Before true crime podcasts became popular, shows like COPS and America’s Most Wanted provided the perfect level of crime-stopping entertainment for the masses.
But in 2011, AMW was canceled. It would later resume on cable, but after performing poorly it was canceled yet again. Despite being responsible for capturing 1,000 criminals and counting since the program’s first airing in 1988, the show has remained off air until recently.
After having been off air for a decade why has it returned? Host John Walsh claims there are a few reasons why America needs AMW back on their television screens.
John and his son Callahan Walsh sat down with TMZ to discuss the newest season of AMW. During their interview, John explained why he was coming back to television for another season of the beloved show.
“The director of the FBI said, ‘We’re hoping you’re going to come out of retirement, [and] you’re going to come back because we’ve become a lawless society in many parts of America. We’re setting records for all kinds of violent crimes.’ “
Not only have the latest stats shown a need for AMW to return, but “the criminals have gotten smarter and the level of crime has gotten worse.”
The newest season won’t be limited to new crimes. Cold cases will also be investigated.
“With all the new technologies, some of those cases are getting solved,” John said. “There are so many cases that law enforcement are begging us to do,” he continued.
America’s Most Wanted airs Mondays on FOX.
