Last Man Standing is an Australian television series that aired in from June 2005 to October 2005 on Seven Network; and in New Zealand from April to September 2005. It was aired also in Finland (Viimeiseen mieheen) in 2007. The series did not return for a second season.
Contents
Overview
The main characters are three best friends — Adam, Bruno, and Cameron — who live and work in Melbourne. Adam is newly single, having come out of a long-term relationship, and is dealing with the dating world for the first time in a long time. Cameron is the sexual predator of the group, although this role has been somewhat lessened by the fact that his ex-wife Zoe — who left when he had an affair — is now part of the group and is becoming friends with the women he dates. Bruno is a nurse who has a habit of falling for women who do not care for him, while ignoring the many women who do. All three are discovering that in their late 20s, they are still single and really have no idea about women whatsoever.
In keeping with the show's distinctly Melbourne feel, iconic Melbourne rock band Dallas Crane recorded a cover of "Come See Me", originally by the Pretty Things, for the show's theme tune. The cover can be found as a B-side to the band's "Curiosity" single.
Cast
Main
Rodger Corser as Adam Logan
Travis McMahon as Bruno Palmer
Matt Passmore as Cameron Kennedy
Miriama Smith as Zoe Hesketh
Recurring
Fletcher Humphrys as Anto Logan
Anita Hegh as Marly
Greg Fleet as Boxy
Jesse Griffin as Chich
Nikola Dubois as Taia
Jacinta Stapleton as Syl
Stephen Phillips as Mark
Gillian Hardy as Anne
Terry Kenwrick as Gavin
Kat Stewart as Claire
Cal Wilson as Nurse Jude Vanderwert
Alicia Gardiner as Nurse Amelia Larkin
Susan Godfrey as Nurse Rachel Barton
Jane Allsop as Suzie
Peta Sergeant as Janessa
Sue Jones as Gil Logan
Luke Hemsworth as Shannon Gazal
Guests
Alexandra Schepisi as Bonnie (2 episodes)
Asher Keddie as Jemima (1 episode)
Benjamin McNair as Nurse Derek (1 episode)
Brett Swain as Bret
David Roberts as Gerry (1 episode)
Diana Glenn as Anguk (1 episode)
Elena Mandalis as Margot (1 episode)
Elspeth Ballantyne as Aunty Marg (1 episode)
Jon English as Self (1 episode)
Kate Lister as Female Shopper (1 episode)
Louise Crawford as Spunky girl (1 episode)
Lucia Smyrk as Ricki (1 episode)
Madeleine West as Janie (1 episode)
Peter Hosking as Robert (1 episode)
Pippa Black as Chrissie (1 episode)
Robin McLeavy as Kellie (1 episode)
Sam Healy as Helen (1 episode)
Tim Robertson as Bride's Dad (1 episode)
Zoë Ventoura as Adele (2 episodes)
Broadcast history
The series premiered in Australia on 6 June 2005 - although it premiered in New Zealand some two months earlier. It struggled to find an audience from the beginning, with an average Australian viewership of 750,000 weekly viewers. These low ratings occurred despite the show having Desperate Housewives as a lead in, which at the time was attracting over 2 million viewers a week.
It was thought by critics that Last Man Standing appealed only to "inner city lefties", unlike past successful Australian dramas such as Blue Heelers and All Saints which have more widespread demographic appeal.
Given that a full 22 episodes had been filmed before the series began airing, the Seven Network aired consistent repeats to allow the show to find an audience. Ratings didn't climb, however, and in early September, the network announced the show's cancellation. The series finale aired on 25 October. This episode ended in a cliffhanger, which - due to the show's cancellation - will remain unresolved.
The series began its airing in the UK on the FX channel in early 2006.
The series began its airing in Finland on the Sub (formerly known as Subtv) channel in June 2007.
Home media
Last Man Standing: Complete First Season was released on DVD in Australia, from EMI Records on 27 November 2005.