daneldorado

Start with the title. "Last Man Standing" refers not to the final survivor of an armed conflict, but rather to this show's protagonist. He is played by comedian Tim Allen as Max Baxter, a politically conservative husband/father who lives with his wife and three daughters, making him the, er, Last Man Standing.

Max is outspoken but lovable. He criticizes any and all liberal politicians and, in conversation with those who disagree with him, he comes up with some terrific zingers.

In a convo about Hillary Clinton, Mike's wife Vanessa reminds him: "Mike, don't forget that Hillary was a Goldwater Girl." His irascible response: "Satan used to work for God. So, what's your point?"

I think the funniest line in the show is, actually, a non-line. Vanessa scolds Mike for being "old fashioned." She says: "You would probably be comfortable living in a world where we had slavery, and women were not allowed to vote."

His response: "You're right, honey. Slavery was terrible."

Dan

"Last Man Standing" is/was the greatest sitcom ever to appear on television. It brings us an amusing look at that perennial stereotype, the flawed but loveable All-American family

Tim Allen, an actor who I'm informed is a political conservative in real life, brings the comical side of conservatism to the lead role as "Mike Baxter," a right-winger with a great personality. He and his wife Vanessa (Nancy Travis) are Denver-area suburbanites who are parents to a family of three girls... thus (wink, wink) Mike is the "Last Man Standing" of the title.

Having a clever title to start your show is always a plus, because it gets the proceedings off to a happy beginning.

"LMS"' very first episode, back in 2011, was so funny it seemed impossible to top; nevertheless, through the years this show has brought us more hilarity than I can remember from any other sitcom.

About the only flaws I can mention about "LMS" have to do with the casting. As I mentioned, one of the key aspects of the show involve the three daughters of the family. And that's sad, because with a show this sucessful, it's possible it will be renewed year after year. Now in its EIGHTH season, there have been numerous cast changes, and that's not ever a good thing.

The oldest of the three girls is Kristin, originally played by Alexandra Krosney. But in one of the early episodes, Krosney was dropped from the show and replaced by Amanda Fuller. The middle daughter, "Mandy," was originally (and brilliantly) played by the charmingly volatile Molly Ephraim, but in 2018 a different Molly -- Molly McCook -- assumed the role of Mandy. In my opinion, that was a bad move. Ms. McCook is beautiful and may be a good actress as well; but her acting style is worlds away from the elfin gadfly that was Molly Ephraim. Besides, Ms. McCook is SEVEN FEET TALL and thus, through no fault of her own, she towers over most of her costars. Not a good look, in my humble op.

The youngest of the three Baxter girls is Eve, played winningly as a tomboy by Kaitlyn Dever. She gives off the vibes of a girl who is secretly smarter than anyone else in her family.

Dan Navarro