It's not yet over for Tim Allen and "Last Man Standing." While ABC canceled the series after six seasons last May, the show could continue season 7 on television via the cable network CMT.
20th Century Fox TV is reportedly in preliminary discussions with CMT. The show's writers were also advised they might not yet be out of a job. But the studio and the network have yet to discuss particular deals with the actors. No further details have been released so far.
Not the first time
This isn't the first instance CMT stepped up to save a show canceled by ABC.
In 2016, the network picked up the drama series "Nashville" when ABC did not renew the show for season 5.
CMT is also not the only network that was interested in taking on "Last Man Standing." Fox was also considering picking up the show but the network just didn't have the slot for it in its tight and booked 2017-2018 TV schedule.
Reports, however, indicate that renewing the show will cost the new network more because the show is already in its seventh season and nearing syndication. For a cable show, picking up the sitcom might not be a good business move for CMT.
Fans accuse ABC of politics
Fans of "Last Man Standing" were angered by ABC's decision to drop the sitcom. They grew angrier when Tim Allen tweeted he was blindsided by the network's decision.
His followers believed his show was cut because of his right-leaning politics. The actor is a Republican and devoted Christian.
Stunned and blindsided by the network I called home for the last six years. #lastmanstanding
— Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) May 16, 2017
Fans then launched a petition to save the series and emphasized ABC decided based on a political bias.
It described "Last Man Standing" as a show with conservative values and appealing to a broad sector of Americans. The petition drew nearly 400,000 supporters.
As far as ratings were concerned, “Last Man Standing” had steady and decent numbers in its Friday night schedule on ABC. The network president, Channing Dungey, defended that the decision had nothing to do with politics.
Apparently, the network no longer planned on having comedies for Fridays. Even “Dr. Ken,” the comedy starring Ken Jeong, which aired on the same night, was not renewed.
Aside from Tim Allen, who played dad Mike Baxter, the show also starred Nancy Travis (Vanessa Baxter) as the mom. Amanda Fuller (Kristin Baxter), Molly Ephraim (Mandy Baxter) and Kaitlyn Dever (Eve Baxter) played their grown daughter and Hector Elizondo (Ed Alzate) played Mike's boss. The show was created by Jack Burditt and Tim Allen is also an executive producer.
