Tim Allen shared his thoughts on the possibility of his former Home Improvement costar Jonathan Taylor Thomas appearing on his new sitcom, Shifting Gears. He expressed his excitement at the idea of sharing the screen with Thomas again, referring to him as “literally my kid” and revealing that Thomas had recently visited the set of the new show. Allen, who played the role of Mike Baxter in Last Man Standing, also hinted at his desire to work with Thomas again, as he had reunited with him on screen for four episodes of Last Man Standing.
Despite Thomas stepping back from acting and remaining out of the public eye, Allen continued to find success in his roles as a sitcom dad. He mentioned that his former onscreen wife, Nancy Travis, once jokingly reminded him that their on-screen relationships were not real, highlighting the close bond he shared with his castmates. Allen currently stars as Matt Parker in Shifting Gears, where he plays a widowed father opposite an estranged daughter portrayed by Kat Dennings. The duo quickly formed a strong connection on set, with Allen praising Dennings for her comedic skills and their natural chemistry on screen.
Dennings also shared her positive experience working with Allen, acknowledging the immediate trust and bond that formed between them. She emphasized the organic nature of their comedy scenes and the fun they had while filming arguments on the show. The trust and chemistry between Dennings and Allen allowed them to elevate their performances and create humorous and engaging scenes in Shifting Gears. Their personal connection off-screen translated into a strong on-screen relationship that resonated with viewers.
While Allen initially had reservations about returning to sitcoms, he eventually decided to take on the role in Shifting Gears, despite the changes in the television landscape due to streaming platforms. He wanted to ensure that if he returned to linear TV, he would elevate the content and provide viewers with a quality show. Shifting Gears airs on ABC on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET and is also available for streaming on Hulu the following day. Overall, Allen’s reunion with Thomas on screen and his collaboration with Dennings in Shifting Gears have been positive experiences, allowing him to continue his successful career in television.
