Is Last Man Standing airing tonight, Oct. 26?

Last Man Standing’s latest episode “One Flew Into the Empty Nest” doesn’t air till Nov. 2 with Game 3 of the MLB World Series in its place tonight on FOX.

It couldn’t be more fitting for Last Man Standing’s latest episode to be delayed a week for the MLB’s World Series between the Red Sox and Dodgers. Mike Baxter himself would approve! Season 7 of the series has maintained ratings in the 6s for the last few episodes with the premiere getting an impressive 8.13 according to TVByTheNumbers.

Last week’s episode scored a 6.28, and the series is clearly showing no signs of decline. In fact, Last Man Standing was No. 1 in its 8 p.m. ET time slot! Despite airing on a Friday nights, one of the more difficult time slots in television, the series has shown that its fanbase isn’t going anywhere. It wouldn’t be surprising to see FOX move the show to a prime time slot earlier in the week next season if ratings continue in this trend.

Surprisingly, season 7 has been a bit dark thematically for a comedy sitcom that just returned back to television. Exploring the passages of age, retirement, death, abandonment and much more. Episode 2 had Mike Baxter dealing with his father’s passing, followed by Ed wanting to retire and give Mike the business in episode 3. Much like Ed told Mike, “You don’t need me to run this business anymore. It’s losing a best friend that’s getting to you.” Truly showing, that the only constant guarantee in life is change. Just as Last Man Standing changed networks from ABC to FOX along with changing cast members throughout the years, even the narrative of the show is always going in a new path.

There is no certainty anywhere, not even on something as comfortable as a comedy sitcom. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air had its serious moments too, like the episode where Will’s dad returns only to leave him again. It seems nowadays more than ever, that the line between real life and comedy is being blurred. Viewers accept reality being intertwined into their entertainment, when once they searched for an escape from truth. Which is why shows today perhaps, have a sharper, grittier edge than the more family-friendly entertainment of the past.

Last Man Standing returns on FOX at its regular time of 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 2.