‘Shifting Gears’: How Is Tim Allen’s New ABC Sitcom? (POLL)
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Shifting Gears, Season 1 Episode 1, “Restoration.”]
Shifting Gears has arrived, marking Tim Allen‘s network TV return following his long run with Fox‘s Last Man Standing. Allen returns to ABC, and, in this new series, steps into the role of Matt, a car restoration shop owner with some strong opinions who finds himself in quite the predicament when his estranged daughter Riley (Kat Dennings) pops up with her two kids looking for a place to stay.
Disney / Mike Taing
Matt and Riley have been particularly out of touch since his wife (her mother) died, leaving them without a bridge to connect through. As Riley faces a divorce from her bass player husband Jimmy, her lack of funds and a job send her barreling from Las Vegas to her dad in California.
Agreeing to make the situation work as best they can, Riley aims to settle in and Matt spends time with his grandson Carter (Maxwell Simkins) and granddaughter Georgia (Barrett Margolis). In an effort to find common ground with them, Matt suggests that Carter learns how to drive, giving lessons in a parking lot before things go awry.
When the demonstration turns into a minor accident, Riley and Matt are forced to face the underlying issues of their estrangement, particularly their unresolved grief over the loss of their family matriarch. As with many comedies, Shifting Gears has its hit-and-miss moments, but there’s definitely something gripping about the more emotional heartfelt moments like a scene that Riley and Matt share in his kitchen reminiscing over an old recipe.
The episode also made way for the introduction of Matt’s colleagues, Stitch (Daryl Mitchell), and Gabriel (Seann William Scott), the latter of whom happens to be best friends with Riley’s brother, who isn’t revealed in this episode. And as we look ahead to the show’s upcoming installments, a solid base has been built, but how does it hold up? Let us know what your initial thoughts of Shifting Gears in the reader poll, below, and sound off in the comments section, below.
Shifting Gears, Wednesdays, 8/7c, ABC
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P
I thought the acting of the other actors looked forced. Particularly Kat. Dennings did a poor job. I had high hopes for this show. I loved Allen's other two shows but this show left me flat.
16 5
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R
Simkins, Dennings and Margolis appear very inexperienced and stiff. It seems like Tim had to carry them. The idea surrounding the show is great. Just need better actors to surround Tim to add to his humor.
11 3
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B
So far, s o good. Good dialogue, witty and well spoken. There is good chemistry between Allen and Jennings. The character is similar to one his other series, however. So it is a good start, but I will be interested in how it holds up over the next few weeks.
10 2
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O
Did I watch the same show as you guys? I thought it was absolutely terrible. From the awful writing, awful acting, overbearing laugh track, and bad casting. Especially those two kids. Allen and Dennings also have zero chemistry. I was hoping it would be half as good as "Last Man Standing" (which I loved, when it was on ABC). But it's no where close.
8 1
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P
I enjoyed it. Kat looked a bit lost at times ,with not knowing where to stand or what to do with her hands. She needs to work on loosing the needless smirk.
7 3
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R
Great, have been looking forward to Tim Allen and his return!
7 3
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G
Loved it. Looking forward for more episodes. Pilot shows need more time.
5 2
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G
Awful totally agree with other comments. Denning was lost. Only way to make it worse is to have Jay Leno show up.
3 1
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G
I loved Kat on 2 Broke Girls and was looking forward to this new show. I would give the first episode a 6/10. Tim was good but Kat was off. She seemed awkward and uncomfortable, not related to the storyline. I will keep watching for now.
2
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G
Good start. We laughed out loud quite a bit. Looking forward to more.
5 3
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O
i love this show i think that this is the best show cant wait for the second episode
5 3
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O
the writers and whoever green lit this will all be fired, why do we keep getting bad shows from Tim.... so embarrassed unwatchable was the vote from me, my wife our 5 kids ages 18-5... we tried..
3 2
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G
Another poorly written "comedy" that overuses a laugh track so much it distracts you from hearing the unfunny jokes. We didn't last 10 minutes before turning it off. Laugh tracks are not necessary if the material is actually funny.
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O
Personally, didn’t care for the girl playing the daughter I agree with others on this site. She didn’t seem to have the chemistry to work with Tim. I hope she goes on a long trip and is replaced soon.
5 5
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G
Enjoyed tim allens new show look forward to the next episode
1
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O
I think once we get to know the characters it's going to be great. I love Tim and Kat and I think the other characters are going to blend nicely
1
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O
It was ok. I love Kat, but they really have to write to her style as Tim is better at being a Bit more flexible in his style. Her style is very dry humor, and the writers and directors will really need to find that comfort zone. All shows have growing pains from their pilots. we'll see
1
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R
I think they should have used some of old cast from their other shows the daughter doesn't impress me
5 6
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G
I thought Shifting Gears was very funny.It has a good crew of know back up funny characters in it as well as the teenage boy is really good
2
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P
It's a divided show and bringing politics into it means half the viewers hate Tim and half hate everyone else. Producers are dumb, Tim should.just shut up about politics but has so said so much it's hard to enjoy him at all. Republican support at all these days is just stupid and forced media, whole party is corrupt, media support is also corrupt
5 7
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O
I don't mind a one liner as long as it doesn't push an agenda for either side. I thought it was handled fairly good here especially as there was a quick retort.
3 1
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