While I was on vacation last month, I missed some major news about "The Walking Dead," one not surprising, one a bit more so. I may as well catch you all up in case you missed it, too:

Not surprising: AMC has renewed its biggest hit ever for a fourth season. That's about as big a no brainer as any zombie out there would know. Season three, the drama is averaging 9 to 10 million viewers a week in first airing with 18-49 ratings comparable to some of the biggest broadcast hits such as "The Big Bang Theory" and "Modern Family." The mid-season finale in November drew 10.5 million viewers.

It returns next month, Sunday, Feb. 10, for eight more episodes.  We quickly find out how the Dixon brothers escape a major pickle: one captured, one accused of treason by the Governor, surrounded by angry townsfolk and a frightened Andrea.

Surprisng: Show runner Glenn Mazzara, who took over for Frank Darabont during season two, was cut last month. Two show runners cut on a show as popular as "The Walking Dead'? Highly unusual.

The Hollywood Reporter says "Walking Dead" comic book creator Robert Kirkman (also an executive producer) didn't get along with Mazzara.

Two of Mazzara's buddies who worked with him on "The Shield" tweeted nasty comments directed at Kirkman and AMC:

Shawn Ryan (Last Resort) tweeted, "It's a real question now why good showrunners should sell to AMC."

Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy) declaring that AMC had sent Mazzara "a gift basket filled with … broken promises and the marinated tongue used to lick Kirkman's ***."

This comment in the story should alarm us about the second half of the season:

One source says Mazzara's shortcomings in running the series during the most recent third season became "abundantly clear … especially for the second half of the season." This source says production was shut down "several times" because of a lack of material.

Lack of material? What?

Mazzara commented at a NATPE conference today about the situation: “When people involved with the show are looking at the long-term plan, you know, they want something different. And what those differences are, you’d have to ask AMC," he said.

Mazzara has been replaced by Scott M. Gimple, a supervising producer for the show.

The program is shot primarily in Senoia.