Tim Allen is back. Again. Honestly, it feels like the guy has a permanent lease on the multi-cam sitcom format, and after the massive runs of Home Improvement and Last Man Standing, he’s officially shifted back to ABC. His newest series, Shifting Gears, isn't just another carbon copy of Mike Baxter or Tim Taylor, though. It’s got a different engine under the hood.
The show premiered on January 8, 2025, and it didn't just walk into the room; it kicked the door down. Within its first week, it racked up nearly 17 million viewers across ABC and Hulu. That’s a 173% jump from its live broadcast numbers. People still want to see the "Toolman" do his thing, even if he's traded the power tools for vintage hot rods.
Why Shifting Gears is More Than Just "Last Man Standing" Part Two
If you’re expecting a 1:1 remake of his previous hits, you might be surprised. In Shifting Gears, Allen plays Matt Parker. He’s a widower. He’s gruff. He owns a classic car restoration shop (Parker Customs) in Los Angeles. But the real friction—the kind that makes for good TV—comes from his estranged daughter, Riley, played by Kat Dennings.
Riley didn’t just move home because she missed her dad. She’s broke, newly divorced, and has two kids in tow: the tech-dependent Carter (Maxwell Simkins) and the high-energy Georgia (Barrett Margolis). This isn't just a "dad knows best" scenario. Riley is sharp, sarcastic, and more than willing to give her father the "double bird" if he pushes too hard.
The dynamic is interesting. Unlike Last Man Standing, where Allen’s character often had the final word on every cultural debate, Shifting Gears lets Kat Dennings bite back. She brings that dry, 2 Broke Girls wit that actually makes Matt look a little out of his depth.
The Cast That Keeps the Engine Running
You can't have a Tim Allen show without a "guy's guy" supporting cast. This time around, we’ve got Seann William Scott—yes, Stifler himself—playing Gabriel. He’s a family friend who works at the shop and essentially serves as the bridge between Matt’s old-school ways and Riley’s modern reality.
Then there’s Stitch, played by the veteran Daryl “Chill” Mitchell. He’s a former Marine mechanic who provides the necessary reality checks when Matt starts acting too stubborn.
- Tim Allen as Matt Parker: The stubborn widower.
- Kat Dennings as Riley Parker: The sarcastic, struggling daughter.
- Seann William Scott as Gabriel: The shop’s peacemaker.
- Daryl “Chill” Mitchell as Stitch: The no-nonsense mechanic.
- Maxwell Simkins as Carter: The anxious, screen-obsessed grandson.
Is Season 2 Already Happening?
Short answer: Yes.
ABC didn't wait long. They renewed Shifting Gears for a second season back in April 2025. The second season actually kicked off on October 1, 2025, and the network even upped the episode count from 10 to 13 mid-run. That's usually a sign that the streaming numbers are doing the heavy lifting even when the live ratings dip a bit.
One of the coolest things about the current season is the guest list. We’ve seen some heavy hitters walk through the shop doors. Jay Leno showed up to get a car fixed. Gabriel Iglesias and Lori Greiner appeared as themselves. But the real kicker for 90s kids? A mini Home Improvement reunion. Patricia Richardson, Richard Karn, and Debbe Dunning all signed on for guest spots in the Season 2 premiere.
The Critics vs. The Fans
The "expert" reviews were... well, they were mixed. Rotten Tomatoes critics called it "flavorless" and "stuck in neutral." They complained about flat jokes and a formulaic feel.
But here’s the thing: fans don't care.
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The show is built for a specific audience. It’s for the people who want to sit on the couch at 8:00 PM on a Wednesday and watch a guy complain about how much the world has changed while secretly being a big softie for his grandkids. It’s "boomer bait," sure, but it’s high-quality bait. The chemistry between Allen and Dennings is actually quite poignant at times. There’s a scene in the pilot where they get genuinely emotional about their years of silence, and according to Dennings, that wasn't just acting—it felt real on set.
What You Should Watch For Next
If you’re catching up on Hulu or Disney+, keep an eye on how the "restoration" theme plays out. It's a bit on the nose, obviously—restoring cars while restoring a family—but it works.
Season 2 is currently leaning into more romantic entanglements for Matt. Nancy Travis (who played Allen's wife in Last Man Standing) even made a guest appearance as Charlotte Miller, a widow who catches Matt’s eye. It’s a meta-wink to the audience that reminds you exactly whose world you're living in.
Key things to do now:
- Catch up on Season 1: It's only 10 episodes, and they move fast.
- Check the Wednesday lineup: ABC has been pairing this with the Scrubs reboot, making it a solid block of nostalgia.
- Watch the background: Most of the cars in the shop are inspired by or modeled after Tim Allen’s real-life North Hollywood garage.
- Look for the "Easter eggs": There are constant nods to Buzz Lightyear and Binford Tools if you look closely at the shop shelves.
The show isn't trying to reinvent television. It’s trying to be a comfortable pair of shoes. And judging by the 17 million people who tuned in for the start, those shoes still fit pretty well.