Warning: this article contains SPOILERS for Shifting Gears episode 6.Shifting Gearshas continued expanding its Tim Allen shared universe, but the latest guest star highlights the sitcom’s most concerning issue.Shifting Gearsfollows Allen’s Matt, a widower who owns a car restoration shop and unexpectedly reconnects with his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings). Riley brings along her children, Carter (Maxwell Simkins) and Georgia (Barrett Margolis), who complete the oddball family. WhileShifting Gearsfollows a classic sitcom formula, the end product has had mixed success. WithShifting Gearsseason 2still unconfirmed, Tim Allen’s newest title needs to carefully evaluate its weaknesses as they come to light.
Although the sitcom has raked in impressive early ratings (likely due toTim Allen headlining theShifting Gearscast), the critical response has been less than favorable. Arguably the most recurring issue critics took withShifting Gearswas the main character himself, claiming that Tim Allen’s new character was indistinguishable from his past sitcom roles.Allen previously ledHome Improvementas Tim Taylor andLast Man Standingas Mike Baxter, both extremely popular titles that leave Matt Parker with generational shoes to fill. Unfortunately,Shifting Gears’s latest Allen-verse callback only highlights its Matt problem.
Shifting Gears Episode 6 Reunites Tim Allen With Last Man Standing’s Nancy Travis
Allen And Travis Were Last Man Standing’s Main Couple
Shifting Gearshas included sporadic callbacks to Allen’s former work, likeMike Baxter’s truck appearing inShifting Gearsepisode 3. The sitcom abandoned subtlety inShifting Gearsepisode 6 by casting Nancy Travis as Charlotte, a widow who encourages Matt to be open to future romances. From 2011 to 2021, Nancy Travis played Tim Allen’s wife (Vanessa Baxter) inLast Man Standing. WithShifting Gearsmarking Allen’s first network television role followingLast Man Standing’s finale, it makes sense to include major co-stars from past hits. However, the mere presence of Travis underscores the difficulty ofShifting Gearsmaintaining originality.
Shifting Gears Episode 6 Exposes What Tim Allen’s Matt Really Needs To Be Compelling
Shifting Gears episode 6 continues unpacking Matt’s grief, but it also reveals what Tim Allen’s character has been missing in the ABC sitcom.
At first glance, Travis appearance is a fitting sendoff toLast Man Standing, with Charlotte helping Matt move on symbolically synchronized with Allen moving on from previous sitcoms withShifting Gears. As Vanessa, Travis played Allen’s wife. As Charlotte, Travis played a character who helped Allen move on from his wife. Sadly, the casting distracted more than it aided, as seeing Travis and Allen interact on screen instantly dilutedShifting Gearsepisode 6 into aLast Man Standingreunion. Charlotte’s last line in the episode only pours salt in the wound.
Charlotte’s Joke About Matt Being Too Similar To His Ex Highlights How Similar Tim Allen’s Characters Are
Matt Hasn’t Stood Out Enough
Despite Charlotte consistently urging Matt to return to the dating pool inShifting Gearsepisode 6, she clarifies they can’t pursue a relationship with each other.Charlotte says Matt reminds her too much of“the last man [she] was with,”an obvious nod to Travis and Allen’s history onLast Man Standing. While a clever acknowledgment of the elephant in the room, the truth behind the statement is cause for concern. Thepoor initial reviews forShifting Gearscan easily be summarized in a simple phrase:Shifting Gearsfollows a Tim Allen character, not a character played by Tim Allen.
Shifting Gearsfailing to set itself apart from Tim Allen’s past sitcoms could be a death sentence.
Shifting Gearshas backed itself into a corner with the frequent Tim Allen references, withholding the freedom that the sitcom needs to develop its own identity. It’s entirely possible that a significant portion of the audience didn’t expect anything groundbreaking from theShifting Gearspremiere, but if the comedy wants a chance at longevity, it needs to find what makes it unique. In a world where titles likeAbbott Elementaryare redefining genres andHigh Potentialis fundamentally changing the lead actor’s image,Shifting Gearsfailing to set itself apart from Tim Allen’s past sitcoms could be a death sentence.
How Shifting Gears Can Make Matt Parker Unique From Mike Baxter (& Tim Taylor)
The Sitcom Needs To Find Its Footing
While the continual nods toLast Man Standing,Home Improvement, and evenThe Santa Clauseare good for a quick laugh,Shifting Gearsneeds to build a foundation for itself before inviting further comparison to Allen’s old hits. Despite Matt’s character reading similar to both Mike and Tim,Shifting Gearsalready has a few key distinctions that can help solidify a unique presence— if the sitcom just lets it. The introduction ofMatt’s dramatic grief storyline inShifting Gearsepisode 4perfectly displays how there are original aspects that just need to be elaborated on, independent of scene-stealing references.
Barrett Margolis
Georgia
Having emotional storylines helps to humanize characters, but Matt’s grief inShifting Gearsadditionally helps him stand out. The more timeShifting Gearsspends on exploring Matt as a character, the less he will pale in comparison to the decades-long reign of Mike Baxter and Tim Taylor. Though it may disappoint some,Shifting Gearsneeds to dial back its Allen callbacks. Unless the sitcom gives its characters time to cement themselves,Shifting Gearsrisks permanently living in the shadow of Tim Allen’s past roles, dooming the comedy and the rest of the cast in the process.
