Tim Allen Returns to Sitcoms with ‘Shifting Gears’ on ABC

Tim Allen is making his return to the sitcom world with ABC‘s new series, ‘Shifting Gears,’ premiering January 8 at 8 p.m. ET. The show marks Allen’s first multi-camera sitcom since his iconic role as Tim Taylor on ‘Home Improvement.’ Allen stars as Matt Parker, a widowed mechanic attempting to reconnect with his estranged daughter Riley, played by Kat Dennings, who moves back home with her two children.

Dennings, known for her role in ‘2 Broke Girls,’ described the experience of working with Allen as a ‘full-circle moment.’ She shared that meeting Jonathan Taylor Thomas, who played Allen’s son Randy on ‘Home Improvement,’ on set was particularly thrilling. ‘It was a really big deal for me,’ Dennings told Yahoo Entertainment. ‘I was trying to be cool. I don’t think I succeeded, but it was awesome.’

The series also features Seann William Scott, best known for his role in the ‘American Pie‘ franchise, and Daryl ‘Chill’ Mitchell, who starred in ‘10 Things I Hate About You.’ Scott, making his multi-cam sitcom debut, expressed his excitement about the format, calling it ‘like putting on a new play every week in front of a live audience.’

Allen and Dennings quickly developed a strong on-screen chemistry, which Dennings attributed to their shared comedic sensibilities. ‘We’re both born on the same day — many years apart,’ Allen joked. ‘Our attitude about comedy is very similar. Kat cracks me up, and I’m not easy that way.’

‘Shifting Gears’ explores themes of family, grief, and reconciliation, with Allen’s character navigating the challenges of rebuilding relationships while running a car restoration shop. The show promises to deliver both humor and heart, with Mitchell emphasizing that audiences will ‘laugh and enjoy themselves.’

Allen, who has been a staple of American sitcoms for decades, expressed his hope that ‘Shifting Gears’ will elevate the traditional sitcom format in the era of streaming. ‘I was so depressed at how streaming has hurt television,’ Allen admitted. ‘If I did it, I want to elevate it.’

The series will air on ABC and stream the following day on Hulu, offering viewers a chance to experience Allen’s return to the sitcom genre that made him a household name.