When it comes to Tim Allen, there is always one series that stands out for fans. It’s all about Home Improvement, and if we can get a reunion, we’ll take it. The good news is that it’s possible in Shifting Gears season 2.
Shifting Gears was one of those shows that got a great start, but it started to dwindle in the linear ratings. It took some time for ABC to renew it, and in the end, we got the great news, and now we’re looking forward to the return of the series on Wednesday, Oct. 1. It’s the series premiere that Home Improvement fans will want to tune into.
Patricia Richardson and more set to guest star in Shifting Gears season 2
Patricia Richardson, who played Tim’s on-screen wife, Jill, in Home Improvement, is set to guest star in the premiere of the sophomore season. On top of that, we’ll get Richard Karn (yes, Al) and Debbe Dunning (Heidi) in the same episode.
There are no details on who the three will play in the episode, according to Deadline, but they are all set to help Allen’s character, Matt Parker, in an unexpected way. Will that be in the car restoration shop, or will it be to support his relationship with his daughter, Riley, and his grandchildren?
Home Improvement nods are going to be necessary
There’s no doubt that a few nods to the show they all were on together will need to happen. After all, Al was routinely working on fixing the issues that Tim caused throughout his in-show series (and at home). Is it possible that we’ll see the Shifting Gears character do something similar? In Shifting Gears, Allen’s Matt hasn’t come across as incompetent, so that wouldn’t make as much sense. Maybe Karn’s character can come in as someone who needs Matt’s help for once.
Dunning played Heidi from seasons 3 to the end, after Pamela Anderson left after two seasons. Heidi was the model for the in-show series, and it would be great if she helped with some of the marketing material for Matt’s classic car restoration business. After all, Matt’s grandson has tried, but Matt is a little too stuck in his ways and too stubborn to take advice.
Of course, Richardson played Tim’s wife in Home Improvement, and there are sure to be some fun nods that Shifting Gears could do there. What are the chances that this character is someone Matt once had a crush on? Maybe someone Matt could eventually move forward in life with?
Shifting Gears season 2 premieres on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 8/7c on ABC.