In what might be described as “The Odd Couple” on TV steroids, Tim Allen and Kat Dennings are revving their engines for ABC’s latest comedy “Shifting Gears.” The show promises hilarious showdowns between Allen’s “boomer wisdom” and Dennings’ millennial sarcasm as the duo tackles parenting, politics, and why Allen still doesn’t know how TikTok works. (Spoiler: He refuses to learn.).
Described by some critics as “a sitcom for Tim Allen lovers” and others as “not as bad as expected,” the comedy explores the clash of generations with humor and heart, though it may not be superbly groundbreaking. One audience member reportedly laughed so hard when Tim Allen referred to organic kale as “rabbit food,” they momentarily considered moving their groceries to the “non-woke” aisle.
Daryl “Chill” Mitchell as Stitch, Seann William Scott as Gabriel, Maxwell Simkins as Carter, Barrett Margolis as Georgia, Tim Allen as Matt, and Kat Dennings as Riley.
Kat Dennings, fresh from her successes in “Dollface” and maybe surviving 2 Broke Girls’ diner grease trap, brings her signature wit and charm to the table—or maybe the repair shop. She pairs brilliantly with Allen’s cantankerous rants as they navigate cleverly-scripted conversations about social issues, bratty kids, and how modern dating apps make “talking to strangers” sound way less creepy. Dennings’ character might teach Allen’s how to swipe right—if he can figure out how to unlock his phone without his glasses.
Showrunner Jon Nader—who candidly admits to professionally stalking Kat Dennings’ career—stepped up to helm the project, calling the chemistry between the two leads “special” and making us curious about why our stalker jokes suddenly feel more acceptable. Nader also promises fans that they’ll finally have a reason to laugh about topics they normally argue over at Thanksgiving.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Allen’s grumbly, anti-“woke” humor or just tuning in to see Dennings school him on progressive ideals (and maybe snap a selfie for her ironic fan club), “Shifting Gears” has something to offer everyone, even those who secretly dream of mechanised dad jokes and multi-generational chaos. ABC is banking on this duo to keep us laughing, debating, and questioning why Tim Allen isn’t on TikTok yet.
