Tim Allen's latest venture on ABC, Shifting Gears, has hit the gas for its second season, bringing back the actor's signature blend of family dynamics and wry humor. Premiering earlier this month, the show picks up with widower Matt navigating life in his classic car workshop alongside his recently divorced daughter Riley and her teenage kids. It's a setup that echoes Allen's past hits, but with enough fresh grit to keep things from feeling like a retread. Indeed, the season opener dives right into Matt's evolving relationships, including a budding romance that's equal parts awkward and endearing.
Central to the buzz is the reunion with Nancy Travis, Allen's onscreen wife from Last Man Standing. Travis pops up in the premiere, delivering a sharp-tongued takedown that has fans chuckling—and perhaps wincing. She calls out Matt's flirtations with a pointed jab, labeling him a "slut" in a moment that's played for laughs but hints at the show's willingness to poke at Allen's everyman persona. This isn't Travis's first rodeo with the series; she guest-starred last season in a Valentine's Day episode, sparking chemistry that felt both familiar and forced. Her return adds a layer of nostalgia, reminding viewers of the Baxters' banter without fully committing to a deeper crossover.
However, the nostalgia doesn't stop there. The episode also features cameos from Allen's Home Improvement days, with Patricia Richardson and others making brief but impactful appearances. It's a savvy move by the producers, capitalizing on Allen's decades-long TV legacy while introducing new tensions in Matt's world—like workplace rivalries and family reconciliations. Kat Dennings shines as Riley, bringing her deadpan wit to the chaos, and Seann William Scott adds comic relief as a hapless coworker. Yet, one can't help but notice how the show leans heavily on these reunions, sometimes at the expense of standalone stories. The 22-episode order suggests ABC is betting big, but early episodes reveal a formula that's comfortable, if not always innovative.
Moreover, Jenna Elfman joins as a recurring love interest, complicating Matt's post-widowhood flings in ways that feel authentically messy. Daryl Mitchell rounds out the shop crew with his steady presence, grounding the ensemble amid the generational clashes. As Shifting Gears shifts into gear for the fall, it raises questions about whether Allen's brand of blue-collar comedy still resonates in today's landscape—or if it's just revving on fumes from the past.