptations, romantic relations and one scary weigh-in Tuesday night.

   2. 'Dancing' finally boots a less talented hopeful
   3. Kutcher and Cryer lock lips on 'Men'
   4. Lindsay Lohan to pose for Playboy?
   5. They don't make shows like 'Barney Miller' now

Despite the turmoil that came with Glen Mazzara replacing Frank Darabont as show runner, hordes of viewers have tuned in to see the fate of sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his band of survivors.

The Oct. 16 season premiere broke a basic cable record set nearly 10 years ago for a single drama telecast ("The Dead Zone"). The 90-minute episode scored a 4.8 household rating, and 7.3 million total viewers.

The 4.8 million viewers in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic represented a 36 percent uptick over last season's average. The 4.2 viewers in the 25-54 demo were up 38 percent.

Story: Did 'The Walking Dead' just kill 'Pan Am'?

Excited for more "Walking Dead"? What do you think of the season so far? Share your thoughts on the Facebook page for our TV blog, The Clicker.

Copyright 2011 by TheWrap.com

Source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45038228/ns/today-entertainment/

brady quinn brady quinn nick fairley barry sanders barry sanders tim allen enlightened