You know that feeling when a classic car finally turns over after sitting in a garage for a decade? That’s basically the energy behind Shifting Gears, the Tim Allen new sitcom that’s currently taking over Wednesday nights on ABC.
Honestly, it feels like we’ve been here before. Tim Allen playing a gruff, slightly stubborn guy who’s obsessed with tools or cars? Check. A family dynamic that pushes his buttons? Check. But if you think this is just Home Improvement with a fresh coat of paint, you’re actually missing the best parts of the show.
It’s 2026, and the TV landscape is crowded with reboots and "spiritual successors," but Shifting Gears managed to do something pretty rare. It grabbed a massive audience—nearly 17 million multi-platform viewers for its series premiere—and it didn't do it just by leaning on nostalgia. It did it by pairing a sitcom legend with Kat Dennings.
That’s the secret sauce.
Why Shifting Gears Isn't Just Home Improvement 3.0
The premise is straightforward: Tim Allen plays Matt Parker. He’s a widower who runs a classic car restoration shop. He’s set in his ways, loves his routine, and speaks the language of torque and carburetors. Everything gets flipped on its head when his estranged daughter, Riley (played by the effortlessly dry Kat Dennings), moves back in with her two kids.
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Wait.
If that sounds like the plot of every multi-cam sitcom since 1994, you aren’t wrong. But the execution is where it gets interesting. Unlike the "Tool Man" era where the conflict was often about Tim being a bumbling husband, Matt Parker is dealing with real, modern-day friction. We’re talking about "accommodations" for his grandson’s anxiety and a daughter who isn't afraid to call him out on his "old school" nonsense.
The Kat Dennings Factor
Most people didn't see this pairing coming. Kat Dennings, known for 2 Broke Girls and the MCU, brings a sharp, cynical edge that balances Allen’s boisterous "man’s man" persona.
They aren't just playing father and daughter; they’re playing two different philosophies of life. Riley is a divorced mom trying to rebuild her life, and she doesn't treat her dad like a hero. She treats him like a project that needs as much restoration as the 1956 Ford F-100 sitting in his shop.
The Supporting Cast That Actually Matters
It’s not just the Allen and Dennings show. The workshop is populated by people who actually feel like they have lives outside of the main plot.
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- Seann William Scott: He plays Gabriel, a family friend who works at the shop. Scott brings that "Stifler-lite" energy but with a bit more maturity. He’s the bridge between Matt’s world and Riley’s.
- Daryl "Chill" Mitchell: As Stitch, a former Marine and mechanic, he provides the grounded, no-nonsense perspective that the show needs when the family drama gets too loud.
- The Kids: Maxwell Simkins (Carter) and Barrett Margolis (Georgia) aren't just there to deliver one-liners. They represent the generational gap that Matt is desperately trying to bridge, even if he won’t admit it.
The Production Drama You Probably Missed
The road to getting Shifting Gears on air wasn't exactly a smooth ride. It’s funny how these things work—sometimes the behind-the-scenes stuff is as dramatic as the script.
Originally, the show was developed by Mike Scully and Julie Thacker Scully. They wrote the pilot, but by the time ABC greenlit the series, they were out. In came Michelle Nader as the showrunner. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because she ran 2 Broke Girls and Dollface.
Nader basically "professionally stalked" Kat Dennings to get her on this project. That’s why the chemistry feels so lived-in. They’ve worked together for years. They know how to make a joke land without it feeling like it was written by a robot.
And then there’s the guest stars. Since we’re well into the second season now, the show has leaned heavily into Tim Allen’s "cinematic universe." We’ve seen Patricia Richardson and Richard Karn pop up. We’ve even seen Nancy Travis from Last Man Standing show up as a widow named Charlotte. It’s fan service, sure, but it works because the show has enough of its own identity to survive the cameos.
Realism in the Shop
One thing that makes the Shifting Gears sitcom stand out to car enthusiasts is the attention to detail. This isn't a Hollywood set where people hold a wrench the wrong way.
The production designer, Stephan Olson, actually looked at Tim Allen’s personal car collection for inspiration. The shop in the show is modeled after a real-life custom hot rod shop in L.A. called BS Industries.
There are even "Easter eggs" for die-hard fans. Remember the 1934 Ford Victoria that Tim Allen turned into an electric vehicle with a Tesla drivetrain in real life? The show references that. It mentions Matt Parker’s aversion to EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) versus carburetors. It’s a show written by people who actually know what’s under a hood.
The 2026 Mid-Season Break and What’s Next
If you’re looking for new episodes right now, you might notice a gap in the schedule. ABC followed a more traditional network model for Season 2. After a run of episodes in late 2025, the show took a brief "winter nap."
Mark your calendars: Shifting Gears returns for the second half of Season 2 on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 8 pm ET. ABC actually expanded the season to 13 episodes because the ratings were so high. It’s currently outperforming Abbott Elementary in some demographics, which is wild when you think about how different those two shows are.
What to expect in the rest of Season 2:
- More Guest Stars: We’ve already heard whispers about Luke Macfarlane making an appearance.
- The "Restoration" of Riley: We’re finally going to see more of Riley’s career aspirations outside of just being "the daughter who moved back home."
- The Gabriel/Riley Dynamic: Are they going to do the "will-they-won't-they" thing? Honestly, it’s looking that way, and Gabriel’s new girlfriend Amelie (played by Carson Fagerbakke) is definitely going to be a roadblock.
Is It Worth the Watch?
Look, if you hate multi-cam sitcoms with laugh tracks, this probably won't change your mind. It’s a traditional format. It’s loud, it’s brightly lit, and the jokes come fast.
But if you want a show that feels like a warm blanket—something you can watch with your parents without it being awkward, but also something that doesn't feel like it was written in 1985—Shifting Gears hits the mark. It’s about the "real restoration" of a family, not just a car.
It’s surprisingly human. It’s definitely funny. And honestly, it’s just good to see Tim Allen back in his element without it feeling like a tired retread.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Catch Up on Hulu: If you’ve missed the first season or the early episodes of Season 2, they are all streaming on Hulu and Disney+. It’s only about 16 episodes total so far, so it’s an easy weekend binge.
- Set Your DVR: Make sure you’re tuned in for the mid-season premiere on January 7, 2026. The ratings for the first episode back usually determine if the show gets an early Season 3 renewal.
- Watch the "Easter Eggs": If you’re a car person, pay attention to the background of the shop. Many of the cars are actually from Tim Allen’s personal warehouse, and the "projects" they work on often mirror real-life restoration challenges.