History Trivia / LastManStanding2011

* ChannelHop: After six seasons on ABC, Fox picked it up a year after the former network canceled the show.

* NetworkToTheRescue: After ABC cancelled the show after season six, Fox decided to pick up the show for its seventh season to air in 2018-19.

* ScrewedByTheNetwork: Despite being one of ABC's highest rated shows and regularly coming in first in its time slot, the show was unceremoniously cancelled after season six. ABC claimed that it was not renewed because of "scheduling issues", namely that they decided to get rid of the Friday comedy block and they couldn't fit it in the schedule, and due to the contract between 20th Century Fox Television and ABC for the show, in which 20th Century Fox Television covered the cost of production, expiring after six seasons, meaning that had the series been renewed for a seventh season, ABC would have been required to pick up the show's production costs (not least of which was Tim Allen's high salary), which the network was unwilling to do. However, due to some [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment rather contentious political controversy going on at the time]], fans are decidedly unconvinced by this explanation.

* TroubledProduction: The show was created by ''Series/ThirtyRock'' writer Jack Burditt, but a family tragedy led to him leaving the show before he could really work with it. Though he returned for a brief period, he knew he wouldn't be able to lead the sitcom much longer, and ''Series/{{Reba}}'' vet Kevin Abbott took the helm. But Abbott had already sold another pilot to ABC and had to leave to focus on that show, so the start of the second season brought the third official showrunner, Tim Doyle of ''Series/RulesOfEngagement''. Starting in [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness season two]], ''Last Man Standing'' (which by now banished to [[FridayNightDeathSlot Fridays]]) became a show about politics mixed with family relationships, in essence they wanted to [[{{Retool}} make the show]] more like ''Series/AllInTheFamily''. In the process they [[TheOtherDarrin recast]] the characters of Kristin and Boyd. Doyle stuck around as showrunner three years before passing the baton to Matt Berry, who ran the show until its cancellation by ABC. Being {{uncancelled}} by FOX led to another round of recasting, as Molly Ephraim had moved on to a film career and Flynn Morrison had retired from acting to focus on school.

* ScrewedByTheNetwork: Despite being one of ABC's highest rated shows and regularly coming in first in its time slot, the show was unceremoniously cancelled after season six. ABC claimed that it was not renewed because of "scheduling issues", namely that they decided to get rid of the Friday comedy block and they couldn't fit it in the schedule, and due to the contract between 20th Century Fox Television and ABC for the show, in which 20th Century Fox Television covered the cost of production, expiring after six seasons, meaning that had the series been renewed for a seventh season, ABC would have been required to pick up the show's production costs (not least of which was Tim Allen's high salary), which the network was unwilling to do. However, due to some [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment rather contentious political controversy going on at the time]], fans are decidedly unconvinced by this explanation.

* RealitySubtext: In the pilot, Mike's first lines include "I'm back!" and "It's good to be home" -- referencing Tim Allen's return to TV network ABC over ten years after ''Home Improvement'' ended and even the same timeslot said series occupied.

* ScrewedByTheNetwork: Despite being one of ABC's highest rated shows and regularly coming in first in its time slot, the show was unceremoniously cancelled after season six. ABC claimed that it was not renewed because of "scheduling issues", namely that they decided to get rid of the Friday comedy block and they couldn't fit it in the schedule, and due to the contract between 20th Century Fox Television and ABC for the show, in which 20th Century Fox Television covered the cost of production, expiring after six seasons, meaning that had the series been renewed for a seventh season, ABC would have been required to pick up the show's production costs (not least of which Tim Allen's high salary), which the network was unwilling to do. However, due to some [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment rather contentious political controversy going on at the time]], fans are decidedly unconvinced by this explanation.

* TroubledProduction: The show was created by ''Series/ThirtyRock'' writer Jack Burditt, but a family tragedy led to him leaving the show before he could really work with it. Though he returned for a brief period, he knew he wouldn't be able to lead the sitcom much longer, and ''Series/{{Reba}}'' vet Kevin Abbott took the helm. But Abbott had already sold another pilot to ABC and had to leave to focus on that show, so the start of the second season brought the third official showrunner, Tim Doyle of ''Series/RulesOfEngagement''. Starting in [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness season two]], ''Last Man Standing'' (which by now banished to [[FridayNightDeathSlot Fridays]]) became a show about politics mixed with family relationships, in essence they wanted to [[{{Retool}} make the show]] more like ''Series/AllInTheFamily''. In the process they [[TheOtherDarrin recast]] the characters of Kristin and Boyd. Doyle stuck around as showrunner three years before passing the baton to Matt Berry, who ran the show until its cancellation by ABC. Being {{uncancelled}} by FOX lead to another round of recasting, as Molly Ephraim had moved on to a film career and Flynn Morrison had retired from acting to focus on school.

** In the original pilot script, Mike was a construction worker, Kristin did not have a child and was a go getter who had a variety of jobs, Mandy was a son named Howie who spent all of his time playing video games, and the Baxters were hosts of a foreign exchange student.

* YouLookFamiliar: Jonathan Taylor Thomas played Kristin's boss Jon in seasons two and three, then cameoed as Helen Potts' son Randy in season four.

** They did the exact same kinds of things with Season 7's premiere, referencing the show getting cancelled by network executives, whom Mike says were probably "idiots" for cancelling, as Kyle put it, "A popular show that everyone liked." Mike even looks into the camera slightly later and says, "no matter how long it's been since you last saw me, I'm still the same guy," unsubtly looking into the camera as he does.

* TroubledProduction: The series was pitched as simply being a show about man (played by Creator/TimAllen) trying to maintain his masculinity in a world of women. In essence, it could be seen as [[SpiritualSuccessor update]] of Allen's prior sitcom ''Series/HomeImprovement'' if Tim Taylor had three daughters instead of three sons. The show was created by ''Series/ThirtyRock'' writer Jack Burditt, and he might have eventually made something of it. But a family tragedy led to him leaving the show. Though he returned for a brief period, he knew he wouldn't be able to lead the sitcom much longer, and ''Series/{{Reba}}'' vet Kevin Abbott took the helm. But Abbott had already sold another pilot to ABC and had to leave to focus on that show, so the start of the second season brought the third official showrunner, Tim Doyle of ''Series/RulesOfEngagement''. Starting in [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness season two]], ''Last Man Standing'' (which by now banished to [[FridayNightDeathSlot Fridays]]) became a show about politics. In essence, what both Doyle and Allen wanted to do was [[{{Retool}} make the show]] more like ''Series/AllInTheFamily''. Another change was the [[TheOtherDarrin recasting]] of Allen's eldest daughter (Alexandra Krosney in season one; Amanda Fuller in all seasons thereafter) due to the dreaded "CreativeDifferences". Doyle stuck around as showrunner three years before passing the baton to Matt Berry, who ran the show until its cancellation by ABC. The speculated reasons behind ABC cancelling ''Last Man Standing'' range from the show being owned by 20th Century Fox, who received all of the syndication money (ABC only got the advertising revenue), to the fact that the show was a conservative-leaning sitcom that did not fit with the liberal leaning ones the network airs, like ''Series/ModernFamily'' and ''Series/{{Blackish}}''. [[ChannelHop Fox]] later [[{{UnCancelled}} revived]] ''Last Man Standing'', with season seven expected to air during the 2018-2019 season. Consequently, ''Last Man Standing'' endured another recast with middle daughter Amanda going from being played by Molly Ephraim to Molly [=McCook=], and the character [[DemotedToExtra demoted]] to recurring status.

* ActorAllusion: Has its own [[ActorAllusion/LastManStanding2011 page]].

* YouLookFamiliar: Jonathan Taylor Thomas played Kristin's boss Jon in seasons two and three, then cameoed as Helen Potts' son Randy in season four.

** They did the exact same kinds of things with Season 7's premiere, referencing the show got cancelled, whom Mike says were probably "idiots" for cancelling, as Kyle put it, "A popular show that everyone liked." Mike even looks into the camera slightly later and says, "no matter how long it's been since you last saw me, I'm still the same guy," unsubtly looking into the camera as he does.

** With the move to Fox, Boyd was recast with Jet Jurgensmeyer to focus on more teenager stories, while Molly Ephraim stepped away and so Mandy was recast with Molly [=McCook=].

** With the move to Fox, [[https://tvline.com/2018/07/02/last-man-standing-molly-ephraim-season-7-mandy-recast/ there will be another round of this trope in motion]]. Boyd will be recast ''again'', and Mandy will be the second Baxter sister to get a new actress, after Molly Ephraim has chosen to step away from the role.

* ChannelHop: After six seasons on ABC, the network canceled the show and Fox picked it up a year later.

** Season 2 replaced Alexandra Krosney as Kristin with Amanda Fuller. The decision was made to [[SoapOperaRapidAgingSyndrome age advance Boyd to a five year old]], so [[MakingUseOfTheTwin the twin actors Luke and Evan Kruntchev]] who played Boyd in the first season were replaced by Flynn Morrison. Music/NickJonas played Ryan, the baby daddy, in the Season 1 ChristmasEpisode. When he became a semi-regular character trying to get in good with the family, Jordan Masterson took on the role.

* NetworkToTheRescue: After ABC screwed the show over after season six, Fox decided to pick up the show for its seventh season to air in 2018-19.
* RealitySubtext: In the pilot, Mike's first lines include "I'm back!" and "It's good to be home" -- referencing Tim Allen's return to TV, network ABC over ten years after ''Home Improvement'' ended and even the same timeslot said series occupied.
* ScrewedByTheNetwork: Despite being one of ABC's highest rated shows and regularly coming in first in its time slot, the show was unceremoniously cancelled after season six. ABC claimed that it was not renewed because of "scheduling issues", namely that they decided to get rid of the Friday comedy block and they couldn't fit it in the schedule, and due to the contract between 20th Century Fox Television and ABC for the show, in which 20th Century Fox Television covered the cost of production, expiring after six seasons, meaning that had the series been renewed for a seventh season, ABC would have been required to pick up the show's production costs (not least of which Tim Allen's high salary), which the network was unwilling to do. However, due to some [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment rather contentious political controversy going on at the the time]], fans are decidedly unconvinced by this explanation.

* VindicatedByHistory: To a degree. The show faced down CriticalDissonance for its entire run yet received solid ratings throughout, but it's conservative viewpoint was seen as undesirable by the network and was canceled despite being the most popular show in its timeslot. After the wild success of the ''Series/{{Roseanne}}'' revival ([[OvershadowedByControversy however long it lasted]]), it made all networks take a closer look at appealing to the conservative market. FOX ended up [[{{Uncanceled}} renewing the show]] a year after it was canceled.

* TheOtherDarrin: Season 2 replaced Alexandra Krosney as Kristin with Amanda Fuller. The decision was made to [[SoapOperaRapidAgingSyndrome age advance Boyd to a five year old]], so [[MakingUseOfTheTwin the twin actors Luke and Evan Kruntchev]] who played Boyd in the first season were replaced by Flynn Morrison. Music/NickJonas played Ryan, the baby daddy, in the Season 1 ChristmasEpisode. When he became a semi-regular character trying to get in good with the family, Jordan Masterson took on the role.

* SendingStuffToSaveTheShow: After the above happened, the show's fans quickly took to social media and created petitions ([[https://www.change.org/p/abc-network-save-tim-allen-s-show-last-man-standing one of which has over 350K signatures]]) to get either ABC or another network to un-cancel it. 20th Century Fox actively s for a new network to pick it up, but due to several factors listed below, their effort failed.

* SendingStuffToSaveTheShow: After the above happened, the show's fans quickly took to social media and created petitions ([[https://www.change.org/p/abc-network-save-tim-allen-s-show-last-man-standing one of which has over 350K signatures]]) to get either ABC or another network to un-cancel it. 20th Century Fox actively looked for a new network to pick it up, but due to several factors listed below, their effort failed.

** Creator/{{Fox}} wanted to [[ChannelHop pick up the show for the 2017-18 TV season after ABC cancelled it]], but by then it was too late for them to change their Fall schedule to make room for it.

** Creator/{{Fox}} considered [[ChannelHop picking up the show after ABC cancelled it]], but by then it was too late for them to change their Fall schedule to make room for it.

* AbsenteeActor:
** Kyle does not appear in five episodes during season four.
** The Baxter daughters have all missed one episode each (Kristin in "The Ring", Mandy in "Tanks for the Memories" and Eve in "Papa Bear"). In Eve's case, it was because Creator/KaitlynDever was busy wrapping up ''Detroit''.

* ScrewedByTheNetwork: Despite being one of ABC's highest rated shows and regularly coming in first in its time slot, the show was unceremoniously cancelled after season six. ABC claimed that it was not renewed because of "scheduling issues", namely that they decided to get rid of the Friday comedy block and they couldn't fit it in the schedule, and due to the contract between 20th Century Fox Television and ABC for the show, in which 20th Century Fox Television covered the cost of production, expiring after six seasons, meaning that had the series been renewed for a seventh season, ABC would have been required to pick up the show's production costs (not least of which Tim Allen's high salary), which the network was unwilling to do.

* SendingStuffToSaveTheShow: After the above happened, the show's fans quickly took to social media and created petitions ([[https://www.change.org/p/abc-network-save-tim-allen-s-show-last-man-standing one of which has over 350K signatures]]) to get either ABC or another network to un-cancel it. Time will tell if it works or not. As of May 18, 20th Century Fox is actively looking for a new network to pick it up.

** The Baxter daughters have all missed one episode each (Kristin in "The Ring", Mandy in "Tanks for the Memories" and Eve in "Papa Bear").

** "Eve's Band" is basically an excuse to let Creator/KaitlynDever show off her singing and guitar playing.

* ScrewedByTheNetwork: Despite being one of ABC's highest rated shows and regularly coming in first in its time slot, the show was unceremoniously cancelled after season six. ABC claimed that it was not renewed because of "scheduling issues", namely that they decided to get rid of the Friday comedy block and they couldn't fit it in the schedule, and due to the contract between 20th Century Fox Television and ABC for the show, in which 20th Century Fox Television covered the cost of production, expiring after six seasons, meaning that had the series been renewed for a seventh season, ABC would have been required to pick up the show's production costs, which the network was unwilling to do.

* CreatorBacklash: Tim Allen was critical of ABC after they cancelled the show, claiming he was "[[https://twitter.com/ofctimallen/status/864514490804523009 stunned and blindsided]]" by their decision.

* ScrewedByTheNetwork: Despite being one of ABC's highest rated shows and regularly coming in first in its time slot, the show was unceremoniously cancelled after season six. ABC claimed that it was not renewed because of "scheduling issues", namely that they decided to get rid of the Friday comedy block and they couldn't fit it in the schedule, and due to the contract between 20th Century Fox Television and ABC for the show, in which 20th Century Fox Television covered the cost of production, expiring after six seasons, meaning that had the series been renewed for a seventh season, ABC would have been required to pick up the show's production costs, which the network was unwilling to do. Many fans of the show, however, believe it was canceled because of Tim Allen's conservative political views, and vowed a boycott of ABC.

* SendingStuffToSaveTheShow: After the above happened, the show's fans quickly took to social media and created petitions ([[https://www.change.org/p/abc-network-save-tim-allen-s-show-last-man-standing one of which has over 100K signatures]]) to get either ABC or another network to un-cancel it. Time will tell if it works or not. As of May 18, 20th Century Fox is actively looking for a new network to pick it up.