There was a time when sitcoms were running the cable TV scene. However, over the last few years, aside from comedy gems like “Abbott Elementary,” there hasn’t been any sitcoms worth watching. I can’t even think of any good TV sitcoms since “The Good Place” or “Superstore” ended a few years ago. I tried “Happy’s Place,” but the comedy felt too forced and like they were trying too hard. (Sorry, Reba!) But that all changed when the new Kat Dennings and Tim Allen show, “Shifting Gears” premiered on ABC earlier this year.
I wasn’t too familiar with Dennings work, but I have watched Allen’s movies and TV shows throughout the years. On a whim, I decided to watch “Shifting Gears” on Hulu because I didn’t have anything on my watch list.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this show! It’s silly, emotional and shows a different kind of family dynamic that wasn’t depicted in Allen’s previous sitcoms, “Home Improvement” and “Last Man Standing.” With the season having just ended last week, I am eagerly awaiting the renewal of the show.
Just like any show, there’s going to be some hits and misses throughout a season. Overall, “Shifting Gears” had more hits than misses. Dennings’ character recently got out of marriage with her loser high school boyfriend and moves back in with her two kids into her dad’s house, played by Allen. The father and daughter often butt heads, but it’s actually really heart-warming to see their relationship progress over the course of the season.
The dynamic between Dennings and Allen seemed so unlikely, but having watched the show, they play off one another perfectly. Their comedic timing is amazing, and their interactions with the side characters is crafted so well.
I enjoy Dennings’ character the most, as she’s dealing a lot with a new life that she chose for herself. She takes a job at a dance studio (she is not a dancer, and they weave that into the storyline in the funniest way), while navigating her relationship with her dad, whom she didn’t have the closest relationship with previously. Allens’ character, while funny, is a typical Tim Allen character, but this time older.
Sitcoms are known for their ensemble casts, and that can sometimes make or break a show. If you don’t have the supporting characters to balance out the main characters, it can get stale. Thankfully, the side characters mesh so well with the main characters that every storyline is seamless and creates that much more entertainment. Dennings’ son is the epitome of a dorky teenager boy that provides a lot of comedic relief, and her daughter is wise beyond her years. Together, the small family provides a lot of comedy within a 23-minute timeframe.
If you’re looking for a fun and humorous show that is focused on family dynamics, this is a great place to start. It’s only ten episodes, so it’s a fast watch that will have you laughing at the character’s antics and dialogue. ABC, I am going to need you to renew “Shifting Gears” asap, please and thank you.
Check out more from Hollywood News Source here.
