Last Man Standing (U.S. TV series)
Genre Sitcom
Created by Jack Burditt
Starring
Tim Allen
Nancy Travis
Alexandra Krosney
Molly Ephraim
Kaitlyn Dever
Christoph Sanders
Héctor Elizondo
Amanda Fuller
Flynn Morrison
Jordan Masterson[1]
Jonathan Adams[1]
Composer(s) Monte Montgomery
Carl Thiel
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 6
No. of episodes 130 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Tim Allen
Becky Clements
Marty Adelstein
Richard Baker
Rick Messina
John Pasquin
Producer(s)
John Amodeo
Shawn Levy
Cinematography Donald A. Morgan
Editor(s) Pamela J. Marshall
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time 21 minutes
Production company(s)
21 Laps-Adelstein Productions
Double Wide Productions/NestEgg Productions (season 1)
Mr. Big Shot Fancy-Pants Productions, Inc. (seasons 2–4)
Lyonsberry Productions (season 5–6)
20th Century Fox Television
Distributor 20th Television
Release
Original network ABC
Picture format 720p (HDTV)
Original release October 11, 2011 – March 31, 2017
External links
Website
Last Man Standing is an American television sitcom starring Tim Allen that aired on ABC from October 11, 2011 to March 31, 2017.[2][3]
On May 10, 2017, ABC canceled the series after six seasons.[4]
Contents [hide]
1 Premise
2 Cast and characters
2.1 Main
2.2 Recurring cast
2.3 Notable guest stars
3 Episodes
4 Production
4.1 Development and casting
4.2 Filming
4.3 Cancellation
5 Reception
5.1 Critical reception
5.2 Ratings
5.3 Awards and nominations
6 Syndication
7 Broadcast
8 References
9 External links
Premise[edit]
The series follows Mike Baxter, a senior executive and director of marketing for an outdoor sporting goods store chain based in Denver, Colorado, whose world is filled with his wife, three daughters, and grandson.
Cast and characters[edit]
Main[edit]
Tim Allen as Michael "Mike" Baxter
Mike is a father of three daughters and the director of marketing for the Outdoor Man chain of sporting goods stores. He fervently supports traditional American values, is a Protestant and is politically conservative. Mike loves his daughters but says his favorite is Eve, the youngest and most athletic daughter, and whose political opinions and interests mirror his own. He is proud of her ability to excel at anything she tries, including school work, hunting, and playing sports. Mike often finds himself annoyed with Outdoor Man's young slow-witted employee Kyle, and with Ryan, his politically liberal son-in-law and the father of Mike's grandson Boyd. The video blog or "vlog" that Mike does for Outdoor Man is frequently used as a vehicle to rant about his political views. Mike is a graduate of the University of Michigan, and an amateur radio operator using the call sign KA0XTT.[5]
Nancy Travis as Vanessa Baxter, Mike's wife
Vanessa is a geologist working in the energy industry for a company that does hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking". In season four, Vanessa becomes frustrated with her job and decides to become a high school science teacher. Vanessa was ambiguous in her political views until season five, when she announces she is supporting Hillary Clinton for president, mainly because she thinks it will advance women's causes. She is also shown drinking wine frequently, and nearly as frequently mocked by Mike and her daughters about it. She is a graduate of Ohio State University. Vanessa has a tendency to put her foot in her mouth when around people of other races. Despite this, she and her African-American neighbor Carol Larabee seem to get along. Vanessa's humor tends to include puns.
Amanda Fuller (seasons 2–6) and Alexandra Krosney (season 1) as Kristin Beth Baxter, the oldest daughter.
Kristin, unlike her father, espouses more liberal beliefs. During her senior year of high school, Kristin became pregnant with her son, Boyd. She was a single mom living in the Baxter home until moving out in the season two finale. She began to reconcile with Boyd's father, Ryan, in season three, and the two get married between seasons four and five. Kristin worked at a diner until landing a job at an upscale restaurant run by a former co-worker at the end of season two. In season four, she becomes the manager of the new restaurant opened by Outdoor Man. Kristin tends to work extra hard in this new job to prove she did not get the position through nepotism, despite Mike and Ed frequently telling her she was qualified. Alexandra Krosney portrayed Kristin in the show's first season, but she was replaced by Amanda Fuller prior to season two for unspecified creative reasons.[6]
Molly Ephraim as Amanda Elaine "Mandy" Baxter, the middle daughter.
Mandy is nowhere near as intelligent as her sisters, but excels in social situations. Interested in fashion, she was one of the most popular girls at her high school. Mandy is very confident and creative, demonstrating traits found in her father. Unlike the rest of the family, she is usually lazy, conceited, and selfish, but occasionally displays moments of generosity and caring. She started dating Kyle in season 2. As of season three, she is attending a local college and working at the diner where Kristin used to work. Later that same season, she begins an online clothing business, selling her self-designed fashions which she assembles in the basement of her parents' house. Kyle asks her to marry him in season 5, the 100th episode. She marries Kyle in season six, but they have yet to move out of the Baxter home. Up until she turned 21, a running gag on the show was Mike, Vanessa, and occasionally Kristin snatching glasses of alcohol out of Mandy's hand, usually followed by Mandy making a lame excuse.
Kaitlyn Dever as Eve Baxter, the youngest daughter.
Eve is an intelligent, athletic tomboy and generally has the same interests as Mike, including camping, sports, guns, and the military. She is Mike's favorite daughter, and excels at her hobbies. She frequently outplays the boys in soccer and makes the boys' football team as their placekicker. She is well aware of being the favorite over her two sisters. Eve has also inherited her father's sense of humor, and her trademark sarcastic wit is frequently directed at clueless sister Mandy. Eve is a member of Army Junior ROTC and works toward gaining admittance to West Point. Her first attempt to do so is unsuccessful. In season six, Eve has decided to take a "personal year" rather than immediately attend college. She spends some of this time singing and playing guitar for money, but this proves to be unfruitful. During her gap year, Eve applies to the Air Force Academy in nearby Colorado Springs, and is accepted.
Christoph Sanders as Kyle Anderson, a young employee at Outdoor Man.
Kyle is universally recognized as a good guy. Kyle idolizes Mike, having grown up without a father figure. Kyle takes care of his grandmother who has dementia, and it is implied he grew up in her home. Kyle is often oblivious to social cues and is slow to catch on to the events happening around him. Kyle dated Kristin in season one and started dating Mandy in season two before proposing in season five, and marrying Mandy in season six.
Héctor Elizondo as Edward "Ed" Alzate, Mike's longtime boss.
Ed started a bait and tackle shop many years ago and hired Mike, who helped turn the shop into the 20-store Outdoor Man chain.[7] Ed is perhaps fifteen years older than Mike, but the two men bond over similar outdoor hobbies and shared conservative values. Mike regularly talks to Ed about the happenings in his home and occasionally seeks advice. Having been divorced four times, Ed's suggestions are rarely helpful. Ed is a Vietnam veteran, although he saw no combat in Vietnam, stating that he was a clerk in Saigon. He continues to help fellow veterans at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars hall with their Veteran Affairs paperwork. Ed is also a recurring target for jokes about his age, most often from Mike. It is revealed in season 6 that Ed has early onset dementia.
Flynn Morrison (regular, seasons 2–6) and Evan and Luke Kruntchev (recurring, season 1) as Boyd Baxter, Kristin's son.
Mike enjoys spending quality time with his grandson Boyd, and affectionately views him as the son he never had. Mike and Ryan often clash on how he should be raised. Boyd enjoys activities encouraged by both his father and grandfather.
Jordan Masterson (regular, seasons 4–6; recurring, seasons 2–3) and Nick Jonas (guest star, season 1) as Ryan Vogelson, Boyd's Canadian father.
Though Ryan initially fled when Kristin got pregnant, the two reconciled and got engaged at the end of season 3. Ryan holds staunchly liberal views, both politically and philosophically. He and Mike routinely clash over their fundamentally opposing values, especially when it comes to child-rearing. Many of Ryan's atheistic and liberal views are hypocritical, as Mike is often quick to point out. Ryan wishes to raise his son without religion and patriotism, but neither Mike nor Kristin allow this. His vegan diet, political correctness, views on discipline, and general sensitivity are an affront to Mike's beliefs. On rare occasions, Ryan agrees with Mike on what is best for Boyd's future, but this usually winds up creating rifts with Kristin or Vanessa.
Jonathan Adams as Chuck Larabee (regular, seasons 4–6; recurring, seasons 2–3), Mike and Vanessa's neighbor.
Chuck is a retired U.S. Marine and a veteran of the first Gulf War who runs a private security business and later takes charge of security for the Denver Outdoor Man. Chuck is an African-American, and often jokes with Mike about racial stereotypes. Mike and Chuck regularly exchange barbs as if they don't like each other. In reality, they are good friends, despite being unwilling to admit it. Vanessa sees right through their heated exchanges, often telling them to "get a room".
Recurring cast[edit]
Robert Forster as Bud Baxter (seasons 1, 3–4), Mike's widower father who is initially in the construction business, but later opens a marijuana store after it becomes legal in Colorado.
Erika Alexander as Carol Larabee (seasons 2–5), Chuck's wife and Mike and Vanessa's neighbor. She is also Vanessa's best friend. Vanessa often goes overboard trying to act racially open-minded around her, but usually ends up looking foolish and annoying Carol.
Carla Jimenez as Blanca (seasons 2–4), the Baxters' housekeeper who also helps Mandy with her fashion business.
Sarah Gilman as Cammy Harris (seasons 2–6), Eve's soccer teammate and extremely chatty best friend.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas as John Baker (seasons 2–3), Kristin's boss at a fancy restaurant where she works. Thomas also guest-starred as "Randy" (a nod to his Home Improvement character) in the season 4 episode "Helen Potts", with fellow Home Improvement co-star Patricia Richardson.
Christina Moore as April (seasons 1 & 3), Vanessa's air-headed and immature younger sister. She is always asking for money.
Danielle Bisutti as Michelle (season 1), Vanessa's friend and next-door neighbor; she is a meteorologist.
Tye Sheridan as Justin (seasons 3-4), Eve's fellow Jr. ROTC member and football teammate who becomes her boyfriend. The two break up in season 4.
Zachary Gordon as Andrew (season 3), Eve's nerdy classmate who worships her and desperately wants to be her boyfriend.
Joely Fisher as Wendi Gracin (seasons 3–5), Ed's meddling younger girlfriend, whom he meets near the end of season three. Ed routinely has to put her in her place, particularly when she tries to get involved in decisions pertaining to his business. Wendi deserts Ed offscreen between Seasons 4 and 5, but the two patch things up and reunite.
Jay Leno as Joe Leonard (seasons 5–6), a semi-retired auto technician from whom Vanessa buys a classic car for Mike. Joe later works in the repair shop at Outdoor Man, servicing ATVs and snowmobiles.
Travis Tope as Rob (season 6), Eve's boyfriend who is studying criminal justice at UC Boulder. He's a recovering alcoholic, which worries Mike and Vanessa when they first meet him.
Notable guest stars[edit]
Several notable guest stars have appeared throughout the series, including appearances made from cast members of Tim Allen's previous series, Home Improvement.[citation needed]
Jere Burns (4.22) as Victor Vogelson, Ryan's estranged father
Blake Clark (5.16) as Clark, the owner of a club in which Eve performed
Andrew Daly (1.16)
Bill Engvall (5.21, 6.7 & 6.18) as Reverend Paul
Michael Gross (3.19) as Mr. Hardin
Tony Hawk (1.12) as himself
Nick Jonas (1.10) as Ryan in his first appearance
Kim Kardashian (1.16) as herself
Richard Karn (2.9 & 2.17) as Bill McKendree. Karn portrayed Al Borland, co-worker and friend to Tim Allen's character on Home Improvement
Reba McEntire (5.19) as Billie Cassidy, Mike's college girlfriend
Frankie Muniz (1.18) as Richard
Cassandra Peterson (1.4) as Elvira
Patricia Richardson (4.12 & 5.17) as Helen Potts, the Baxters's widowed neighbor. Richardson portrayed Jill Taylor, the wife of Tim Allen's character in Home Improvement
Robin Roberts (5.17) as Teresa, a tank mechanic and Persian Gulf War veteran
Si Robertson (3.1)
Willie Robertson (3.1)
Mike Rowe (1.18) as Jimmy Baxter, Mike's younger brother
Jamie-Lynn Sigler (1.13) as Gabriella Alzate, one of Ed's five daughters
Tony Stewart (1.17) as himself
Paul F. Tompkins (1.2) as Chester McAllister
Episodes[edit]
Main article: List of Last Man Standing episodes
Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 24 October 11, 2011 May 8, 2012
2 18 November 2, 2012 March 22, 2013
3 22 September 20, 2013 April 25, 2014
4 22 October 3, 2014 April 17, 2015
5 22 September 25, 2015 April 22, 2016
6 22 September 23, 2016 March 31, 2017
Production[edit]
Development and casting[edit]
Last Man Standing first appeared on ABC's development slate in late 2010 when writer Jack Burditt received a put pilot commitment from the network under the original title Man Up.[8] In January 2011, ABC green-lighted production of a pilot episode under the title Last Days of Man.[9][10] On February 18, Tim Allen, who had been attached to the potential series from the beginning, officially joined the project in the lead role.[11][12][13] At the end of March, Nancy Travis joined the cast in the leading female role as Allen's "smart and loving wife who doesn't miss much".[14][15][16] Soon thereafter, Héctor Elizondo came on board in a supporting role as the boss to Allen's character.[17]
Filming[edit]
On May 13, 2011, ABC picked up the pilot for the 2011–2012 television season under the new title Last Man Standing.[18] On May 17, 2011, ABC announced that the series would air on Tuesday nights at 8 Eastern/7 Central.[19] It debuted on October 11, 2011, with the first two episodes airing in a one-hour premiere.[20]
On November 3, 2011, the series was picked up for a full season of twenty-two episodes.[21] On January 12, 2012, the order was increased to twenty-four episodes.[22]
On May 11, 2012, ABC renewed the series for a second season set to air in the 2012–2013 season in November.[23][24]
On June 11, 2012, Tim Doyle was hired as the new showrunner of the series. Doyle was the third showrunner that the series had had since it entered production. Doyle replaced Kevin Abbott, who joined the staff as the showrunner mid-way in the first season. Abbott replaced series creator Jack Burditt, who was the showrunner for the first thirteen episodes. Unlike Burditt, who is no longer credited as an executive producer, Abbott continued to serve as an executive producer while showrunning the fellow ABC sitcom Malibu Country starring Reba McEntire. Both Last Man Standing and Malibu Country aired as a part of ABC's Friday night lineup for the 2012–2013 primetime television season.[25] On November 8, 2012, Abbott re-joined the Last Man Standing crew full-time, after a stint in rehab, and gave Nastaran Dibai full showrunning duties of Malibu Country.[26]
On June 11, 2012, it was announced that Alexandra Krosney (Kristin) was let go from the show for creative reasons.[27] Krosney was replaced by Amanda Fuller in season 2.[28] On June 19, 2012, it was also announced that twins Luke and Evan Kruntchev, who played the role of Boyd in season 1, would not be returning; they were replaced by Flynn Morrison in season 2.[29] The character of Boyd was also age-advanced from two years old to five years old.[30] Jordan Masterson plays Ryan, Boyd's father, in a recurring role beginning in season 2.[31] The role was previously played by Nick Jonas, who guest-starred in one episode in season 1.[32]
The second season initially received a 13-episode order. ABC announced on November 12, 2012, that an additional three scripts had been ordered.[33] On November 27, five more episodes were ordered to bring the second-season episode total to 18.[34]
On May 10, 2013, the series was renewed for a third season,[35] which premiered on September 20, 2013, and ended on April 25, 2014, after 22 episodes.[36]
On May 10, 2014, ABC renewed Last Man Standing for a fourth season, which premiered on October 3, 2014.[37] Allen and Elizondo guest-starred as their Last Man Standing characters in a crossover episode with the fellow ABC Friday sitcom Cristela.[38]
On May 10, 2015, ABC announced the show had been renewed for a fifth season. Last Man Standing had become a solid performer for the Friday night lineup at ABC, which with the help of Shark Tank and 20/20 has become the top network among adults 18–49 for the night. Leading off Friday night for ABC, the sitcom averaged a 1.8 rating in adults 18–49 and 8.2 million viewers overall, according to Nielsen's Live+7 estimates.[39][40]
On May 13, 2016, ABC renewed the series for a sixth and final season, which premiered on September 23, 2016.[41]
Cancellation[edit]
On May 10, 2017, ABC canceled Last Man Standing after six seasons, despite the series being the second most-watched ABC sitcom during the 2016–17 season (based on Live+7 figures), with ratings remaining mostly steady during its sixth season.[4] A rep for 20th Century Fox TV said cancellation decisions are made by ABC. "This was a scheduling decision," wrote Jori Arancio, senior vice president of ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios. ABC and its production partner for the show, 20th Century Fox TV, typically negotiate licensing fees prior to each season; however, the network decided to cancel the show without doing so. Also, the contract between 20th Century Fox Television and ABC for the show, in which 20th Century Fox Television covered the cost of production, had expired after six seasons. Had the series been renewed for a seventh season, ABC would have been required to pick up Last Man Standing's production costs, which the network was unwilling to do.[42]
The cancellation was met with outrage from the show's fans, many of whom took to social media to voice their displeasure and petition for another network to pick up the show.[43] It also happened some months after lead actor Tim Allen (who is also a real-life Republican) said in an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, possibly with tongue in cheek, that being a Republican in Hollywood is "like 1930s Germany. You gotta be real careful around here, you know. You’ll get beat up if you don’t believe what everybody believes.” His comment was widely criticized, especially his comparing the treatment of Republicans in Hollywood with Nazi Germany. This led many to believe that the show had been cancelled because of his statements.[44]
A viewer petition on the website Change.org calling for ABC to reinstate Last Man Standing had reportedly surpassed 140,000 signatures as of May 16. In a conference call with reporters a day earlier, ABC president Channing Dungey stated, "Last Man Standing was a challenging one for me, because it was a steady performer. Once we made the decision not to continue with comedy on Friday, it was just kind of that's where we landed." Dungey cited studio ownership, future creative direction, ratings and viewer engagement as all factors in her decision.[45]
Tim Allen voiced his displeasure with the cancellation, tweeting on May 16: "Stunned and blindsided by the network I called home for the last six years."[46]
With the petition to save Last Man Standing approaching 300,000 signatures on May 17, rumors circulated that Fox was seriously considering acquiring the series, as it already owns the rights through its production sibling, 20th Century Fox Television.[47] Variety later confirmed in an exclusive report that 20th Century Fox Television is actively shopping the series to other networks and streaming services in hopes it will be picked up for a seventh season.[48]
Reception[edit]
Critical reception[edit]
Last Man Standing stars Héctor Elizondo (left), Tim Allen and Christoph Sanders
Last Man Standing received generally negative reviews from critics. Season one has an approval rating of 14% on Rotten Tomatoes[49] and a score of 33 out of 100 on Metacritic.[50] The Hollywood Reporter commented: "A predictable sitcom with a stupid premise and bad acting."[51] Los Angeles Times: "The jokes and plots have been efficiently constructed, but most have no traction; they slide right off you, and the characters themselves seem disconnected from one another."[52] Conversely, Entertainment Weekly wrote: "When I look at the now-rounded softness of Tim Allen, and note once again how his sandpaper voice contrasts winningly with his hopeful eyes, it's impossible to plunge a shiv into this series."[53]
Season two scored 40% at Rotten Tomatoes.[54] Entertainment Weekly commented: "I think it's time the folks involved with Last take a closer look at All in the Family, in which the prejudice was built around real jokes."[55] The A.V. Club: "The problem with Last Man Standing's attempts to go political is exemplified by the first scene of the season première, which remains one of the most uncomfortable scenes of television I've ever watched ... doing its best to push buttons in the audience that don’t need to be pushed, as if it thinks what made [Norman] Lear’s sitcoms a success was the yelling or the mentions of social issues that people sometimes argued about."[56] Philly.com wrote about season three: "The unlikely comeback vehicle for Tim Allen, Last Man Standing on ABC, is a thoroughly traditional, absolutely charming sitcom. [...] Last Man is both economical and efficient, getting excellent comic mileage out of the most marginal bit players."[57]
The series was particularly popular among conservatives, many of whom viewed the show as a counterpoint to Modern Family, another 20th Century Fox sitcom that aired on ABC at the same time and featured more liberal ideologies.[42] A study conducted during the 2016 US Presidential Election found that it was the tenth most popular show on television with Republicans.[58]
Ratings[edit]
ABC's series premiere of Last Man Standing drew a 3.5 adults 18–49 rating. That was 9% better than the 3.2 adults 18–49 rating for the series premiere of No Ordinary Family in the same time-slot the previous year (which was two weeks earlier in the season). Season 2 of Last Man Standing premiered with a 2.0, down about 38% from its first-season premiere, but up about 18% from the previous season's finale.[59]
Season Timeslot (ET) No. of
episodes Premiered Ended TV season Rank Viewers
(million) Live + DVR
viewers
Date Premiere viewers
(million) Premiere 18–49
rating/share Date Finale viewers
(million) Finale 18–49
rating/share
1 Tuesday 8:00 pm 24 October 11, 2011 12.93[60] 3.4/10[60] May 8, 2012 6.62[61] 1.7/5[61] 2011–12 50 9.12[62] 9.76[63]
2 Friday 8:00 pm 18 November 2, 2012 8.07[64] 2.0/7[64] March 22, 2013 7.85[65] 1.6/6[65] 2012–13 53[66] 7.93[67] 8.34[68]
3 22 September 20, 2013 6.67[69] 1.5/6[69] April 25, 2014 6.10[70] 1.4/6[70] 2013–14 58 7.17[71] 7.92[72]
4 22 October 3, 2014 6.91[73] 1.3/5[73] April 17, 2015 6.16[74] 1.1/5[74] 2014–15 60[75] 8.18[75] 8.52[76]
5 22 September 25, 2015 6.26[77] 1.1/5[77] April 22, 2016 5.94[78] 1.0/4[78] 2015–16 56[79] 7.96[79] TBA
6 22 September 23, 2016 5.95[80] 1.1/5[80] March 31, 2017 6.06[81] 1.1/5[81] 2016–17 TBA TBA TBA
Awards and nominations[edit]
Last Man Standing was nominated for a 2012 People's Choice Award for "Favorite New TV Comedy", but lost to CBS's 2 Broke Girls.
Year Association Category Nominee / episode Outcome
2011 ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards Top Television Series[citation needed] Carl Thiel (composer) Won
2012 People's Choice Awards Favorite New TV Comedy Last Man Standing Nominated
Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Actor Tim Allen Nominated
TV Guide Magazine's Fan Favorites Awards Favorite Comeback[82] Won
Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Supporting Young Actress Kaitlyn Dever Nominated
2013 Environmental Media Awards Television Episodic Comedy[83] "Mother Fracker" Won
2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Cinematography For A Multi-Camera Series Donald A. Morgan – "Eve's Boyfriend" Nominated
Syndication[edit]
On September 4, 2015, the series joined the CMT Network with a mini-marathon of episodes. On September 3, 2015, it was announced that ABC Family (now Freeform) had obtained syndication rights to the series, which began airing episodes on September 28, 2015.[84] Additionally, on May 15, 2015, it was announced that Hallmark Channel has obtained the rights to the sitcom and began airing the series in January 2016.[85] The first five seasons are also available for streaming on Netflix. The syndication of Last Man Standing was a major success in a time when few off-network reruns were becoming hits.[42]
Broadcast[edit]
Last Man Standing airs on Fox8, Network Ten and Eleven (previously aired on One) in Australia,[86] City in Canada and TV3 in New Zealand.[87] In the United Kingdom and Ireland, it premiered on October 9, 2012.[88] The second season premiered on January 30, 2014.[89]
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