Grab your wrench: Tim Allen is back in comedy ‘Shifting Gears’
Grab your wrench: Tim Allen is back in comedy ‘Shifting Gears’
Kat Dennings joins Tim Allen in a comedy about rebuilding a family one loose bolt at a time.
Tim Allen is putting his trusty wrench to new use. Instead of “Home Improvement,” the funny man is “Shifting Gears” to work on classic cars (punny, aren’t I) in the new ABC comedy premiering on Wednesday, Jan. 8 and streaming the next day on Hulu. “Shifting Gears” follows Tim Allen as Matt, a stubborn widower who owns a classic car restoration shop. His life takes an unexpected turn when his estranged daughter, Riley (played by Kat Dennings), moves in with her two teenage children, where he learns that restoring relationships can be even trickier than restoring classic cars. Here’s everything you need to know about the new sitcom, “Shifting Gears.”
Everything you need to know about ‘Shifting Gears’:
What is ‘Shifting Gears’ about?
“Shifting Gears” is a new ABC sitcom about family, second chances, and finding humor in life’s chaos. The show follows Matt, a widower who runs a classic car restoration shop. He’s chugging along just fine when his estranged daughter, Riley, moves back home with her two teenage kids. As they all try to adjust to living under the same roof, they tackle the challenges of rebuilding relationships, sharing space, and navigating life’s messes - both in the shop and at home.
Like many of the characters Tim Allen plays, Matt’s worldview in “Shifting Gears” reflects his old-school approach to life as a widower and the owner of Parker Customs. He values tradition, hard work, and the satisfaction of fixing things with his hands—principles that have defined his life for years. His stubbornness and set ways create the friction (and comedy) in the show’s premise.
Despite his gruff exterior, Matt cares deeply for his family, and the shop, Parker Customs, becomes a space where he begins to mend relationships while staying true to his values. Because of that, the shop is more than just where he works - it’s the heart of the show. It sets the stage for family drama, personal growth, and a mix of old-school craftsmanship and modern-day challenges. It’s also where we meet Gabriel, a family friend who helps out, and Ed, a former Marine and talented mechanic, who brings a sense of teamwork to the shop. As Matt and Riley work on rebuilding their relationship, the shop becomes a symbol of second chances - not just for cars, but for family connections too.
What time will episodes of ‘Shifting Gears’ air?
“Shifting Gears” debuts with its first episode on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. You can then stream it on Hulu the next day. While Hulu doesn’t specify an exact release time, many new episodes are released at 3 a.m. ET – which is 12 midnight on the west coast.
Who are the main characters of ‘Shifting Gears’?
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Matt: Tim Allen plays Matt, bringing his classic persona back to ABC after “Home Improvement” and “Last Man Standing.” In “Shifting Gears,” he’s back in a fatherly role, mixing his character’s gruff side with plenty of heart in a way only Tim Allen can.
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Riley: Kat Dennings stars as Riley, Matt’s daughter, who’s moving back home to start over. She’s best known for starring in the hit show, “2 Broke Girls” that ran for six seasons on CBS.
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Gabriel: Played by Seann William Scott, Gabriel is a family friend who works at Matt’s car restoration shop, adding a layer of camaraderie and support to the family dynamic.
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Ed: Daryl Mitchell plays Ed - a former Marine and skilled mechanic at the car shop.
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Carter: Played by Maxwell Simkins, Carter is Riley’s teenage son who moves in with his mother to his grandfather’s house.
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Georgia: Played by Barrett Margolis, Georgia is Riley’s teenage daughter, navigating the challenges of high school while adapting to life with her grandfather and the new family setup.
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Eve Drake: Played by Jenna Elfman, Eve is a choreographer and owner of the dance studio across from Parker Customs, bringing energy and a new dynamic to the neighborhood.
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Caitlyn: Brenda Song plays Caitlyn - a former high school classmate of Riley’s who now serves as the assistant principal of the local school, reconnecting with Riley in unexpected (and hilarious) ways.
How to watch Tim Allen’s and Kat Dennings’ other hit shows
It’s no surprise that these two comedy stars are teaming up after each mastering the art of the sitcom in their own right. Tim Allen spent eight seasons on the hit show “Home Improvement” before adding another nine seasons of sitcom stardom on “Last Man Standing.” Kat Dennings, meanwhile, broke out with “2 Broke Girls,” before going on to star in “Dollface” for two seasons on Hulu.
Here’s how to stream Kat Dennings’ and Tim Allen’s other hit shows:
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Home Improvement
September 17, 1991The daily trials and tribulations of handyman Tim Taylor, a TV show host raising three boys with help from his loyal co-host, domineering wife, and unseen neighbor.
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Last Man Standing
October 11, 2011A married father of three tries to maintain his manliness in a world increasingly dominated by women.
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2 Broke Girls
September 19, 2011Comedy about the unlikely friendship that develops between two very different young women who meet waitressing at a diner in trendy Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and form a bond over one day owning their own successful cupcake business. Only one thing stands in their way – they’re broke.
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Dollface
November 15, 2019After being dumped by her longtime boyfriend, a young woman must deal with her own imagination in order to literally and metaphorically re-enter the world of women, and rekindle the female friendships she left behind.
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The Santa Clauses
November 16, 2022After nearly three decades of being Santa Claus, Scott Calvin’s magic begins to falter. As he struggles to keep up with the demands of the job, he discovers a new clause that forces him to rethink his role as Santa and as a father.
