We're approaching the time of the year when tension and stress increases and we need laughs wherever we can get them. Sure, the holidays are full of magic and cheer and great food, but it's natural to become overwhelmed and require a reprieve from your favorite sitcom. Unfortunately, Shifting Gears will be making like its title and shifting gears on the ABC schedule.
For the most part, we shouldn't be surprised that the output of new episodes slows down toward the end of the year, but a lot of fans were likely hoping for a couple more shows before the holidays. Shifting Gears has yet to air a Thanksgiving episode, but we're not getting one this year. ABC won't be airing new episodes of the series until December, and there's another break after that!
Is Shifting Gears new on ABC in November 2025?
You heard that right. After airing a new episode on Nov. 5, Shifting Gears season 2 has taken an extended break for the remainder of November 2025. The sitcom starring Tim Allen and Kat Dennings won't be airing new episodes on Wednesday, Nov. 19 or Wednesday, Nov. 26.
In place of a new episode on Wednesday, Nov. 19, ABC will be airing the 59th Annual CMA Awards at 8/9c during the timeslot that typically belongs to Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary. The following week on the night before Thanksgiving, Shifting Gears will be on, but the network is airing back-to-back repeats at 8/9c. If you tune in, keep in mind that the episodes aren't new!
Don't check Hulu for new episodes either because you won't be seeing any until December. Even though Shifting Gears has taken three weeks off in November, ABC brings the show back for the last two episodes of the year on Wednesday, Dec. 3 and Wednesday, Dec. 10. The last new episode of the year is titled "Nutcracker" and will be the sitcom's first ever Christmas episode.
After these two episodes air in December, Shifting Gears season 2 will again be on hiatus to make way for Christmas and New Year's Eve. Like in November, the sitcom takes three weeks off from airing new episodes before the season resumes on Wednesday, Jan. 7. There's a downside to the show's return in the new year that fans also won't like too much either.
Because ABC didn't order a full season, Shifting Gears season 2 only contains 13 episodes, which means when the show returns in January, there will only be five more episodes set to air in beginning of 2026. The season finale is expected to air in February ahead of the season 10 premiere of Scrubs, the fan-favorite series that's returning for a rebooted revival season. Keep watching and streaming in the hopes that ABC renews the show for season 3.
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