Tim Allen is back in the driver's seat for the second season of his ABC sitcom Shifting Gears, premiering on October 1 after a solid first run that blended family drama with auto shop antics. The show, centering on widower Matt, played by Allen, as he navigates life with his divorced daughter Riley and grandkids, picks up right where it left off—messy relationships and heartfelt laughs. Indeed, the premiere episode doesn't hold back, reuniting Allen with a parade of past co-stars that feels almost too nostalgic for comfort.
Nancy Travis, Allen's onscreen wife from Last Man Standing, makes a cheeky return, poking fun at his character's budding romance with Jenna Elfman's Eve. In the episode, Travis's character quips about Allen being a "slut," a line that's equal parts playful jab and meta commentary on his history of sitcom heartthrobs. It's the kind of insider humor that rewards longtime fans, but one wonders if it risks leaning too heavily on callbacks. Travis, who first guested in Season 1 as a mourning widow, brings that familiar Baxter family warmth, though her role here stays brief.
Moreover, the nostalgia train chugs on with Patricia Richardson, Allen's Home Improvement spouse Jill Taylor, appearing in the opener alongside Elfman. Photos from the set show the trio together, sparking inevitable comparisons to Allen's earlier hits. Season 2 promises more ensemble energy, with regulars like Kat Dennings as Riley, Seann William Scott as coworker Gabriel, and Daryl Mitchell rounding out the shop crew. The trailer hints at escalating sparks between Matt and Eve, complicated by these surprise visits.
However, not everything's smooth sailing. Critics might note how the reunions, while fun, occasionally overshadow the new cast's development—Riley's post-divorce arc gets a nod, but it's the star power that dominates. Allen, at 72, still commands the screen with his gruff charm, directing some episodes himself this season. The show's move to broader family themes echoes Last Man Standing's conservative-leaning vibe, though toned down for wider appeal.
As Shifting Gears accelerates into its sophomore year, it raises questions about whether Allen's formula still shifts public tastes or just idles in place.