When you have been watching Shifting Gears because it hit the 2025 TV schedule, you’ll know there are some variations between Tim Allen’s character within the new ABC collection and his character in earlier community sitcoms. He’s now not a instrument man (like Dwelling Enchancment) or an outdoorsman (like Final Man Standing), however a automobile man. He’s now not a married husband however a grieving widower. He’s now not a dad but additionally a grandad to older children. And he not too long ago revealed why his character could be very completely different on his new present with Kat Dennings.
Specifically, when the venture was being pitched, Allen stated he had one request about his character if he had been to return to community TV. He needed a personality that was “nearer” to his actual character, and we’re not simply speaking about his signature grunts.
It is a new character and it’s a lot nearer to [who I am]. I’ve been by means of grief in my life with shedding my father. I’ve been blessed to be a comic and in order that’s who this [character] is. If I did it once more, I needed to get as a lot nearer to the [man] that I’m.
After Allen made his request identified, it sounds just like the writing staff started working and crafted a personality who actually is just like the actor. His love for traditional vehicles shines in Shifting Gears, as Matt owns an auto store and Allen even informed CinemaBlend the present is utilizing a few of his vehicles! He is a humorous man who makes use of humor to chop by means of grief, a response the actor might entry as a result of he has handled disappointment in his private life.
Moreover, Allen informed Us Weekly one factor he needed to hammer house is that Matt Parker is “not a ‘man’s man’” similar to himself in actual life. Allen grew up in a family of ladies, and had two daughters in his marriages to Laura Deibel and Jane Hajduk (ladies who’re to not be confused together with his “TV spouse” Nancy Travis).
He’s extra like me. I’m extra of an artist. I used to be a design scholar and a thinker and my standup comedy is admittedly about messing with individuals in a great way. I got here from an enormous household run by ladies. So my perspective could be very completely different about males. I don’t suppose we run issues. So I need this to be that man. He’s not a ‘man’s man’ in that time period, and he wasn’t attempting to be something however what he does.
In the end, it is working. Kat Dennings is a good reside studio viewers sparring accomplice, and the 2 of them have a real-life commonality as nicely. Shifting Gears already hit a milestone at ABC, so here is hoping it stays on the air lengthy sufficient to achieve a future the place there’s some sitcom crossover like on Final Man Standing.
Personally, I’ve all the time form of felt that Tim Allen as a comic is accessing part of himself in each function he is taken on, however on this case it positively feels like Matt Parker was particularly designed to hit nearer to dwelling. After 30+ years within the business, the actor deserves it.