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?
LOVE Last Man Standing!!! Can’t wait for its return!! Had the amazing opportunity to see a taping this season and my whole family was thrilled to be there!! LOVE the WHOLE cast but especially love Hector Elizondo!!
Last Man Standing is my family’s favorite show!
Could you bring the original Boyd back? Having a Boyd closer in age to the baby makes more sense anyway.
yes, please
Love Last man standing. My favorite show.
I want last man standing to come back on,it is a very good show, I have watched it since it has been on
Please renew!!
It has been my family’s favorite since it begain. It tells the conservative point of view. In my viewing it is the only show that is not liberal. TV is full of liberal views. It is refreshing to view a show that displays Conservative principles. Mike is a great actor and the cast looks like they actually like one another.
Bring it back
K
Absolutely renew Last Man Standing. One of the best shows on TV. Look forward to it every week.
I would like to see the show continue, IF they get rid of Jen. She has absolutely ruined the show. I mute every scene she is in. Horrible horrible actress. Come on Tim save your show cut loose the exchange student, she brings NOTHING to the show..
I would be very disappointed if the show didn’t come back. It would be another mistake. Live the show. Look forward to the comedy each week.
Love the show. Bring old Mandy back.
Love the show
Bring back old Msndy
Hoping LMS comes back…great show..and also I personally prefered the old Boyd…the new one was simply annoying….Jen is ok but at times seems out of place…and the big one, more Eve.
I love Last Man Standing! If you could get original Mandy back it’d be even better. I live this show and hope it goes to a 9th, 10 th…seasons
I absolutely love Last Man Standing! I watch the show religiously, even the reruns! Tim Allen is one of my all time favorite comedians/actors. I love how Tim makes references to his past work especially when he adds the Home Improvement skits. Although I’m not too crazy about the new Mandy change, I understand why it had to happen, but it shouldn’t have been such a dramatic change. I think the fans would have been a little more forgiving if the new Mandy was more like the old Mandy. I can see why the change was necessary but that’s just… Read more »
I love last Man Standing. BUT CANNOT STAND THE NEW MANDY. SHE DOES NOT FIT THE PART. WATCHING HER MAKES ME CRINGE PLEASE BRING BACK THE OKD MANDY. Start on working to get her back. You have plenty of time now to get her to come back. Please please bring back our great acting old Mandy. Miss her so much. We live her.