The final season of ‘Last Man Standing’ is set to premier on January 3, 2021 on Fox.
Created by Jack Burditt, ‘Last Man Standing’ is ABC’s 2011 situational comedy, starring Tim Allen in the lead. The series is the second collaboration between Allen and ABC network after the hit 1991 family sitcom ‘Home Improvement’. Over the years ‘Last Man Standing’ has managed to gain popular acclaim and seen note-worthy ratings. In 2017, ABC cancelled Last Man Standing abruptly after 6 successful seasons, which led to Fox picking it up for a season 7. It was revealed in 2019 that season 9 will mark the end of the series. Fox has now finally announced that the finale season is set to premier on January 3, 2021.
Highlights —
- The all-American Baxter family
- ‘Last Man Standing’ : Changes in cast and syndication
- The series will bid adieu after season 9?
The All-American Baxter family
The sitcom stars Tim Allen as the Ronal Reagan loving patriarch Mike Baxter who lives with his sweet wife Vanessa (Nancy Travis), and three daughters, Kristin (Amanda Fuller), Mandy (Molly Ephraim) and Eve (Kaitlyn Dever). Kristin is the oldest daughter and became a mother as a teenager to son Boyd. Mandy is the middle child with an evident interest in fashion and Eve is a tomboy and the youngest one. The series follows Mike juggling his work as the marketing director for a sports equipment store chain called ‘Outdoor Man’ and heading a family of females.
As the show progresses, romantic partners of his daughters are added to the mix and Mike also becomes an influential figure in their lives. What makes the series unique is ending every episode with Mike’s vlog which he uses to advertise outdoor man while reminiscing events from his personal life. The series is funny, feel-good and heart-warming and makes you wish for your own Baxter clan.
‘Last Man Standing’ : Changes in cast and syndication
Over the seasons, Last Man Standing has undergone several changes in its cast. During the first season Kristin was portrayed by Alexandra Krosney, but she was let go before the commencement of season 2 over creative differences. Similarly, Kristin’s boyfriend Ryan was played by Nick Jonas in season 1 and was later reprised by Jordan Masterson season 2 onwards. Molly McCook took over the role of Mandy season 7 onwards replacing Molly Ephraim.
During its 6 seasons of telecast on ABC, the series was one of the most-watched sitcoms which is why its unexpected cancellation in 2016 was quite a shock to both the audiences and the cast members. The series was a co-production between 20th Century Fox Television and ABC. After season 6, ABC decided to cancel the show instead of getting into any negotiations with 20th Century Fox Television over production fee.
Fans felt betrayed and began a petition for the show’s revival in 2017. The petition received 438,000 signatures by 2018. The executives at 20th Century Fox Television were able to evaluate the worth of the series seeing this fan response and the show was successfully able to find a home at Fox.
The series will bid adieu after season 9?
Last year Fox announced that season 9 would be the last season of the comedy series. The official synopsis of the final season says,
“After the events of the eighth season finale, during which Kristin (Amanda Fuller) went into labor with her baby daughter, while Mandy (Molly McCook) was pregnant with her first child, the series will jump ahead into the near future, when Mike and his wife, Vanessa (Nancy Travis), will contemplate their own future, including Mike’s imminent retirement from his lifelong job at Outdoor Man – and who could be his successor.”
Season 8 had to end one episode prior to what was intended due to the outspread of COVID-19 and now instead of picking the show up where it was left there will be a time leap. The upcoming season is set to premier on January 3, 2021 on Fox after a long delay.
Are you excited about season 9? Are there any storylines you think the makers will explore this season? Write to us in the comments section below.
