‘Community’ Alum Yvette Nicole Brown Emerges as Fan Favorite to Replace Chris Hardwick on AMC

Self-proclaimed nerds are uniting behind Yvette Nicole Brown as the fan favorite to replace Chris Hardwick as the new “Talking” host for AMC. While the spot isn’t officially open yet — AMC is currently taking time to “assess the situation” — the network has suspended “Talking With Chris Hardwick” and the host will not moderate panels at this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego next month. Hardwick also hosts a handful of after-shows, including “Talking Dead” and “Talking Preacher,” among others following popular AMC mainstays. Fans online have taken it upon themselves to suggest replacement hosts, should AMC decide to let Hardwick go for good. “Community” actress Brown is a front-runner, at least when it comes to our Twitter search. Other popular suggestions include Aisha Tyler, who currently hosts “Unapologetic With Aisha Tyler,” a companion talk show to new drama “Dietland.” Felicia Day, Retta and Sam Maggs have also been thrown out there by fans.

AMC’s statement came after the host was accused by former girlfriend Chloe Dykstra in a Medium post of “controlling behavior” and “sexual assault” during their romantic relationship that ended four years ago. Although she didn’t mention Hardwick by name in Thursday’s post, the timing and key details suggested that she was referring to the former “@Midnight” host and Comic-Con mainstay.

NBC, where Hardwick hosts gameshow “The Wall,” announced Saturday that it too would “assess” its ties to Hardwick.

“These allegations about Chris Hardwick took us by surprise as we have had a positive working relationship with him,” the network said in a statement, adding, “we are continuing to assess the situation and will take appropriate action based on the outcome.”

Hardwick’s name was also scrubbed from the Nerdist website on Friday, which he co-founded in February 2012. The company was sold to Legendary Entertainment in July of that year.

“The company has removed all reference to Mr. Hardwick even as the original Founder of Nerdist pending further investigation,” a rep said, noting that his contract ended last December and he “had no operational involvement with Nerdist” for the previous two years.

Hardwick said in a statement Friday that “at no time did I sexually assault her.” He didn’t address her accusation of career retaliation.