Shifting Gears viewers may be stunned to seek out out that the ABC sitcom initially selected to not have Tim Allen‘s character date round earlier than bringing Jenna Elfman again as his love curiosity.
Throughout the Wednesday, February 4, finale of the hit ABC sitcom, Matt (Allen) made an effort to satisfy somebody new after his cut up from Eve (Elfman) — by occurring a conventional values relationship app. TradSwipe didn’t work effectively for Matt, who ended up on a disastrous date with Lynn (Angela Kinsey). He then had an opportunity encounter on the bar with Eve that impressed them to get again collectively following a surprising cut up.
“It needed to be her. It actually needed to be Eve,” showrunner Michelle Nader completely instructed Us Weekly in regards to the plan for Allen’s longterm onscreen love curiosity. “However we’ve a widower — who’s performed by Tim Allen after he has at all times been married on his earlier exhibits.”
Nader famous that there was by no means a plan to have Matt too concerned within the relationship scene, including, “Tim isn’t actually a man that may be comfy relationship a number of girls. The thought was, ‘Ought to we do that present about this older man relationship?’ As a result of clearly it’s going to be about household, inevitably you’re going to get to relationship.”
Shifting Gears broke up Tim Allen and Jenna Elfman‘s characters — however is there an opportunity they might rekindle their romance? The ABC collection marked the primary time Allen has starred on a sitcom the place his character isn’t married. (Allen’s characters on hit sitcoms Residence Enchancment and Final Man Standing have been already in dedicated relationships (…)
Shifting Gears discovered methods to discover Matt’s love life — with out making it the only real focus.
“Within the season 2 finale, that form of date is enjoyable. It was Angela — who’s superb and so humorous — however I don’t suppose that may have labored for Matt’s character each day to be going out or relationship a youthful lady as a result of that’s simply not who he’s as an individual,” Nader defined. “We did have to determine who’s the suitable individual that you just’re going to root for? We caught Jenna after which the magic was there.”
She continued: “I believed it was going to be however then it truly is. They actually love working with one another they usually have a number of chemistry.”
The ABC collection, which premiered in January 2025, marks the primary time Allen has starred on a sitcom the place his character isn’t married. (Allen’s characters on hit exhibits Residence Enchancment and Final Man Standing have been already in dedicated relationships when every collection started.)
After mourning the lack of his spouse, Allen’s character Matt shaped a reference to Eve. The pair dated all through the second season earlier than calling it quits as a result of lengthy distance. They rekindled their relationship in Wednesday’s finale, which changed into Matt agreeing to hitch Eve on the street for her job.
“Tim trusts me after which I belief him. He was the one which stated, ‘I wouldn’t wish to be in an extended distance relationship as a result of I wouldn’t at my age wish to try this,’” Nader famous to Us. “I didn’t perceive however I used to be like, ‘OK, all proper.’ Then we discovered learn how to make that poignant and I believe it labored.”
The Shifting Gears forged has had extra success of their relationship lives than their fictional counterparts. Shifting Gears, which premiered in January 2025, launched Us to a automotive restoration store opened by Tim Allen‘s character, Matt. After reuniting along with his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), the duo work on vehicles —and repairing their relationship. The (…)
Nader revealed that it was at all times the plan to deliver Elfman, 54, again, saying, “Typically in life —particularly as you become old — issues are extra sophisticated than they’re when in your 20s. I at all times needed to respect the truth that Matt was this man who misplaced his spouse. He was a widower and he would nonetheless go to her. I needed to offer him the proper of respect and he wasn’t actually prepared to actually absolutely commit.”
It wasn’t till Elfman’s character was launched that the present developed.
“Let’s simply discuss that magical individual. She was the suitable individual,” Nader shared. “That’s the factor about sitcoms is internal feelings that everyone thinks are actually heightened. However they’re actually heightened in actual moments of actuality — or else they don’t resonate.”
Nader additionally opened up about working with Allen72, to develop the story. “It’s a way of authenticity to his character and who Tim is just too. We’re very completely different, clearly. And we come at it from female and male views,” she added. “Consider me, we return and (forth) with him and I. We positively commute on issues as a result of we each have robust opinions about stuff. Finally, Tim has to play it proper so he needs to be comfy.”
Shifting Gears is presently streaming on Hulu.