Last Man Standing: CMT Mulling Over Saving the Canceled Series
Carissa Pavlica
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CMT might be the disgruntled ABC fan's best friend.
Previously, CMT successfully revived ABC's canceled drama Nashville, making it the highest rated scripted original series on CMT.
Now there is news suggesting CMT is considering breathing life into Last Man Standing a difficult pass by ABC made after the net switched up their programming from comedies to dramas on Friday nights and determined the Tim Allen vehicle didn't fit elsewhere in the schedule.
It's hard not to imagine Last Man Standing coming out a winner in this in some shape or form given the strong reaction to the cancellation.
Not only was Tim Allen himself blindsided by the news, but there was an amazing outpouring from fans who felt betrayed by ABC, some believing politics even had a hand in the move, although there was no indication thereof.
ABC President of Entertainment Channing Dungey said, "I wouldn't say that was the deciding factor."
Allen was looking for a pay raise, which is always a time for the show, the network and the actor to reconsider their options.
Last Man Standing, though, was receiving a healthy 1.7 in the Friday night ratings, where other shows go to die.
CMT isn't the only network that would be happy over that rating for a 30-minute comedy on a Friday night.
Other broadcast networks produce hour-long dramas that air mid-week and still only dream of achieving such heights of viewership.
Many of them are favorites here at TV Fanatic, some of which have never reached what might be considered the dizzying heights of a 1.7. It's crazy. Still, every network has different platforms for determining what stays and what goes.
Dungey also noted, "Last Man Standing was a challenging one for me because it was a steady performer in the ratings, but once we made the decision not to continue with comedies on Fridays, that was where we landed."
Last Man Standing reruns are very successful for CMT and originals would do very well for the network.
However, it's an expensive show and the process is only in the very early stages of consideration.
To put it bluntly, don't get your hopes up. But look on the bright side, too. Miracles happen on this beautiful earth, and this might be one of them.
If it goes through, it may have six episodes or 20. If you're a fan, would either notion be appealing to you in light of the cancellation at ABC?
Let us know your thoughts!!
Never say never, you guys.
Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.