What’s next for Last Man Standing? Recently, star Tim Allen and executive producer Kevin Abbott spoke with TVLine and TVInsider about the future of the FOX TV show.
The sitcom revolves around Mike Baxter (Tim Allen), the marketing director of the Outdoor Man sporting goods stores and a “man’s man”. His family doesn’t see eye-to-eye with him so it can sometimes be a little tough for Mike to stand his ground and stay in touch with his inner man. The cast also includes Nancy Travis, Hector Elizondo, Amanda Fuller, Christoph Sanders, Molly McCook, Jordan Masterson, Jonathan Adams, and Krista Marie Yu.
Last Man Standing just wrapped its eighth season after production was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. EP Kevin Abbott told TVInsider they didn’t intend episode 21 to be the finale:
Had I known even what it was going to be like … I believe we would have changed some things in Episode 21 … I said, “Episode 21 can’t be the season finale. We sent Kristin off in labor. You can’t end a season like that.” Of course, you totally can, it’s a great season ending as a cliff hanger. When a show is as late in its run as we are, I’d feel an obligation not to end on a cliff hanger because we might not come back. I don’t want to pose some big issue and then not be able to answer for our devoted fans. So I really wanted to shoot Episode 22 and I held on for as long as I could, but it was obvious that we couldn’t do that, we couldn’t guarantee safety of everybody involved. So we had to shut down.”
And what about a ninth season? FOXhas not yet announced a renewal but Abbott feels “confident” the series will return:
I mean, I think we’re in the situation we were in last year in terms of if it were a normal year. I would feel very confident that we would be back. As confident as you can feel in this general environment. I would say we would be favored to come back, let’s put it that way. And in that instance, I would want to shoot the show that we didn’t get to shoot because it’s a great episode. I can’t imagine that in this changed universe that that exact episode could just be re-shot and put on the air and feel correct, you know what I mean? Hospitals changed drastically. People now have a very different opinion of hospitals than when we shot that episode.”
Lastly, fans may have noticed Boyd’s (Jet Jurgensmeyer) absence during season eight. Abbott told TVLine the actor had another commitment at the time:
Actually, the actor [Jet Jurgensmeyer] had another commitment. He’d asked to do another show, so we had let him out…”
What do you think? Do you watch Last Man Standing? Do you want a ninth season?
Please bring back Molly Ephraim! Offer her whatever she wants to get her back. This show could go on for years, if you get her back. She and Kyle had perfect chemistry! They were half the reason I watched the show. It’s a great show, but is definitely not the same without Mandy and Eve. The original Mandy. I hope the creators of the show realize they really need to try hard to get her back. I’m afraid it could be their last year, if they don’t and I don’t want to see that happen.
Bring Molly Ephraim back. The new Mandy is terrible. Every time I start watching Last Man Standing, I end up changing the channel. Seasons 1-6 were great.
LOVE IT don’t want it to go away!
I’d definitely love to see another season on Last Man Standing.
Most definitely like more seasons!
Last Man Standing is my favorite show. I would love to see Eve come back as a regular. At first I didn’t like the new Mandy but I’ve grown to like her., she is doing a great job. Please come back with Season 9.
Please renew Last Man Standing. Except for the new Mandy I love this show!!
Unfortunately the show has not been the same (not as good) since Mandy and Eve ( only rare appearances now) aren’t on….and adding the foreign exchange student hasn’t worked…her lines aren’t funny….and didn’t even miss Boyd to be honest.
I prefer the older reruns, especially the 1st year episodes than the new episodes.
I guess the writers are running out of material….however I would still like to see another season..not a half season like this year.
The actor who plays the exchange student is a star in the making. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I do miss the original Mandy and the shoes were big to fill but the new Mandy is doing a pretty good job. Also I find the material still very good. I’m not sure what show you’re watching.
I love this show from the first episode! This 8th season has been awkward from the first episode. The new Mandy is not even close to being right for the part. If Molly Ephraim was unable to return for whatever reason, they could have wrote her off the show by sending Mandy to Paris for a job of a lifetime. Mandy and Kyle had real chemistry. This new one doesn’t. It’s like watching a brother and sister to fake being attracted to each other. And bring back the original Boyd. This new one makes me think the show is pandering… Read more »
While I agree that although the new Mandy is doing a good job, the original what’s the best. The writing however is just as good and the exchange student is very good and will be a star.
Bring it back!!! A favorite.
Love this comedy! One of the BEST!!! Really, really hope it has another season…extremely disappointed if that was the end of it!!!