Last Man Standing season 9 is, officially, happening on Fox, but there are no official updates as to when filming could begin. There's still uncertainty regarding the production schedule since everything could change due to the current health crisis.
But, a recent report from Deadline suggests that Last Man Standing season 9 could be start production in September. Reportedly, all comedy series under the Disney TV Studios -- which now includes the Tim Allen-led show -- are looking for potential start dates next month.
While this is good news, the plan is tentative and subjected to change. But, if ever this will push through, we could see a lot of changes on and off-screen. For instance, the number of crew on set might be reduced to follow the social distancing measures and keep everyone safe.
Also, the upcoming season won't have live audiences for the time being. Having a lot of viewers is preferable to further hype up the performance, but there's a risk in doing this since most people are in a confined space. For now, the top priority remains to be the safety and health of everyone on set.
But, aside from dealing with the pandemic, Last Man Standing season 9 could also tell a story about the global health crisis. In a previous interview with TV Guide, showrunner and executive producer Kevin Abbott teased the possibility of the series tacking COVID-19 issue in the new installment.
He revealed that everything they've planned for the upcoming season has gone out of the window since the world has changed. Small businesses in the real world have been hit hard because of the pandemic, and Outdoor Man and Bud's Buds could face the same financial problem, as well.
Last Man Standing season 9 could focus more on the experience and what it feels like dealing with the current situation. Abbott, particularly, mentioned that the Outdoor Man will be facing the repercussions of the economy and how the lockdowns affect equipment use.
Yet, the series won't dwell on this storyline for a long time since there are other stories that are worth exploring. For instance, Mike's (Tim Allen) relationship with his son-in-law Ryan (Jordan Masterson) could change. It looks like writers are interested in patching things up between these two.
Mike and Ryan become sympathetic towards each other, and now, they understand where other people are coming. Both of them are different and gone through different experiences. They could change and evolve now that they understand each other.
If there won't be any filming delays, we could expect Last Man Standing season 9 premiering in 2021.
