The second season of Shifting Gears roared onto ABC screens on October 1, pulling Tim Allen back into the spotlight with a mix of family drama and classic car vibes that fans of his earlier shows can't ignore. Starring alongside Kat Dennings as the estranged daughter Riley, Allen reprises his role as the gruff widower Matt, whose auto shop becomes a hub for reconciliation and, apparently, a parade of familiar faces from his sitcom past.
Indeed, the premiere episode wasted no time in leaning into nostalgia. Patricia Richardson, Allen's on-screen wife from Home Improvement, pops up as a grief group member, alongside Richard Karn and Debbe Dunning—talk about a time warp. And then there's Nancy Travis, who played his spouse on Last Man Standing for nine seasons, showing up as Matt's friend Charlotte, offering tough-love advice at a gravesite scene that feels both heartfelt and a tad contrived. These cameos aren't just Easter eggs; they weave into Matt's budding romance with Eve, portrayed by Jenna Elfman, adding layers of complication to his post-widowhood life.
Moreover, the season promises more episodes than the first—ABC bumped it up to an undisclosed higher count, signaling confidence in the multicam format that echoes Allen's heyday. Dennings brings her signature snark to Riley, navigating teen grandkids and shop chaos, while Seann William Scott adds fresh energy as a co-worker. However, the real draw seems to be these crossovers, hinting at a loose shared universe that ties Shifting Gears to Last Man Standing and beyond, even if it risks feeling like fan service over fresh storytelling.
Critics have noted the show's sociopolitical undercurrents, with Matt's conservative leanings clashing against Riley's modern views, much like Allen's real-life persona. Guest spots from Jay Leno and others keep the car theme revving, but one wonders if the nostalgia overload might stall the momentum. Still, with streaming on Hulu, it's accessible enough for casual viewers.
As Shifting Gears shifts into this crowded lane of reboots and reunions, it leaves room to ponder whether Allen's formula still drives audiences forward or just coasts on fumes.