Kat Dennings is singing the praises of her Shifting Gears co-star Tim Allen, calling their collaboration a highlight of her career. The duo leads the new ABC sitcom, which centers on Matt (Allen), a widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop, as his estranged daughter Riley (Dennings) and her two kids move back into his home. Dennings previously made her mark in the multi-cam sitcom genre as the star of 2 Broke Girls, which ran for six successful seasons on CBS. Shifting Gears airs Wednesdays at 8pm EST on ABC.
In an interview with People, Dennings shared her admiration for Allen as they take on their roles as an unconventional father-daughter duo. She noted the remarkable bond Allen has with his long-standing production crew, many of whom have worked with him since Home Improvement and Last Man Standing. Dennings also reflected on their on-screen chemistry, particularly enjoying scenes where their characters butt heads. Here’s what she had to say:
Tim Allen, I will say, is my favorite TV dad of all time. It’s been a real joy doing this show. [His crew] followed him through all of his projects, which I think is a real testament to him as a person.
We have a very funny banter. We really enjoy these scenes where we’re arguing. It’s really fun.
What Tim Allen & Kat Dennings’ Chemistry Means
Bridging Generations Through Comedy And Connection
Dennings’ connection to Allen on Shifting Gears continues her journey of sharing the screen with memorable Hollywood father figures. Dennings fondly shared that she “grew up watching Home Improvement,” where Allen portrayed the sarcastic but lovable father of three sons. With iconic roles like Santa Claus in The Santa Clause films and the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Pixar’s Toy Story, Dennings described Allen as “a big part of [her] consciousness growing up,” making her collaboration with the multi-generational icon a particularly meaningful milestone.
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This isn’t the first time Dennings has portrayed a daughter opposite a beloved on-screen dad. One of her earliest roles was as the daughter of the late Bob Saget in the early 2000s sitcom Raising Dad. Later, in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, she played Marla, the stepdaughter of Steve Carell. The actor looks back fondly on the roles, noting “I’ve been very lucky.” As ScreenRant‘s Ana Dumaraog writes in her Shifting Gears review, Dennings continues to bring her sharp wit and heart to Shifting Gears, commending her ease in going “toe-to-toe with a sitcom icon like Allen.“
Our Take On Kat Dennings & Tim Allen’s Collaboration
Revisiting the Sitcom Formula With Star Power
Allen’s return to television with Shifting Gears revisits the gruff yet lovable archetype that has defined much of his career. Dennings, no stranger to the classic sitcom format herself, shines as she matches Allen’s banter with a dynamic that anchors their unconventional family. While early reviews note that Shifting Gears leans heavily on Allen’s nostalgic appeal, the show’s long-term success will depend on its ability to transcend familiar tropes. By allowing Dennings’ character to evolve independently of her father, the series could break free from its cookie-cutter dynamics, and Shifting Gears could easily become an ABC mainstay.
Source: People
Matt, a widowed and stubborn owner of a classic car restoration shop, has his life turned upside down when his estranged daughter, Riley, and her teenage children move in with him.
- Release Date
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January 8, 2025
- Character(s)
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Matt
, Riley
, Ed
, Carter
, Georgia - Seasons
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1
- TMDB User Rating
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0
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