Kat Dennings is singing the praises of herShifting Gearsco-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 of2 Broke Girls, which ran for six successful seasons on CBS.Shifting Gearsairs Wednesdays at 8pm ESTon ABC.
In an interview withPeople,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 sinceHome ImprovementandLast 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 onShifting Gearscontinues 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 ClausinThe Santa Clausefilmsand the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Pixar’sToy 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.
Shifting Gears Season 2: Confirmation, Cast & Everything We Know
The Tim Allen-led sitcom Shifting Gears brings the TV legend back for another round, and now ABC has renewed the show for a second season.
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 sitcomRaising Dad. Later, inThe 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.” AsScreenRant’sAna Dumaraog writes in herShifting Gearsreview,Dennings continues to bring her sharp wit and heart toShifting Gears, commending her ease in going"toe-to-toe with a sitcom icon like Allen."
Revisiting the Sitcom Formula With Star Power
Allen’s return to television withShifting Gearsrevisits 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. Whileearly reviews note thatShifting Gearsleans 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, andShifting Gearscould easily become an ABC mainstay.
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.
