A year after Last Man Standing was canceled by ABC, the multi-camera comedy starring Tim Allen is plotting a comeback on a new network. Last Man Standing producer 20th Century Fox TV is in talks with sibling Fox Broadcasting Co. for a new season of the series, which would be its seventh.
The show followed Allen’s character, Mike Baxter, a business executive at a sporting goods store. Baxter is married to wife Vanessa, played by Nancy Travis and together they are raising three daughters.
ABC canceled the sitcom in May 2016 despite its high ratings. Many speculated at the time that the network axed the series over its politics — a rumor that ABC vehemently denied at the time.
TVLine sources say Allen has already signed a deal for the new season and other original cast members are also in talks. However both Travis and Hector Elizondo, who played Baxter’s partner, are both already attached to other projects at the moment and insiders are stating that this is anything but a done deal. Still, Deadline has stated that talks are ongoing to see if not only the cast but the creative team behind the show are on board for a reboot. Allen took to Twitter to encourage fans who want to see Last Man Standing back on television to let the network know:
“They heard all your voices people!! LMS just might be a reality. Keep it up. Who wants more #LastManStanding?”
After ABC’s success with the reboot of “Roseanne,” which features a pro-Trump character, calls for the network to bring back “Last Man Standing” were revived. Many feel that the return of another network comedy featuring a conservative as a lead character is something that it not only wanted, but needed. Both Allen and his character Mike Baxter are political conservatives and fans are excited at the idea of seeing someone who shares their ideologies back on the small screen.
Allen, a conservative himself who has voiced his support for Trump, played Mike Baxter, who is also politically conservative on the show.
The 64-year-old told Fox News in August that he was overwhelmed by the support of his fans.
“The support from all the fans to bring back ‘Last Man Standing’ is truly overwhelming to me and so appreciated,” Allen told Fox News “I, along with the talented writers, wonderful crew and terrific actors, would definitely entertain the idea of bringing the show back as there is so much gas left in the tank, more to be said, and laughs to be had.”
Sources: Reports on Page Six, Deadline.com, Screenrant.com, Syracuse.com
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