The latest update forShifting Gearsconfirms a big reunion forlead star Tim Allen. The new ABC multi-cam comedy, about a father reconnecting with his estranged daughter, has already included a few notable reunions. Allen reunites with hisGalaxy Questco-star Daryl “Chill” Mitchell. Co-lead Kat Dennings reunited with Brenda Song after the two led the Hulu dramedyDollface. But for an upcoming episode, two former on-screen spouses will again attempt to find that spark — albeit as different characters.
Us Weeklyreveals thatAllen will reunite with Nancy Travis, who played his wife Vanessa Baxter in the nine-season sitcomLast Man Standing.Travis will appear in an upcoming episode ofShifting Gears, playing a spirited widow named Charlottewho will reconnect with the widower Matt (Allen). Although the exact episode is not yet known, it marks the first time they’ve reunited sinceLast Man Standingended in 2021. Check out the photo from the episode below:
What The Last Man Standing Reunion Means For Shifting Gears
The Spirited Widow May Cause Friction
Shifting Gearsis focused on the tense relationship between Riley (Dennings) and Matt, as Riley is forced to move back in with her father after a period of estrangement. Matt reluctantly accepts, welcoming his two grandkids as well. Still, the car restoration shop owner has his misgivings. But part of what allows them to start to reconcile is that they are both mourning: Riley still misses her mom and Matt still grieves for his late wife. It’s easy to see how Travis' arrival, as a potential love interest, could prove to be a hurdle.
Barrett Margolis
Georgia
The ABC show, which has broken viewership records, hails from showrunner and executive producer Michelle Nader. It has one advantage with the upcoming Charlotte storyline. It’ll bethe first time that Allen will have a love interest in a sitcom, as he’s portrayed married men in bothHome ImprovementandLast Man Standing. This could prove to be significant as well, in case Travis sticks around and recurs for the likelyShifting Gearsseason 2.
Our Take On Shifting Gears Welcoming Nancy Travis
It Continues A Trend
There were significantHome Improvementreunions onLast Man Standing, with Allen even briefly reprising the role of Tim Taylor for an episode.Shifting Gearskeeps up that tradition, though it will be interesting to see just how big of a role Travis plays either directly as Charlotte or in terms of influencing the core father-daughter relationship.
New episodes ofShifting Gearsair Wednesdays on ABC at 8 PM EST and stream on Hulu the next day.
Shifting Gears
Cast
Shifting Gears is a drama about Matt, a widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop. Matt’s estranged daughter Riley and her teenage children move into his home, challenging him to rebuild both familial and personal connections.
