‘Last Man Standing’ studio has big news for the show’s fans

On May 10, fans of the hit sitcom “Last Man Standing” were left confused and frustrated after ABC announced it would not renew the Tim Allen-led series. But all hope is not lost. According to the show’s studio, 20th Century Fox, rather than give up on the comedy, it is now being shopped around to other networks.

The decision to cancel the comedy was met with fierce backlash from conservative critics, who suggested the show was likely canceled because of its traditional American values and conservative-leaning comedy, including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R). Walker said on Twitter ABC “is playing politics” by canceling the show.

“Looks like @ABC is playing politics with your show despite decent ratings. Sad,” wrote Walker on Twitter.

.@ofcTimAllen Looks like @ABC is playing politics with your show despite decent ratings. Sad.https://t.co/FQo9H55QcR

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) May 11, 2017

A petition to save the show posted to Change.org has been signed by more than 366,000 supporters.

In an interview on Thursday with Variety, the presidents of the studio that has produced “Last Man Standing,” Jonnie Davis and Howard Kurtzman, said they aren’t giving up on the popular sitcom. When asked whether it would be shopped to other networks, Kurtzman said, “We’re starting to explore that. If it’s not going to go forward at ABC, of course Jonnie and I are hopeful that we can find another home for it.”

The show has a big and loyal fanbase, so it’s possible another network will be willing to give “Last Man Standing” a new home, but the writer for Variety says the show’s studio faces “an uphill climb.”

According to Variety Senior TV Reporter Daniel Holloway, “‘Last Man Standing’ faces an uphill climb in search of a new network. After six seasons, costs for the series are significantly higher than those for younger multi-camera comedies typically are. And the buying patterns of broadcast networks this development season showed little appetite for multi-cams among most of the Big Four.”

According to Deadline, “Last Man Standing” was ABC’s “second most watched comedy this season with 8.1 million viewers in Live +7, only behind flagship Modern Family (8,7 million). It was the third most watched ABC scripted series overall behind Grey’s Anatomy and Modern Family.”