Tim Allen Still Upset Over Shocking 'Last Man Standing' Cancellation
Tim Allen is still upset over the abrupt cancellation of his sitcom "Last Man Standing" back in May. The comedian and TV star discussed ABC's failures in handling his show in recent interviews.
Speaking at Norm MacDonald's talk show, Allen did not hold back on his opinions about how ABC dealt with "Last Man Standing." He insisted that the network pulled the plug on his show because of his personal views on politics even as ABC denied this was the case.
"There is nothing more dangerous, especially in this climate, than a funny, likable conservative character," Allen said of his character Mike Baxter. "He is mitigated on the show by a family of women who had a difference of opinions, but he was a likeable guy and a principled guy about work and ethics and all this stuff."
Mike Baxter extended Allen's political leanings as a Republican in real life. The actor thought that "Last Man Standing" would make a better fit for the network and anchor the upcoming "Roseanne" reboot, which is also about a conservative American family.
He defended that his show did well in the ratings for Friday nights, hence he still questions why ABC yanked it off the lineup at the last minute. He told San Luis Obispo in another interview that ABC also dismissed the fan base composed of non-liberals who can think for themselves.
ABC president for entertainment Channing Dungey said in May that canceling "Last Man Standing" was a hard decision because Allen was right to point out that it did well in the ratings for Friday nights. Ultimately, however, it came to a business decision of scheduling shows and ABC also canceled "Dr. Ken," another comedy series that paired with "Last Man Standing."
"We made the decision not to continue with comedies on Fridays," Dungey revealed. ABC has fantasy dramas like "Once Upon a Time" and the new show "Marvel's Inhumans" for Fridays in this fall's TV season.
