When The Last Man on Earth first kicked off its debut season, it seemed like the weirdest show on TV. The successive episodes have broadened its scope, though, and made it feel more like a standard sitcom, albeit one on a planet where the majority of the population has been wiped out. Now we know that we’ll get to see the further adventures of Phil and his skunkin’ around, as Fox has officially ordered up Season 2 of The Last Man on Earth.
The network has a damned good reason to move forward with the comedy, which has fit right in with their formerly all-animated Sunday night lineup. Fox says it’s the top-rated comedy among adults 18-34 and men 18-49, and it’s also taken the top spot in its timeslot in the key demographic age groups, as well as teens. Though The Last Man on Earth’s one-hour premiere brought in a surprisingly big audience of over 5.7 million viewers, those numbers haven’t stayed as high, and last week’s “Mooovin’ In” had the season’s lowest live-airing ratings, with 3.3 million tuning in. Still, the renewal is awesome news for those of us who do watch every week.
The creation of Saturday Night Live vet Will Forte, along with The LEGO Movie directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, The Last Man on Earth centers on Forte’s Phil Miller, who finds himself as the lone person on the planet - Spoiler alert – at least until more people start showing up, such as Kristen Schaal, January Jones and now Mel Rodriguez. (And we’re still waiting with bated breath for Mary Steenburgen to show up.) The show tackles the absurd problems and benefits that come with being able to do whatever one wants in a lawless world where repercussions are largely a thing of the past.
Although Fox is usually the butt of jokes for its fan-angering cancelations, the network often does well by its comedies. Brooklyn Nine-Nine, New Girl and The Mindy Project are all enjoying extended runs with no signs of ending, and of course there’s the animated trifecta of The Simpsons, Family Guy and Bob’s Burgers.
Check out the preview for next Sunday’s doubled-up airings of “The Do-Over” and “Pranks for Nothing,” in which Phil will undoubtedly make himself look like an ass in several different ways.
The Last Man on Earth airs every Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET, though it will start a half-hour earlier this weekend. Expect Season 2 to get underway this fall.
