Last Man Standing (U.S. TV series)

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Last Man Standing was a sitcom starring Tim Allen and Nancy Travis that debuted in 2011 and ran for nine seasons. Often referred to as an Distaff Counterpart to Home Improvement, the show centres around Allen's Mike Baxter as the head of the Baxter household, which comprises his wife Vanessa and three daughters Kristin, Amanda, and Eve.


Tropes used in Last Man Standing (U.S. TV series) include:
  • Bug-Out: Bugging out is discussed in multiple episodes, with one 2015 episode including a scene where Allen's character chastises an employee for not having bug-out plans and a survival cache.
  • Christmas Episode: "Last Christmas Standing." Boyd's father returns to town, while Mandy demands better working conditions for her fellow elves at Outdoor Man.
  • Creator Breakdown: In-Universe. Whenever Mike does an Internet ad for the store, he usually rants about whatever's been annoying him in a given episode.
  • Halloween Episode: "Last Halloween Standing." Against Kristen's wishes, Mike takes Boyd out trick-or-treating and winds up mixing him up with another kid in a similar costume.
  • Odd Friendship: Kyle and Ed.
  • The One Guy: The premise of the series, with Mike the only male Baxter in the cast. (There is Boyd, but he's only seen occasionally.)

Doctor: I'm concerned about your blood pressure.
Mike: I live in a house with four women.
Doctor: Then you're doing great.

  • The Other Darrin: Multiple cases:
    • Amanda Fuller replaced Alexandra Krosney as Kirstin starting in season two.
    • Molly McCook replaced Molly Ephraim as Amanda starting in season seven.
    • Jordan Masterson and Nick Jonas as Ryan Vogelson.
    • Erika Alexander and Tisha Campbell as Carol Larabee.
    • And finally, a four-fer: Flynn Morrison, Jet Jurgensmeyer, and Evan and Luke Kruntchev all played young Boyd Baxter at one time or another.
  • Reality Subtext: 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.
  • Sensitive Guy and Manly Man: Kyle and Mike.
  • Tomboy and Girly Girl: Eve and Mandy.