It seems as though it has been some time since we heard about the new half-hour comedy show developed by Saturday Night Live alum Will Forte. Fox ordered The Last Man On Earth to series in February, and we’ve heard little or nothing since. It transpires that the radio silence was the result of the production focusing on making what looks to be an exciting, interesting TV show that is now set to premiere on March 1st 2015.
Created by Will Forte, and with its pilot episode directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie), The Last Man On Earth is an apocalyptic show, with a twist. Check out the plot summary below:
“From writer/producer Will Forte (Nebraska, Saturday Night Live) and directors/producers Chris Miller and Phil Lord (The Lego Movie, 21 Jump Street), The Last Man On Earth is a new single-camera comedy about the life and adventures of the last man on earth. The year is 2022, and after an unlikely event, only one man is left on earth: Phil Miller (Forte), who used to be just an average guy who loved his family and hated his job at the bank. Now, in his RV, Phil has travelled to every city, every town and every outpost in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and has found no one, which leads him to the painful realisation that he is almost certainly the last living being on the face of the earth.
“Sure, there are some positives that come with being the last person on earth. You can go live in the White House if you want. You can park in handicapped spots without an ounce of guilt. You can decorate your home with priceless works of art. You wanna wear a pair of tighty-whiteys and nothing else every single day of the year? Not a problem.
“The Last Man On Earth is a comedy about a man trying to make lemonade out of the most soul-crushing lemon there is. But, if anyone can do it, Phil Miller can. He’s not about to give up now. He is sad and so, so very lonely. But he’ll get through this. Because there’s a small kernel of hope that somewhere out there is another survivor. And maybe one day they’ll run into each other. That would be a good day. And if that survivor happened to be a woman? Well, then that would be a great day.
“The Last Man On Earth is produced by 20th Century Fox. The series will be executive produced by Forte, Lord, Miller and Seth Cohen.”
The trailer that has been released focuses its attention on introducing us to the character of Phil Miller, by emphasizing the fact that, since there is nobody else around, it would appear he is now the best in the world at everything. Cue many, many moments of broad comedy from Forte. It is Forte that makes this series such an exciting prospect. He has demonstrated in past works his capacity for vast emotional depth, as well as sharply observed comedy, and it is these factors – combined with the premise of extreme isolation – that suggests this new show could be something very special indeed.
The Last Man On Earth premieres on March 1st 2015.