The iconic show “America’s Most Wanted” (AMW) makes its return to Fox for a third revamped season, resuming its slot at 9 p.m. on Mondays.
The series initially saw Elizabeth Vargas hosting its first rebooted season; however, John Walsh returned to the forefront, this time co-hosting alongside his son, Callahan Walsh, during last year’s revival.
This season marks a new chapter for AMW as it is now filmed at the Georgia Public Broadcasting headquarters in Atlanta, shifting from its previous location in Los Angeles where it was last shot.
John Walsh expressed gratitude over the move, referring to Georgia’s attractive tax credits, stating in a Zoom interview from West Palm Beach, Florida, “They’re giving us this wonderful deal. We have been treated wonderfully. It’s been first class. Cal and I are Florida boys so the flight is a lot shorter than Los Angeles.”
The core concept of AMW remains unchanged—highlighting criminals on the run and missing children, aiming to enlist viewer assistance in providing usable tips towards resolving these cases.
Innovatively, the show now incorporates aging techniques to estimate how alleged murderers or abducted children may look today, a crucial tool especially for cold cases.
In addition to case highlights, AMW brings family members of victims and experts to discuss pertinent social issues, such as the ongoing fentanyl crisis.
Unlike its original airings in the late 1990s and 2000s, where new episodes were a Saturday night fixture, Fox’s current commitment to AMW is comparatively modest.
Last year saw the airing of six episodes, and Fox is set to air seven more this spring, including a special retrospective that highlights the twelve most notable captures in the show’s lengthy history.
“We caught seven guys and recovered two missing kids last year,” Walsh noted, affirming his continued passion for this work at 79 years of age.
“It’s nice to be back in the major leagues on Fox!” he added, reflecting satisfaction in returning to mainstream television.
Following a decade away from Fox, Walsh engaged in various television-related projects, including serving as a spokesman for the Justice Network based in Atlanta and hosting programs like CNN’s “The Hunt with John Walsh” and ID’s “In Pursuit with John Walsh.”
However, AMW remains his passion project.
A notable enhancement in the show’s format is its availability beyond live broadcasts; episodes can now be watched on demand via Hulu, with clips also shared across major social media platforms.
Callahan Walsh shared an example from the previous year, recalling how a capture occurred six months after an episode aired, thanks to streaming—something that was less common in the show’s original run.
Having grown up on the set and becoming a production assistant, Callahan now oversees the show’s re-creations, describing them as thrilling mini-movies that involve casting actors, stunt drivers, and even pyrotechnics.
John Walsh expressed pride in his son’s role within the show, saying, “He’s a good, young guy. He has a lot of good habits and discipline. I know he can fill my boots.”
Despite approaching the age of 80, John Walsh’s on-screen intensity remains undiminished, characterizing fugitives in episodes aired last year with strong language, referring to them as “scum” and “dirtbags.”
AMW faces the challenging reality of an overwhelming number of cases that cannot all be addressed in the limited number of episodes available.
“The cases are so hard. It’s hard to turn people down,” the elder Walsh admitted, acknowledging the emotional weight of neglecting cases.
Callahan, however, takes a more objective approach, assisting in selecting the most significant cases for focus.
He expressed admiration for his parents’ relentless dedication to their mission, saying, “I’m here to pick up the slack and keep this going because there are so many guys out there and so many families desperate for justice.”
With ongoing new cases continually emerging, he reinforced the philosophy that “justice delayed is not justice denied.”
For families of victims, capturing criminals is not a remedy for their loss but offers a pathway to closure, allowing them to turn the page on a painful chapter.
Callahan poignantly remarked, “That hole left by Adam is filled little by little by the other families we help.”
AMW fans can tune in to catch new episodes on Fox or follow up on Hulu the day after airing.
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/2025/04/atlanta-now-home-to-foxs-americas-most-wanted-with-john-walsh-and-son/
